Ulster GAA Writers’ Association
Quinn Group
The John McAviney Memorial Golf Tournament.
The first John McAviney Memorial Golf Tournament was staged at his beloved Clones
Club in May when 111 competitors teed off in the hunt for one of the many prizes
on offer. It was tantamount to the respect and love that the whole country had for
John that practically every county in Ireland was represented at the event which
ended with a prize-giving function in Stookies, where Martin Gleeson, representing
the organising committee,
welcomed all the guests.
The John McAviney Memorial Trophy,
created by Yoram Drori of Celtic Arts Studio, was presented to the overall winner,
Owen Hamilton, by John's wife, Eithne, and John;’ mother, Sally. The other prize-winners
were Sean Farmer, Tony Duffy, Francis Boylan, Noel Brady and David Lennon in that
order. Non-golfers awards went to Mannix Keenan and Cillian McAviney, while Desmond
Ward won the Young Player award. Nearest to the Pin winners were Rosie Ryan and Seamus
McQuillan.
Ulster Council vice-president Martin McAviney, brother of the late John,
introduced the special guest for the evening who was Gráinne McIlwaine, formerly
from Scotstown who now lives in the Connemara Gaeltacht. Gráinne is a freelance producer
and presenter with TG4 and once wished John well, during a GAA Beo broadcast, when
he was ill.
By Tony McGee
The winner of the John McAviney Memorial Golfing event was Eoin Hamilton from Latton. Eoin was presented with his award by Eithne McAviney, John's wife, and John's mother, Also present were Una Cagney, Gráinne McElwaine and Emmett McAviney.
Photo by Philip Fitzpatrick.