On Thursday night December 5th ,at Racket Hall Hotel, the Roscrea Hurling Club, in the presence of special guest Brendan Cummins, launched their ninth edition of ”AYear in the Red”. Running to twenty A4 size pages, the review newsletter is a tremendous record of the club’s activities, from the Under 6s to Senior level.
The contents include an address by the Chairman, Chris Neville, whose late father, Jimmy ,gave great service to the club, especially during the construction of the pavilion ( 1979/80) .Chris reflects on the year and thanks everyone who helped the club in its work. There is a review of the season’s activities, by the club’s first female Runai, Pauline Martin – O’ Rourke, in which she appeals to members to increase their commitment in the coming year as we strive to make progress. Pauline also highlights the importance of the club’s plan for future development, which is led by ’ The Premier Plan’.
The refurbishment work on the club pavilion, including the dressing rooms is also recorded and the completion of this task was a source of satisfaction to players, officers, committee and club members.
Six Secondary Teachers, including former Irish Rugby International Seamus Dennison , are honoured in verse and they also received special appreciation awards for their promotion of hurling over the years. Schools activity is also covered with special reports on the three Primary schools and on Colaiste Phobal . The St Cronan’s Camogie club, Inane Rovers Gaelic football club and the Cul Camp are also featured. There is an extensive article on Mick Minogue ,in the ”Red heroes of the past ” series. Mick won five County Senior Hurling titles , two Munster and one All Ireland title with Roscrea, before emerging as one of the great Coaches in the county’s history.
The ‘Down memory lane’ page focuses on the club’s success in 1962/63 .The photograph of the 1962 Minor Hurling team will rekindle many memories.
Deceased club members are remembered fondly in the Obituary section. Liberally served by black and white (41) and colour (16) photographs, with four full colour pages, the publication is discreetly supported by page sponsors, which ensured that the newsletter could be sold for a very reasonable Euro 4. The front cover carries impressive colour photographs of the Junior B Hurling team, which won Tipperary, Munster and All Ireland honours, along with the Under 14 team ,which won the North Tipperary title.
Congratulations to this progressive club, which previouly published ‘A Selected Club History’ (1980) and” The Red Years” (1984).
By Jonathan Cullen Sun 15th Dec
