March 2014 & 2015
Aogans Homecoming Celebrations
Cavan GAA – Aogan elected President the Ulster Council, 2010
| Ulster GAA Convention in Drumgoon: On Saturday, February 27th, 2010 Drumgoon Éire Óg co-hosted the Ulster GAA Convention in the Parish, aling with Cavan GAA County Board. Following extensive preparations, events got under-way at 11am on Saturday morning with Mass in Irish at St Michaels Church, Cootehill, concelebrated by Fr Owen Collins PP (Cathaoirleach Cootehilll Celtic), and Fr Eddie Burns (Uachtaran Drumgoon Éire Óg). While the provincial and county standards were flown outside the church, the extensive congregation representing all nine counties of Ulster as well as many local parishoners and clubmen, were treated to the musical talents of the Cornafean Scór troupe. Convention itself got underway at 12:30 in the Errigal Country House Hotel, Cavan Road, Cootehill, hosted by outgoing Uachtarán Comhairle Uladh, Mr Tom Daly, and including local dignatories Winston Bennet (Chairman Cavan Co. Council), Jack Keyes (Co. Manager), Michael McCarey (Chairman of Cootehill Town Council/Commissioners) Patrick Moynagh (Cathaoirleach Droim Dhúin Éire Óg) and Tom Reilly (Cathaoirleach Coiste Bhreiffne). At 4pm, local gael and Drumgoon Éire Óg clubman and Officer, Mr Aogán Farrell was elected to the position of Uachtarán, Comhairle Uladh, the first from his club and from the region to hold ths illustrious position. In their reflections, both his club and county chairmen reflected on Aogáns core integrity and his firmly established roots in the club and parish structures of the GAA. Tom Daly, outgoing President of Ulster Council noted that Aogán 22 years of service to Ulster ouncil were exemplary, and he looked forward with confidence to Aogáns term of office with great hope and enthusiasm. In a stirring address to congress, the new President pledged himself to the Club and Parish origins of the Association, and noted the central role played by the GAA in maintaining and in many cases establishing, the social framework upon which the state is based. He further noted that the GAA is a huge contributor to the health and welfare programmes of communities not only on the island of Ireland, but further afield in the UK, US and increasingly in Asia. This work, he pledged, will continue during his term in office. The inauguration of Aogán Farrell to the Office of Uachtarán, Comhairle Uladh was shared with his wife Frances, their Children, Niamh, Cliona, Aogán Óg and Conal, his father Aiden, his mother Katie and his brothers, sisters and many clubmates who joined convention for the event. New Uachtarán, Comhairle Uladh On Saturday evening last, the club men and women of Drumgoon Éire Óg gathered en masse at the White Horse Hotel to meet, greet and celebrate with the newly elected President of Ulster GAA Council. In the company of the Chairmen of neighbouring clubs, Cootehill Celtic (Fr Owen Collins) and Kill Shamrocks (Mr Joe McQuillan), Aogán and his family, along with An Ard Stiuritheor, Comhairle Uladh, Mr Danny Murphy were greeted by over one hundred well-wishers. A memorial plaque was unveiled to mark the very special occassion and Aogán’s club, Drumgoon, presented the new President with a special award to mark the occassion. Following the formal presentations, the gathering of players, officials, family and supporters relaxed into the evening, accompanied by the music of local traditional musicians Phil O’Brien and Tommy Reilly, with stories, reminiscences and song reaching into the early hours of Sunday morning. Aogan elected 38th President of the GAA From Maudabawn, Drumgoon in county Cavan, Ó Fearghaíl was the first Cavan president in the 130-year history of the GAA. He is the seventh man from Ulster to have acquired the role. He worked his way from his native Drumgoon club to the top position of the GAA and has served at all levels with club, county, province and national levels. O Fearghail is a primary school principal who has also runs many businesses with his wife. Together they managed the family shop and post office and jointly built and ran a Cultural Centre in his native County Cavan. He is also a local historian who has published local histories and is a contributor to historical seminars and heritage events. He was also for many years principal of a Gaeltacht summer college in Gortahork, County Donegal where he spends much free time. As a GAA coach, he coached his club under 12s for 25 years and built the club from junior “also-rans” to one of Cavans strongest club units. He played hurling with Erins Hope at St Patricks College, Drumcondra and has also played handball at the highest levels. O’ Fearghail officially took over as GAA president on 28 February 2015 at the GAA’s Annual Congress at the Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan |