On Saturday 24th November 2007 Clonmore Robert Emmets held their annual dinner and presentation in Glenavon hotel.

A good night was had by the many who attended, with a large family and youth attendance being most notable. The room was decked in green and yellow and pride of place was a table of cups including the U16 shield, U21 Ulster, Ladies Ulster, Sigerson and Cathal McCann cup. A booklet welcomed the guests and gave a summary of the GAA in Clonmore since games were first played from around 1917. Two aspects of this history were celebrated on the night, namely 75 years since the club was affiliated to the GAA and 25 years since the club first reached a junior final. The team of `82 were unable to take home the silverware on the day but this era of Clonmore football was undoubtedly the strongest in the history of the club with the team of `73 unbeaten in the league and the `82 team pushing for division one. No small feat for a panel of some twenty players, and in an era when life was very different and at times very difficult.

During the meal there was a slideshow of old photographs and press clippings. After a busy year of being joint manager, and tonight wearing the hat of Chairman, Dominic Molloy welcomed the patrons. He began by mentioning the work put into running the monthly quiz by Oliver Donaghy and “cocktail” Kevin, also the other events which take place in the hall from drama classes to discos. Back in September the community had fun day and we found the fastest man in Clonmore was Kieran Conlon. Thanks were paid to both Kieran and Ciaran Donaghy on their help with the new hall and to Johnny Donaghy for his contribution of the new training pitch. James McBennett and Mary O’Hagan were congratulated on their work with the ladies team. Underage mentors who keep the conveyor belt of talent coming were applauded, and Clonmore had good success with Jodie Nixon U10 player of the year and nothing to separate Ruairi Cunningham and John Dynes as minor player of the year. St. John's also won the U16 North Armagh shield and here again we well represented. On the pitch Adrian O'Donnell was thanked for his help with training the senior team. The year ended with the team holding on to their division three place and a piece of silverware in the Cathal McCann cup, on this occasion Dominic even made a return to the pitch. Well done to both managers for taking on this difficult role and making a success of it, and also the players for keeping the faith. Cooperation and hard work between all in the community was held up as a way forward to continued success. Wives and girlfriends were thanked for their time they gave up on a Sunday. Tribute was paid to the men who played for Clonmore down through the years, at times when life was harder all round, indeed it is doubtful if anyone would now cycle to Lurgan to play a match.

Gerard Cunningham spoke of the pride felt in Clonmore with both Brendan Donaghy and James Grimley on the U21 panel, John Grimley on the minors and Brendan on the senior team. It was a proud day in Ballybofey to see Brendan lineout and more so to see the Irish News award a man of the match. A special presentation was made to mark this, the first Clonmore man to start for Armagh, of a framed man of the match page and a program. A new era of Clonmore football will begin in 2008 with the girls of the newly formed St. Lousie playing in a competition for the first time. The girls designed the logo and their new shirts. Mary O’Hagan was commended for all her hard work on and off the pitch with the St Lousie team.

Out going Armagh U21 manager and now Armagh senior manager Peter McDonnell was a guest and he gave a few words. He made reference to the warmth and affection he felt in the room for the club, and of the instant appeal of the green and gold. There was mention of playing close to the river in Clonmore some years ago and being helped closer to it than he would have liked. As an Armagh minor at 14 he recalled playing against Derry with Gerard Dynes. The importance of small clubs like Clonmore to gel the community was highlighted as being on a par with the church, family and schools. He spoke of being delighted to be invited and wished the minor and U21 lads continued success, pointing out it will be 25 years to go until Clonmore hopefully celebrate their centenary. In respect of the next three years he is looking forward to doing everything he can to meet the challenge ahead and to the prospect of new young players coming through.

It was time for the awards, first of all the `82 team were presented with a medal to mark their achievement on reaching a Junior final and laying down a marker for the present team. Family contribution was highlighted as being a feature of Clonmore teams, right back to 1935 with the family connections evident today. Sean Molloy as captain of that team presented the medals. Brid O’Hagan won the ladies player of the year, the award presented by guest Grange and Armagh ladies player Dervla Toal. Tony McGeown won senior player of the year and Maurice O’Neill as a very important honour won clubman of the year, possibly the first Tyrone man to do so. Well done to all these people as they thoroughly deserved this. Marcella Molloy and Mary O’Hagan were presented with a bouquet of flowers in respect of their work with the ladies team.

This brought 2007 to an end 2008 was looked forward to for well earned rewards and keeping football alive. Having had a chance to reflect on the year it surely must rate as one of the best for the club. With plans for continued development and the heights reached by individual players on the county scene let’s hope next year can be even better. Dancing lasted well into the morning and the year ended on a high note. Thanks to all the patrons who attended including the special guests of honour. There are several spare copies of the booklet and anyone who would like one (free of course) please contact the pro.

Another important event on the horizon is the AGM, on Monday 3rd December at 7.30. Please make an effort to take part as participation off the field is vital part of the club. On a lighter note the monthly quiz continues throughout the winter on the first Friday (7th) of the month at 9.30 with cash and spot prizes and a bit of craic. The monthly children’s disco is held on the second Friday (14th) and this well supervised event has been well attended with everyone welcome. A fundraising event has been organised for Sunday 16th December at 2pm of a Grand Christmas Bazaar, more details to follow.