Historic night as history of club is launched

Honorary life membership of Trim GAA club was conferred on Seamus Brennan and Frank McCann at Friday night's launch of "Wielding the Ash, Kicking the Leather, A history of Trim GAA, 1896 to 2006". McCann was almost speechless, but recovered sufficiently to treat the audience to a flavour of the content as he outlined how the story of writing the history had evolved over a seven-year period. The impressive 350-page hardback colour publication, that features 17 chapters, each dedicated to particular eras of the club, was selling well at €25 a copy. The packed function room listened attentively to some high quality speakers with LMFM's Brendan Cummins in the role of master of ceremonies. "Great credit is due to the committee who worked hard to get this book published, it wasn't a cheap production and we owe tremendous gratitude to both Frank McCann and Seamus Brennan for their efforts," commented Trim chairman CJ Murtagh. "This started in 2004 when I collected some old photographs, it grew from there," stated co-author Brennan. "This club has touched the whole community over all the decades and that is reflected in the content. "The archives of the Meath Chronicle were invaluable in providing information about the club over the last 100 years and long may that tradition continue, the Drogheda Independent archives were also a rich source of information. "We plan to update the edition in 2016 which will be the next decade (2006 - 2016) and we hope to include a comprehensive roll of honour and a section on the ladies," he added. "I'd like to thank CJ Murtagh for pushing us to get this finished, he suggested that we should finish the project as seven years was long enough so we decided to conclude the last chapter in the year 2006 as that was the centenary of the formation of the first Trim team way back in 1906," commented co-author McCann in a brief address! "This is a book that will be important to everyone, Seamus and Frank have done a great job, the club and the people of Trim should be proud of them," stated Colm O'Roukre. "I was here before, back in 1984 playing for Tipperary in a NHL game, the place has changed, I was very impressed with the facilities when I drove in here this evening," stated Nicky English. "You deserve enormous credit for the development of those facilities and for this magnificent book," he added. "There are some tremendous people in this club," former Irish rugby international Ollie Campbell told Brendan Cummins. "This book is a marvellous production, but so too is the record of Ted Murtagh, never missing an All-Ireland final in hurling or football for the last 60 years, also a tremendous achievement. "The book is great, the club has great facilities, it shouldn't be too long before you have some silverware to celebrate," he added. The book charts the club's growth, delves into the reasons behind the establishment of the club, those responsible for its formation and all those who have continued to pursue excellence in Gaelic games during the decades since.