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St. Mary’s Rasharkin held their Annual Dinner Dance at the Elk Toome on Friday past. Over 140 guests, members, players and friends of St.Mary’s attended and enjoyed an evenings’ entertainment.

A power point presentation showing a collaboration of the various photographs taken throughout the past year was shown on three screens throughout the function room.

New Club Chairman Michael Hardy was commendable in his first official duty as Chief of staff with St.Mary’s, he opened the speeches after dinner and spoke of the achievements and the hardships of the club in the past year. He thanked outgoing Chairman Anthony McMullan for his steadying the ship through a difficult twelve months. He encouraged all players, mentors and members to get behind the club and emphasized all the positives within St.Mary’s. Michael said, "this year marks the clubs seventieth Anniversary, our industrious events committee are currently organising and planning events to celebrate this milestone, there will be something for everyone, starting with a concert on 17th March”. Michael said the early indications with the senior football and hurling teams is very positive with the large turn outs at preseason training, long may it continue. He then wished the committee, players, mentors and members good luck for the incoming season before he singled out John McAuley for special recognition for a lifetimes dedication and unwavering service to St.Mary’s following John stepping down as Treasurer after forty six years.

County Football Manager Frank Dawson made his way to the podium; he thanked the club for the invitation and said that this was his first official function since taking his post at the end of last year. Frank talked about the importance of youth within any club, "our juveniles are the life blood of the association we must strive to create opportunities for your underage members, this will pay great dividends in the log run at club and county level”. Frank congratulated Paul Doherty in his achievements and said he hopes to have his services in the coming season. At the minute he said I want to build a top class team worthy of competing at the highest level in the new Casement arena when it opens.   

All Ireland Club winner and Loughgiel Shamrocks Hurling star Martin Scullion was next to address the attendance. He thanked St.Mary’s for the invitation and said it was a tremendous honour to be asked to come. Martin talked about striving for goals and setting standards high, he said he tasted he fair share of disappointments before going on to clinch All Ireland success along with three County and Provincial titles. Martin congratulated St.Mary’s on their appointment of Gregory O’Kane as Hurling manager and said that Gregory is a excellent coach and will bring out the best in Rasharkin to achieve success. Martin then wished all our teams well in the season ahead.

Antrim Chairman Jim Murray was the final speaker, he thanked the club for the invitation adding that he always enjoys Rasharkin’s Dinner. Jim said that St.Mary’s is a thriving and enterprising club with the ability to encourage as many people in the Rasharkin area and community to get involved in clubs activities and events. He added that Rasharkin always had strong characters within ranks that carried out tremendous work for Club, County and Province. Jim concluded and said that the County are indebted to clubs like St.Mary’s that keep pushing forward raising the bar.