The Michael Cusacks GAA Club held their annual dinner dance on Sept 20th last at the Gaelic club in Devonshire Street, Surry Hills, Sydney. It was truly a night to remember with over 100 people attending the function, which rocked late into the night.

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Every year at the end of a long season the various GAA clubs hold their annual dinner at which they get a chance to reflect on the year that passed, thank those who helped and supported and look forward to another year of football and hurling.

The Michael Cusacks club had another good year this year winning the preseason and coast tournaments in men's football and contesting many finals through out the year. This was one reason to celebrate on Saturday night. Another far more important reason was outlined by the men's coach Darren Kierse when the correctly summed up that a club like this is more than just winning, it's a chance to have some fun and meet some wonderful people. Sat night was certainly a night for that.

The pre-function drinks were held in Durty nellies where all the lads looked dashing in their Sunday best while the ladies stole the show with a wonderful display of fashion and glamour. Following a few nerve settling drinks the party moved onto the Gaelic club for festivities proper. The Gaelic club looked marvellous and was a credit to all who helped decorate and lay out the venue for the dinner. The walls were decorated red and white with balloons galore and photos of the various teams donning the walls.

Pre dinner nibbles were served to all and a few more drinks were had to get the atmosphere flowing. Committee members Padraig Hurley and Betty Servis commenced proceedings by welcoming the 100 strong group and wished all an enjoyable evening. Food was served and the wine corks popped and some background music ensured that all were well entertained.

Once all the culinary delights had been sampled and scoffed all that remained before the tables were moved back and the music cranked up was for the various prizes to be given out and the fund raising raffle to be held

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Padraig Hurley commenced by thanking all the sponsors who had been so wonderful and supportive to them through out the year and looked forward to another successful and rewarding relationship in 2004. Rosmon construction sponsored the coast jerseys and was thanked by Padraig. Scruffy Murphies were represented by Sean Fitzgerald and he was thanked for his wonderful support. Club sponsor, Durty Nellies represented by Zel who has been wonderful to Cusacks was hearty thanked. The other club sponsor the Illinois hotel was represented by Ned and Pam Sheehy and was thanked for their wonderful support and excellent working relationship. A warm felt thanks to all was expressed.

Padraig then took the opportunity to thank those who had a put a huge effort into the running of the club with the last year. The committee, Betty, Bernie, Dee, Neryl, Wenona, Quanah and Conor who work so effectively, the trainers and managers who train the team and attend games week in week out, those who help with referee and canteen duties and finally those players who commit there time and effort to further the game here in NSW. Without those we would have no games, no dinner dance, no craic. To all of them a heart-felt thanks was expressed.

The attention then focussed to the players who excelled through out the year with the naming of the Managers and player's player of the year for all 3 clubs. The ladies were first off with Quanah McBride presenting the managers player of the year to the one and only Sinead Griffin. Sinead while lost for words returned the favour and presented Quanah with a beautiful present from all the ladies team for his huge effort in training and coaching the ladies team this year. Even though some time Quanah "only had seven of them" at training it was still worth it were his exact words.

Sinead then as captain presented the Players player of the year to that west Cork lady, that Killbrittin star Mary Sexton - two Cusack greats side by side.

It was then the opportunity of the footballers to do likewise and Darren Kierse took great pleasure in presenting managers player of the year to none other than Mick Hughes. Mick thanked all those who were involved in Cusacks and looked forward to the year ahead. It was then the turn of team captain Jerry " still around" Lavelle to present the Players player of the year. There were resounding cheers of approval as the player's player of the year went to Peter Devitt. Dublin man Peter has a great year and despite pulling a hamstring in the championship semi-final played a wonderful part in Cusacks 2003 football campaign.

Last and by no means least was the opportunity of the hurlers to present the trophies to two players who excelled throughout the year. Neilus Murphy presented the mangers player of the year went to the one and only, that legendary half back Pierse Kennedy. Pierse a man of few words but words of worth, thanking the trainers and coaches and all involved with the teams for such an enjoyable year with cusacks. The last trophy of the night was presented by Conor Bourke to a club legend, a Cusacks man through and through. The player's player of the year went to of course that man Haulie Kenny.

The draw for prizes was then held and Betty thanked all those who bought tickets and helped run the raffle. She also thanked those who had kindly given spot prise of t-shirts, dinners and much more.

The committee then had a surprise in store for all who attending, something off the wall a little but the craic was mighty and so the auction had to be held. 3 beautiful ladies and 3 handsome Cusack lads were to be auctioned to the highest bidder, the one who bid the most had to take the lovely damsels for dinner while those who bought the lads can do as they will. "Work them hard!!!" were the shouts from the floor.
Davenna Doyle and Seanie Fitz were wonderful auctioneers for the night and an amazing $600 plus was raised for the Salvation Army. Many thanks must go to all. Of course if you want to know who bid for who and who in fact was being bid for, it's a pity you were not there. The next best thing is to check out our website www.michaelcusacks.com I'm sure that info will appear there soon.

After the auction there were some wonderful songs being sang with the audience being treated to great entrainment by the people who bravely sang and did the club proud. A resounding thanks to all.

By this stage of the night most of the merry guests where eager to strut their stuff on the dance floor so the tables and chairs were swapped for a late 80's CD and a few dance moves that must have come from FAME or top of the pops…" Go ya good thing ya " was heard more than once. Dance moves Pat Kenny would have been proud of. The dancing continued long into the night, with camera's flashing and the floorboards creaking…

After the Gaelic club shut its doors the party was still swinging and after taxis were commandeered the group found itself in the Forbes hotel. Most sang and danced the night away and others the day after as well. Reports say that some ladies continued long into the Sunday… Mighty.

A huge thanks to all who helped. The State games should see some similar action once it finishes and Cusacks look forward to next year, another round of games another dinner, another wonderful night, another wonderful year.
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