Write a comment
St Killian's GAC in Whitecross marked a very special milestone on Friday night 13 February, when GAA President Jarlath Burns joined the club at the Canal Court Hotel in Newry for their annual dinner dance and a 50th anniversary tribute to the Reavey brothers.
St Killian's Chairman Kieran Shields looks on.
Photograph: Columba O'Hare/ Newry.ie
The event celebrated a busy and successful 2025 for the club, with achievements across Scór, handball, men's and ladies' football, underage football, social and wellbeing events, and a hugely successful fundraising campaign.
Guests were welcomed by the club's Scór musicians who performed trad music as they arrived, before dinner and an awards ceremony hosted by Claire Shields, Assistant Secretary.
The evening provided an opportunity for St Killian's to commemorate three cherished members, John Martin, Brian and Anthony Reavey, on their 50th anniversary. A special roll of honour was produced listing all the men who have received the prestigious Reavey Brothers Memorial Trophy for senior player of the year since it was first presented by the family in 1976. Photos and keepsakes were on display and memories were shared from the past five decades.
Player.
Chairman Kieran Shields reflected on the tragic losses in the local area during the 1970s and how important the club and the GAA has been in offering support and a sense of community through difficult times. He acknowledged the very significant and positive contribution that the Reavey family have made to St Killian's over the years, before Seamus Reavey presented the 2026 award to Callum Toner.
Club President Sean Reavey paid tribute to John Moley, who was presented with the Pat O'Hanlon Hall of Fame Award. Sean recalled how John started his distinguished involvement with GAA as a player for St Killian's in the 1950s, before taking on many roles throughout the club including chairman and also chairman of both south board and county. He described John as the glue that held St Killian's together in the most difficult days of the 1970s, leading the club with decency, integrity and respect, and being instrumental to important achievements including the development of Pairc Naomh Cillian in 1978 and bringing the Atty Hearty Cup home to Whitecross for the first time.
Player of the Year to Callum Toner
Uachtarán Jarlath Burns recounted his own personal stories of playing football against St Killian's and said he had the utmost respect for the club for promoting all aspects of GAA and offering something for everyone, from football to handball and culture. The president thanked St Killian's on behalf of the GAA for nurturing, protecting and supporting the Reavey family, and paid tribute to both the Reaveys and the family of Majella O'Hare for responding to the tragedies they faced in such a positive way.
Addressing everyone in the room, he said: "You should be proud of what you have achieved, the best is yet to come because in the GAA, the past builds the present, the present builds the future, and the future, with you people in charge, is so bright for the people of Whitecross."
The annual dinner dance at the Canal Court Hotel provided a fitting tribute to the Reavey brothers and recognition of St Killian's continued commitment to their community and the wider GAA family. (more photographs to follow)
- Scór na nÓg quiz team, Armagh County Champions – Cathal McKeown, Ryan McGuinness, Michael McKeown and James McKeown – presented by Cultural Officer Eimear O’Hanlon.
- Scór Sinsear Solo Singing Armagh County Champion Eimear Reavey – presented to her grandmother Roisin Reavey by Cultural Officer Eimear O’Hanlon.
- Special Recognition Award - for achievements in handball - the Doyle family, James and Máighréad and Fíachra Ó Dúill, who this year won County Handballer of the year and all-Ireland senior wallball title adding to his previous titles presented by Chairman Kieran Shields to grandparents Sean and Una Reavey
- U21 Intermediate Championship Shield – presented to Captain Kian Rigley – by P McGuinness, Manager.
- U21 Intermediate Championship Shield Medals – presented by Mark Shields, U21 Management team.
- U21 Player of the Year Oisin Cunningham, presented by P McGuinness, Manager.
- Senior Ladies captain Anna Ferris received the Division 4 League Shield - presented by Caroline McKeown, Vice Chair.
- Senior Ladies Division 4 League medallists, presented by Caroline McKeown, Vice Chair.
- Senior Ladies Most Improved Player of the Year Eimear Cooney – presented by Raymie O’Rourke.
- Senior Ladies Player of the Year Caitlin McSherry – presented by Raymie O’Rourke, Manager.
- Presentation to outgoing Senior Ladies Management, Raymie O’Rourke, Julie Murphy and John Collins by Chairman Kieran Shields.
- Presentation to outgoing Senior Men’s Management, P McGuinness, Shane McSherry, Cathal Reavey, Darren Shields, Paddy Lavelle, Gavin Malone, Nial Boyle by Chairman Kieran Shields.
- Rosemary Ferris Award for Young Personality of the Year – Ruby Murphy presented by Eileen McCann, Secretary.
- Special recognition to Mark Shields, for his service to Armagh GAA – presented by Sean Reavey, Club President.
- Young Senior Men’s Player of the Year AJ McGuinness – presented by Cathal Reavey, Senior Management Team.
- Reavey Brothers Memorial Trophy for Senior Men’s Player of the Year Callum Toner– presented by Seamus Reavey.
- Pat O’Hanlon Hall of Fame Award – John Moley – presented by Sean O’Hanlon.
x
