ABBEY GRAMMAR SCHOOL THANKS LAST YEARS UPPER SIXTH MACRORY CUP FOOTBALLERS AT A DINNER DANCE WITH SPECIAL GUEST KEVIN MORAN.

The Abbey Past Pupils Sports Association organised a very successful Dinner Dance and Cabaret at the Carrickdale Hotel on Friday last 17th September. It was an opportunity for the Abbey community to gather and say "thanks" to last years upper sixth MacRory Cup footballers that are leaving the school. The twelve pupils that are getting ready to begin a new phase of their lives by starting university courses within the next few weeks were presented with Abbey football jerseys by special guest Kevin Moran. These future stars can keep the Abbey 'colours flying' by wearing these jerseys at their respective university football training sessions.

Special guest Kevin Moran spoke to the large crowd focusing on the highlights in his career. He began by discussing how he won two All-Ireland medals with Dublin in 1976 and 1977. He mentioned his disappointment of not winning the 'three-in-a-row' when Dublin was beaten in the '78 final, and paid tribute to a magnificent Kerry team at the time. Kevin then moved the focus to his soccer career, discussing how he had been invited to a trial with Manchester United, the offer of a contract, his dilemma of leaving 'The Dubs' or becoming a 'Red Devil' and then winning two FA Cup winners medals with United in 1983 and 1985. He relayed his annoyance at not getting a medal in one of these matches when he had been sent off , only to have it presented to him the following season after a lot of media pressure. He had fond memories of his days with The Republic of Ireland especially representing his country in the 1990 and 1994 World Cup Finals.

Compere for the evening was UTV's Adrian Logan who kept the craic going referring to his beloved Tyrone whenever he could. Kevin Moran then invited the audience to ask him questions and Adrian Logan operated a roving microphone. A lot of interesting questions were asked including; Which medal means the most to you?, Who was your toughest opponent? Who was your most favourite manager? What was the difference between training for Dublin and training for United? and why did Sir Alex Ferguson not renew your contract at the age of 31? However the most humorous interaction between Kevin and his audience was when APPSA committee member Collie Bell realised that he had a lot in common with the Irish International as he too had been torn between Down Minors and Newry Town FC.

There was an unexpected surprise for Mr. Dermot McGovern, Headmaster when he was called to the stage to be presented with an Abbey jersey signed by past pupils that had won All-Ireland medals playing for either Down or Armagh, including DJ Kane captain of Down in 1994 and Kieran McGeeney captain of Armagh in 2002.

An auction for two tickets to a Manchester United game of your choice and a signed football by Kevin Moran was won by Armagh's Joe Kernan and Colin Burns and raised over £1,000.

Before the famous 'Luv Bug' group played a variety of hits spanning the years Galway star Brian Geraghty had the Abbey crowd in stitches as the after dinner speaker. Brian won three All-Ireland medals in Galway's 'Glory Years' of 1964, 1965 and 1966.

The Abbey Past Pupils Sports Association exists to benefit present and future pupils in the pursuit of sporting excellence by providing additional funds for facilities and equipment. A lot of credit must go to its Chairman Aidan O'Rourke with his hard working committee that organise numerous events every year for the benefit of the school. Indeed people are still talking about the Gala weekend trip to the City West Hotel in Dublin last March that was organised by the APPSA.