Tony and Dympna O’Kane behind the Century Bar during their years running the pub
A Christmas Reunion will take place in the Century Bar this Saturday night from 9pm.
The event will see old friends come together for a catch up to reminisce about the old days when the bar was owned by the likes of Tony O’Kane.
Tony will be performing on the night alongside Eamonn McKevitt, with a donation of €5 requested in aid of SOSAD.
Finger food will be served on the night and all are welcome to attend.
The North Louth Hospice Shop on the Ramparts Road
A series of local musicians will be performing in the Lisdoo this evening in an event to raise funds for the North Louth Hospice.
Amongst those set to take the stage are James Humston, Stewart Agnew, Saoirse Kavanagh, Bobby McCarthy and Tony O’Kane.
Admission is €10 payable at the door.
The late Tommy McConville’s close friend Dermot Keely with two of Tommy’s grandchildren at the handing over of his portrait to the County Museum in Dundalk
A portrait of the late Dundalk sporting legend Tommy McConville has been generously handed over to the County Museum, Dundalk.
The painting by Michael Gavan Duffy was auctioned in aid of the North Louth Hospice and Homecare Foundation, in memory of the legendary Dundalk footballer who passed away last October
The painting was successfully purchased for €440 by a group of friends headed by Tony O’Kane and Bill Elliot.
They then approached museum curator, Brian Walsh, with a view to donating the painting to the Museum.
Brian explains: “Tony and Bill came to me saying they wanted to put the painting somewhere that the public, and future generations in particular, would realise Tommy’s legendary contribution to Dundalk FC.
“From a Museum perspective, I accepted the offer straightaway. Tommy McConville was a sportsman of iconic status in Dundalk. His contribution to Dundalk FC – perhaps the town’s flagship sporting organisation – was immense and it is only fitting that his portrait will feature in the Museum in many ways in the years ahead.”
The 50cm x 70cm canvas will now be included in the County Museum Art Collection. This means that it will not be housed in a specific exhibition but will feature in many displays in the Museum’s future.
“We feel that the best way to remember Tommy in the years ahead will be to include the portrait in both Dundalk and sports-related exhibitions.
“In doing so, we will be reminding many visitors of Tommy’s contribution to his hometown and will also hopefully be bringing his story to new audiences in the future, those who may not have been lucky enough to have seen his brilliance on the pitch.”
Thomas McConville Jr, son of the late Tommy McConville, accepts a presentation from the PFAI’s Stephen McGuinness at Oriel Park last night
Dundalk FC continued their preparations for the new campaign with a comfortable 6-0 win over a local selection in the Tommy McConville Memorial Match at Oriel Park last night.
Before the game the PFAI’s Stephen McGuinness – a former Lilywhite – made a presentation to the McConville family honouring Tommy’s contribution to the league over several decades.
All proceeds from the game went to the North Louth Hospice with Bill Elliott, Tony O’Kane and friends paying a remarkable €440 for a portrait of Tommy by local artist Michael Duffy.
On the field it was largely one way traffic.
Dundalk took the lead in the 15th minute when Kurtis Byrne volleyed past Padraig Gorham.
The second goal then arrived in the 33rd minute with local lad Simon Kelly volleying home after getting on the end of a superb cross from Darren Meenan to make it 2-0.
That’s how it remained at half-time with the third goal arriving just after the hour mark when anotehr local – Marc Griffin – made it three with a superb chip over goalkeeper Robert Arthur.
Substitute Richie Towell then made it 4-0 in the 75th minute after slotting home a penalty following a foul on David McMillan.
Meehan then added a fifth three minutes later after getting on the end of a superb cross from Sean Gannon.
Last season’s leading scorer Pat Hoban then added a sixth with the last kick of the game to complete a comfortable win for the hosts.
There was also a late appearance from 16-year-old Irish U-17 international Georgie Poynton, who yesterday signed pro terms with the club ahead of the new season.
Dundalk FC: Cherrie (Sava), Gannon, Gartland, Mountney (Towell), Byrne (Hoban), Rossiter (O’Connor), Kelly, Meenan, Higgins (O’Donnell), Horgan (McMillan), Griffin (Poynton).
Tommy McConville XI: Gorham (Arthur), McCartney, Hutchinson, O’Kane, O’Callaghan, McArdle (Duffy), Fisher, Lynch, Smith, Clarke (Ward), McSorley.
A Century Bar Reunion has been planned for Friday January 31st.
The event is being organised by Gerry Duffy, Paul Watters and Leo Cosgrove, with all ex-Centurions welcomed back on the night – especially those who drank there while the pub was run by Tony O’Kane.
Tony, who is well known in local soccer circles for his involvement with Dundalk and Glenmuir football clubs, ran the iconic Roden Place pub for a number of years before selling up in 2001.
All are welcome to attend on the night, with proceedings getting underway at 8.30pm. As well as a great night’s craic there will be finger food and music, as well as plenty of reminiscing and catching up.
Tony and Dympna O’Kane behind the Century Bar during their years running the pub
Talk of the Town 