By John O'Mullane

A big crowd is expected at the local GAA Club House on Friday, 8th of December when the Newtown players who brought the Sean Og Murphy Cup to the club this year for the first time in it’s history, will host a "Thank You Reception", for all the sponsors who contributed to the players training fund throughout the year.

In conjunction with http://www.newtownshandrum.com ( Newtown Official Club Web Site), there will be a special presentation on the night for both "Player of the Year" and also "Score of the Year" as voted by you, the general public, via the clubs ever popular Web Site.

There will also be the chance for all present to win a Hurley, Jersey and Sliothar signed by the victorious team and management of 2000. On the night, light refreshment will be provided courtesy of Newtown Camogie Club.

Sponsorship today pays a very important part in the success of most sporting organisations, but because the GAA is still an amateur body it makes the viability of such as small club as ours vital. For a Club to succeed nowadays at the highest level it is imperative the players get the best possible treatment. By treatment I don’t mean in financial terms but more physically and mentally. In these departments the Newtown Lads had the best in the county at both.

Mentally they were always in the right frame of mind, both on the day of the match, thanks in no small part to the management team of Simon Morrissey, Jim Coughlan and especially Bernie O’Connor, but also these players conducted themselves admirably off the field throughout the year.

Physically, they also got the best of treatment form both Liam Riely and Jimmy McEvoy, both professional Physios, brought in both on match day and also the weeks leading up to all games, to make sure players are in the best possible physical shape.

Well, you might say what does this have to do with the Sponsors ? The answer is everything. How many clubs do you know, apart from the big town and city clubs, who could afford to pay for the services of such professionals twice a week for 4 months of the year ? This is only one expense accrued throughout the year, I could go on Hurleys, Sliothars, Medical...

The reason Newtown can afford the best for it’s players is in no small part due to the generous sponsorship from both businesses and individuals, both financially and also by donations of gear etc., who look for nothing in return for their contribution.

On Friday 8th of December the players, who provided us all with memories that won’t be forgotten for many a year, get their chance to say ‘Thank you" to all those who made history possible.

COME ALONG, EVERYONE IS WELCOME.