Captains Letter's 2007

20th November 2006

A Chairde,

On remembering this very special Sean Chairde, let me begin by touching on the real winner of this year’s fantastic event. The friendship.

As we all travelled with Colm so much on our minds this year I personally think his verve and his love of "the social element" of the Sean Chairde was done the justice that both he and it deserved. I was expecting quite a sombre occasion but was delighted to have experienced the comradery and friendship between the two teams. Although he was sorely missed there is little doubt his spirit was there alive and well with us.

Our sincere thanks go to both Paul and Sean for keeping up the family tradition of talking a great game while in the bar at 5am imagining a great win and swearing by their ability to overcome any challenge they may face……….and then arriving on the 1st tee late!! Pure genius!! On a serious note thank you guys for coming down, it was no doubt very difficult to be reminded so much of Colm but you can now see what the event meant to him and what a huge part of it he is. It was a pleasure to have you both there, long may it continue.

Congratulations to our winning captain this year Mr Karl Butler, such calm vision and planning on scraps of paper in the bar 5 minutes before tee off, a picture of serenity!!!! Commiserations to the losing captain Mr Richard Taylor, such preparation, loss of sleep, head scratching, rallying of the troops, worrying, second guessing, over analyzation, anger management and all of this six months before the event, shall definitely not be seen again!!! Congratulations to you both and well done. Also a very well done to our adopted English man Mr Stanley with his spectacular display of grit and determination in taking home the coveted M.V.P. prize. I was pursuing it myself but alas “Mr cigarette in the mouth while I put it to 2 feet” Byrne put an end to that for me!!

I think the winner of “Norway” deserves his own paragraph!! Well done to Johnny (clink clank) Hayes on a sterling performance of complete determination and swing analysis for no result!!! Colm would have been very proud of handing the hat over at the speeches!! It’s noted that Johnny hasn’t mentioned the Sean Chairde ONCE in the office since his demise!!! A bit harsh you may think coming from his own brother but listening to his slagging 365 days is not very pleasant!!

A very well deserved and special thank you to Barry Nestor (apart from the pink shirts!!) without whose organisation and commitment, the Sean Chairde would be a very, very differen’t event i.e. a complete sham!! His dedication is proven yet again with next years event, details of which are attached to this letter………believe you me it promises to be fantastic. Also to the usual suspects Shane O’Reilly, Robert Hussey, and Alan Vard thank you all for the commitment and organisation, it wouldn’t happen without you.

Now lads lets cut to the chase. A bashing. A bashing is what comes to mind; an absolute lesson in golf was given this year. As incoming captain I have already been subjected to the usual excuses and finger pointing (Robbie Hussey in particular) of which I choose to ignore, as to be honest, unless we play off scratch and don’t turn up for the 1st round, I really cant see a way for you guys to lift the cup!!! As I have no doubt that any suggestion I have to remedy the obvious difference in class between the two teams will be completely ignored I shall be staying out of all negotiations. (until such time as I disagree with what is being said…of course!!) Maybe we should start a suggestion box!!

Last acknowledgments and welcomes to Mr Karl “negotiator” James the incoming captain for the losers who has already had a few words in my ear about “player ability” and “handicaps” and the like…can’t wait for more!!! Vicey’s, Cian “any advice” O’Connor and Johnny “full time golfer” Mc Govern.

Anyway, I’ll leave it at that apart from to say thank you all for a very memorable occasion and roll on the four in a row!!!

Marcus.