Freemount named Macra club of the year

THE much-coveted Macra na Feirme club of the year award was won by Freemount, Co Cork, at the organisation’s annual rally in Little Island over the Bank Holiday weekend.

Another North Cork club, Mitchelstown, which was reformed last year, was chosen as the best emerging club.

Nicholas Butterly, Togher, Co Louth, won the best Macra member award from 11 other contestants.

Four of the seven finalists in the AIB club of the year final were from Cork — Mitchelstown (Avondhu), Bantry (Carbery), Freemount (Avondhu), and Glanmire (Seandun).

The other three finalists were from Mountmellick (Laois), Ferbane-Banagher (Offaly) and Moynalty (Meath).

Club of the year Freemount is 50 years in existence and has 68 members, one of the largest in the country.

Nearly 200 past members gathered for the club’s Reeling in the Years dinner dance last December.

The Macra rally at the Radisson Blu Hotel, Little Island, was a spectacular success for the host region, Seandun, which comprises 12 clubs, with Donal Sweeney, Carrigaline, as chairman.

A committee headed by Michelle O’Callaghan, Knockraha, chairperson, Josephine O’Connell, Whitechurch, secretary, Joanne Fleming, Glanmire, PRO and Anne Roche, Kinsale, treasurer, organised the rally, with Dairygold Quality Feeds as main sponsor.

Agriculture Minister Simon Coveney, an ex-Macra member, officially opened the rally, which will be held in Waterford in 2012.