Tuesday, November 18, 2014
The 6th Annual Sean Tallon Tournament
AOH of Greater New York Sponsors 6th
Annual Sean Tallon Tournament
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| The FDNY Ceremonial Unit and Color Guard at Gaelic Park |
The life and legacy of a New York City Firefighter who was
killed on September 11, 2001 was celebrated in grand fashion as AOH County Boards
and Divisions from around The New York City area teamed up to sponsor a region
wide Gaelic sports tournament which featured over 250 youngsters in an all day
event.
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| Tough Competition at Gaelic Park in the Sean Tallon Tournament |
The 6th Annual Firefighter Sean
Tallon Memorial Tournament welcomed over 24 youth teams (Under-8) from New
York, New Jersey and Connecticut competing in Irish Football and Hurling. The tournament was operated in conjunction
with The New York GAA Minor Board and was held at Gaelic Park in the Bronx.
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| Young Hurlers at the Sean Tallon Tournament |
The tournament was originally founded by
Division #1 in Yonkers to promote Irish Culture and to honor a local hero killed on
September 11th. Sean Tallon
was a U.S. Marine Reservist and a member of FDNY Ladder 10 in Manhattan, whose firehouse is located
directly across the street from The World Trade Center.
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| The Tournament is held to Honor Firefighter Sean Tallon of Yonkers |
The
tournament was held as a small local event involving only 4 teams for the first
5 years. However, the future of the tournament was put in doubt this year due
to the fact that the field in which the event was held had to be closed due to
renovations. An opportunity arose for
the AOH to sponsor a much larger regional tournament, but the cost of hosting
an event of that size was to big for one Division to handle. Division #1 reached out to its neighboring
AOH County Boards for help. By
the time the tournament was scheduled to be held, the New York, Queens, Bronx and Westchester County Boards, as
well as Division #18 in Peekskill all joined as tournament co-sponsors. “The
response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic” said Division One President
Kevin Ellis, “They saw the potential for this to become a truly great
regional event and got behind us to ensure this tournament would continue.”
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| The Family of Sean Tallon present Awards at the Sean Tallon Tournament |
The FDNY Ceremonial Unit Color Guard
participated in the event for the first time this year, and the family of Sean
Tallon also was on hand for the awards presentations. The AOH now has a very large and visible
event on the GAA Calendar in New York, and additional AOH Divisions have also
expressed interest in joining as sponsors for next years tournament. “This event will now continue to grow
and become bigger each and every year” said Ellis, “The great relationship that we have established between
the AOH and the GAA Minor Board will ensure that both organizations become stronger.”
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| All Players Received a Medal for Taking Part in the Tournament |
Special thanks to The Tallon Family, FDNY Commissioner
Daniel Nigro, The FDNY Ceremonial Unit & Color Guard, The GAA Minor Board
President David McIntyre, The AOH New York County Board President Tom Bierne,
The AOH Queens County Board President John Manning, The AOH Bronx County Board
President Robert Nolan, The AOH Westchester County Board President Aidan O’Kelly
Lynch & AOH Division #18 Peekskill President Vic Versace.
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| 4 County Boards and 2 Divisions Teamed Up to Sponsor the Tournament |
Saturday, November 1, 2014
President's Message November 2014
PRESIDENT’S
MESSAGE
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| Division One President Kevin Ellis |
November 2014
Brothers,
AOH Division
One had a very busy month this October, so busy that it could have been
mistaken for March! I cannot be more
proud of how our members responded and supported all the events that were held
and appeared at all the places that we needed to be. Let’s have a recap.
The month
started off with a crazy weekend.
Several of our members attended the Aisling Center Dinner Dance where we
presented a $3,000 pledge to the center.
On that Sunday, Division One had 15 members present for The Annual
Respect Life Mass at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and breakfast. Later that day we attended The American Irish
Association’s Dinner dance and were presented The Irish Community Service Award
for all the great work that our members perform for our community all year
long. Great job brothers!
We had some sad
news this past month as long time Division One member Tom Hanley passed away,
please keep Tom and his family in your prayers.
There was also a terrible break-in and theft that occurred at Sacred
Heart Church. The thieves stole the
large cross that hung over the altar, all of the chalices and ciboriums, and
they also caused damage to two of the stained glass windows. This is an outrageous act that was
committed. Brother Jack McDonald has
been in constant contact with Sacred Heart and will have a full report at our
membership meeting with ideas on how we as an organization can help replace any
of the stolen items.
I attended the
Westchester County Board meeting and was given details on our upcoming AOH County
Dinner dance preparations for January.
Once again, the Westchester County President Aidan O’Kelly Lynch and his
committee are putting together a wonderful event, and I will share those
details at the meeting.
I have some
truly exciting news concerning the Annual Firefighter Sean Tallon Tournament
for 2015! Since we had decided to expand
the tournament and reach out for additional sponsors within the AOH, I have
been amazed with the enthusiastic response from the different County Boards and
Divisions willing to join us as partners.
As it stands right now, Division One will be joined by The New York,
Bronx, Queens and Westchester County Boards.
Division 18 in Peekskill also joined as a full sponsor. This has exceeded my highest hopes in
ensuring that The Sean Tallon Tournament continue for this year and many more
years to come. The tournament promises
to become a major event, and I hope as many members come out and join us at
Gaelic Park on November 15th.
I cannot remember when so many different groups within The AOH came
together to sponsor a single event, and the support that we are now receiving
will certainly get attention around New York and beyond.
Finally, we
will be holding officer nominations for the next year at our meeting, it has
been an honor and a privilege to serve as your Division President for the last
several years, and I ask for your continued support in 2015. It is my hope to continue to build on the
tremendous success that we have achieved, and I am confident with your support
that there is nothing we cannot accomplish.
Yours in Our Motto,
Kevin Ellis, President
Division One, Yonkers
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| Flyer for the 6th Annual Firefighter Sean Tallon Tournament for 2014 |
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