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A glittering night of stars; (mentions nIcky)
Topic Started: Aug 1 2007, 11:12 AM (140 Views)
JoanneVIP
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THE BOSS
A glittering night of stars
Wednesday June 20 2007

Top names turn out to toast Gary Kelly's work

By Angela McCormick

From the Taoiseach to Ireland manager Steve Staunton, the top names in Irish politics, sports and showbusiness paid tribute to Drogheda's own hero Gary Kelly on Friday night.

Co Louth Golf Club, Baltray, hosted to a galaxy of stars as the annual celebrity golf classic in aid of the Gary Kelly Cancer Support Centre, became a tribute evening to the man who made it all possible.

550 people attended the biggest sit down meal yet held in the north east in a glittering marquee in the grounds of the club to mark Gary's retirement from football.

It was a brilliant night that ranged from a personal appearance by Westlife's Nicky Byrne to a satellite link ups with An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern and tv stars Podge and Rodge among others.

Nicky Byrne was the surprise of the night. It is little known that the Westlife singer once cleaned Gary's boots as an apprentice at Leeds United and returned to present them to the soccer star polished up as ever!

'The younger lads loved Gary. He was always good to the Irish players coming up, and he was by far the best tipper!' said Nicky.

Nicky was given a garda escort to and from the massive gig because he was back on stage within the hour with Westlife singing at his father-in-law's inauguration party in Dublin!

And it also saw soccer's famous three amigos from the 1994 World Cup, Gary, Phil Babb and Jason McAteer reunited on stage.

Among the many distinguished guests were Miriam Ahern, football legend Paul McGrath and Republic of Ireland manager Steve Staunton and former Celtic boss Lou Macari.

Gary is now hanging up his football boots after a remarkable career as a Leeds United and Republic of Ireland player.

The cancer support centre that bears his name has provided help and support free of charge over the past three years and has received over 10,000 visits.

As well as being a fundraiser for that very worthy cause, Friday night was a celebration of the life and career of Gary and his charity.

There to talk about Gary Kelly, the man, the footballer and the charity worker were Leeds United legends TV soccer commentator John Giles, former manager Eddie Gray and Gary McAllister.

As well as a host of other soccer stars, Olympic medal winners Michael Carruth and Ronnie Delaney, Kerry GAA legends Jack O'Shea, Mikey Sheehy and Ogie Moran as well as Irish international rugby player Shane Horgan, were just some of the other leading sportsmen lending their support.

Guests at the sumptuous meal were treated to a video history of Gary's football career both as a Leeds United player and his time on the pitch representing Ireland in two soccer world cup championships.

Goodwill messages came via video from Gary's many friends and former team mates at Leeds including Michael Duberry, Lee Bowyer and Mark Viduka.

Though unable to attend Friday night's tribute they wanted to wish him well on his retirement from the game.

As did all the 550 guests at the event who included representatives from almost all the leading businesses and companies in the north east.
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Nicky's Angel
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Sara
Thanks for posting Jo
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jlovenicky
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Jacqueline
Thanks hunnie :D

"Nicky Byrne was the surprise of the night"

Can he be mine surprise too?
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JoanneVIP
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THE BOSS
and mine, i dont like surprises but hes one i wouldnt mind having
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jlovenicky
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Jacqueline
Yes :D Me too!!
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JoanneVIP
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THE BOSS
lol
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jlovenicky
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Jacqueline
He can come with mine birthday in a gift and then he can spring there out :P Great surprise :D :D
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JoanneVIP
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THE BOSS
yeah, whens your birthday x
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