Dan is everywhere!

One of the happier dividends from Dan's passing has been the close bond forged between 2 of his best friends either side of the Irish Sea, myself and one Mr Brian Conway. 

A long mooted 'Walking-Guinness-Philosophy'get together finally happened last weekend, during which I had the pleasure of climbing some of the most spectacular (& challenging) peaks in Donegal.. 

Last Friday afternoon, we set off up Mount Errigal, the jewel of the Derryveagh Mountains. After spending the first half hour or so catching up on our news - and during a steep part of the climb - we inevitably started talking of memories 'Dan'. Moments later, as we stopped for a quick breather & to admire the view, Brian suddenly pointed to the etching on the stone I was standing upon.

Really, you couldn't make it up....

D-E-V-I-N-E

Having had a good old smile - we agreed it was unlikely that Dan had etched this personally.. but resolved to have one extra Guinness to toast the man himself in Annora's Portnoo later that evening... 

ps: For the record, I employed many of Dan's favourite expletives when I discovered Mr Conway's penchant for dizzying narrow ridges at Slieve League the following day... 

Dan's 50th Birthday 4-Mar-2014

Dan should have been celebrating his 50th birthday with us all today.. and boy would he have done. 

In my quest to keep his memory alive - do take a moment to think of him today - and hopefully raise a smile in his memory. 

Still missed every single day (nearly 5 years on) by so many. 

"Happy Birthday matey"

Preno

ps: Do post a message below - I know Kim takes great comfort from knowing how much Dan meant to his friends.. 

THE 2013 MATCH FOR DAN - ANOTHER BIG SUCCESS...

By common consent a really enjoyable day on Saturday, with nearly £300 raised for Diabetes UK - and DJ's Planners well and truly avenging last year's defeat with a 3-0 victory. 

the teams.. and too many dandelions

The turnout for what is Year 4 was fantastic, thanks from Kim especially for continuing to help remember Dan in such an fitting way. 

The game saw the Planners dominating the first half having gone ahead on 20 mins, before striking again soon after.

It could have been different, with Terry's unfortunate pot hole injury meaning a missed penalty, and the lack of goal line technology meaning we will never know whether Stan's header was over the line or not. :-)

A great offside (!) goal from Frank sealed the game, but the accies rallied well with a couple of good chances and the Stan header. Honourable mention also for the ever entertaining tussle between Keith & Eamon. 

All being well - we'll be back together next year for more fun and creaky joints..

DAN'S MATCH 19 MAY 2012: ACCIES 2 PLANNERS 0

After successive draws in the opening 2 years of this fixture, a decisive result at last with what was by common consent a well deserved win for the Accies. 


Fittingly, Devine Junior opened the scoring midway through the first half with a rasping low drive.. and Ian Stephenson added a second early in the second period. The Planners rallied second half, but their impressive pre match warm up proved no match in the end for the Accies, boosted by the return of young McDowell & Sadler.


Apologies were received from Big Bob who was suffering at Wembley seeing the Tangerine Dream fade away for this season... and from Steve Hall who was not only celebrating the Hammers promotion - but also attending the birth of his new daughter...

Highlight off the pitch was definitely the appearance of mini-Brocky: 8 month old Xander being a big hit with the ladies (Like father like son)... Not so pretty was the sight of Mr Outram still very much in recovery from falling out his bath chair earlier in the week... here's to swift restoration of those good looks and a return next year. 



Special shout outs to Mark C, Steph, Geordie, Stan and Eamon who I know all came pretty decent distances to be there.. speaks volumes in itself gents. Also to those not playing who still came down to support the event - families, Stevie P, Mr Kendall et al... To the ladies on the BBQ - & Lucy 'Preno' for floggin' the raffle tickets. 


Grateful also to Tony McKenna and Nad for giving us the use of the great facilities at Alwoodley.

And special thanks also to Mr Scaife for reffing - despite taking dog's abuse, mainly from a potty mouthed Mr Clarkie, the Art Teacher.


The word I was getting at the end is that this rapidly ageing bunch of middle aged men are willing to give it a go again next May...If so I'm still up for organising.. it's a privilege to keep Dan's memory alive.. many of you commented how much he would have loved Saturday... especially the BBQ... and yes, that tackle of Keith's on Eamon... 




The final shakedown is that we will be sending some £350 to the British Heart Foundation this week... Thanks again for all your generous support.


Cheers  


Mike Preno & the 2 Daves.

Gaffer

3 years on - never far from our thoughts...

Thanks to all for another great day.. over £300 raised in all

Great turn out today.. special thanks to Mark C & Geordie who travelled some distance to be there.

Looks like whilst our legs will carry us the tradition may well live on -
Especially with 15 yr old whipper-snappers to do our running.

Few fotos for you...click on them for full size versions.
Do email me if you have any more - esp dave's team shot...

Thanks also to all who donated towards the raffle - nice one

See you in 2012 - with Eamon back from his one match ban... :-)

To Brian & all the boys who can't make tomorrow.. Raise a glass won't you: "Sláinte"