Reen operative and keen GAA man Eamonn Long was involved in a big fundraising event for the local Middletown GAA club during November.
The small town club has recently renovated its playing pitch and grounds, and a big push was needed on the fundraising front to help cover the costs of the new developments.
A big night was organised at the Hillgrove hotel in Monaghan town for the purposes of funding the clubs expansion. 650 people attended the evening, where an auction took place as the main event.
The auction was compered by the world of Rally motor sport's very own star Andrew Nesbitt . He was a dab hand at making the bids escalate, with his cajoling, scintillating wit and rapid repartee. At one point 2 hurling sticks went for a mammoth sum - between 9,000 and 10,000 pounds Sterling.
One GAA luminary at the event, D.J. Carey, had probably signed the sticks and offered personalised lessons at that price.
Armagh's Benny Tierney and Meath man Colm O'Rourke were another two of the GAA luminaries in attendance that evening. Other highlights of the night's auction included Celtic match tickets up for auction and also premium vouchers for luxury hotel stays at Glaslough's, now famous, Castle Leslie.
The final tally raised, after all the night's crack and entertainment, was a whopping GBP 100 K plus.
That was one mighty night of fundraising and excellent fun by all accounts.
