Phil Fanning acknowledged for sports contribution to Waterford News & Star
Pictured at the Granville Hotel for a retirement function for Phil Fanning who retired as Waterford News & Star GAA reporter, from left, Phil and Kitty Fanning. Photo: Joe Evans
Members of the Waterford News & Star management team gathered in the Granville Hotel in Waterford last week to acknowledge Phil Fanning who has retired as a sports reporter for the newspaper after a career spanning 40 years.
However, the Fanning family's involvement with the newspaper goes back even further than that as Phil's father was also a sport reporter with the paper and the family legacy to the publication stretches back almost 80 years in total.
Phil was joined by his wife, Kitty, and their family for a lovely meal in the company of Dan Linehan, General Manager of Irish Times Regionals, Nicky Heffernan, Business Support Manager with Waterford News & Star, and staff photographer, Joe Evans, and Editor, Mary Frances Ryan.
In acknowledging the Fanning family's contribution to the newspaper, Mr Linehan said: "It goes back almost 80 years and we hope it's not the end of our relationship with your family."
"We would like you back as a guest columnist going forward," said Mr Linehan.
"You have kept the bar for Thomas, going forward, in terms of your sports coverage," he added, referring to Thomas McCarthy, who will be taking over the role played by Phil.
Mr Linehan also acknowledged the quality and professionalism of Phil's writing over the years while also acknowledging his support for his local Mount Sion GAA club.
Mr Fanning said he didn't expect to be acknowledged in such a manner but expressed appreciation for the gesture.
"I appreciate it very much and I didn't expect it," he said.
"Thanks very much this and I have to say I have really enjoyed my many years associated with the News & Star," he said.
"It was in 1985, when my father had retired that Paddy O'Neill asked him could he get someone and my father asked me would I do it and I said I'd give it a go," he said.
"I really enjoyed it and I had a great time for many years, so thank you for this," he added.
Mr Heffernan also thanked Phil for his contribution and on behalf of everyone in the newspaper made a presentation to Phil.
"I've been in the News & Star for 40 odd years or so and in fairness every week you were on it," he said.
"Week in, week out and in fairness Kitty was behind you all the way along," he added.
Nicky also made a presentation to Kitty on the day.
The family were then treated to a lovely meal in the restaurant of the Granville.
