Bord Gais Energy Munster GAA Awards 2012

PRESS RELEASE

01 December 2012

Bord Gáis Energy Munster GAA Awards

The Bord Gáis Energy Munster GAA Awards took place on Saturday, December 1^st at a gala dinner in the Malton Hotel in Killarney.

Click here to view a video review from the Awards Night

Click here to view photos from the event

Award winners can e-mail pro.munster@gaa.ie for original copy of selected photos

The full list of Bord Gáis Energy Munster GAA Award winners for 2012 are as follows –

• 2012 Munster GAA Minor Footballer of the Year – Colman Kennedy (Tipperary)
• 2012 Munster GAA Under 21 Hurler of the Year – Tony Kelly (Clare)
• 2012 Munster GAA Intermediate Hurlers of the Year – David Butler (Tipperary)
• 2012 Munster GAA Junior Footballer of the Year – David Callaghan (Kerry)
• 2012 Munster GAA Minor Hurler of the Year – John McGrath (Tipperary)
• 2012 Munster GAA Under 21 Footballer of the Year – Donal Og Hodnett (Cork)
• 2012 Munster Camogie Player of the Year – Fiona Lafferty (Clare)
• 2012 Munster Ladies Footballer of the Year – Brid Stack (Cork)
• 2012 Munster GAA Handballer of Year – John Ferncombe (Tipperary)
• 2012 Munster GAA Services to Refereeing Award – John Motherway (Cork)
• 2012 Munster GAA Services in Education Award – Tim O’Byrne (Waterford)
• 2012 Munster GAA Media Award – Weeshie Fogarty (Kerry)
• 2012 Munster GAA Distinguished Service Award – Harry Greensmyth (Limerick)
• 2012 Munster GAA Special Merit Award – Michael McDonnell (Limerick)
• 2012 Munster GAA Hall of Fame Football Award – Denis Coughlan (Cork)
• 2012 Munster GAA Hall of Fame Hurling Award – Pat Hartigan (Limerick)
• 2012 Munster GAA Club of Year – Dr. Crokes (Kerry)
• 2012 Munster GAA Senior Hurler of Year – Patrick “Bonner” Maher (Tipperary)
• 2012 Munster GAA Senior Footballer of Year – Donnacha O’Connor (Cork)
• 2012 Munster GAA Managers of Year – Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor (Clare)
• 2012 Irish Examiner Munster GAA Supporter of the Year – Donal O’Leary (Kerry)

Photos will be circulated after the event to the local and national newspapers and also on request

ENDS

Additional Information

Minor Football Player of the Championship – Colman Kennedy (Tipperary)

Colman Kennedy from Clonmel Commercials will always be remembered in Tipperary for the stunning goal he scored in the 2011 All Ireland minor football final to put Tipperary ahead and on the way to victory against a heavily fancied Dublin team. He continued his goal scoring prowess in this year’s Munster campaign which saw Tipperary defeat Kerry, Cork and Kerry again to win back to back titles. He scored 3-5 in the Munster campaign including a crucial goal against Kerry early in the second half of the Munster final to bring Tipperary right back into contention. Colman is son of John Kennedy, a native of Clonoulty Rossmore, who won All Ireland senior hurling medals in 1989 and 91. Colman played an important in helping Clonmel Commercials win 3 in a row county minor A football titles since 2010. He also plays hurling with St. Mary’s. He won a county senior football medal with Commercials this year and was named Man of the Match in the county final for a performance whose highlight was a great second half goal that turned the game decisively in Commercials’ favour.

Intermediate Hurling Player of the Championship – David Butler (Tipperary)

David Butler comes from a family steeped in GAA history, his father Tommy won an All Star for Tipperary in 1978, his brother Seamus hurled for Tipperary at all levels and his uncle Paudie was National Director of Hurling for several years. David, currently a trainee teacher in University of Limerick, has, at just 22 years of age, achieved many successes on the hurling field. While attending Thurles CBS, David won Croke, White (U15), Fitzgerald, Harty Cup and All Ireland Colleges titles. After leaving Thurles. At the University of Limerick he has won both Senior hurling league and Fitzgibbon Cup medals.

David has been an integral part of his club Drom-Inch’s recent successes with the most notable being in 2010 when they finally captured the much sought after senior hurling county title for the first time in the club’s history. David has won juvenile county titles as well as divisional titles at several grades in both hurling and football. Given his rapidly rising stock in the hurling world, it was only fitting that he became part of the Tipperary Intermediate hurling team this year and in turn became a very valuable player for the team. David contributed 1-4 in the Munster final defeat of Clare and also was on hand again to bag 1-2 in the All Ireland final defeat of Kilkenny. He is a well deserved recipient of the Munster Intermediate Player of the Year award.

Junior Football Player of the Championship – David Callaghan (Kerry)

David O’Callagahan of the St Pats of Blennerville club has represented Kerry in all grades from Minor, U21, Junior and Senior. He first played minor in 2005 and subsequently played in the U21 Championship in 2007.

David made his Senior debut against Cork in the Allianz League in 2010. In all he has played ten times for Kerry at Senior level, scoring six points. A serious leg injury interrupted his 2011 inter-county season. In 2012 he re-joined the Kerry Senior panel for the Allianz League and he played five times during this campaign.

It was as a member of the All-Ireland Junior winning team in 2012, that David really made his mark for Kerry. He put in some very solid performances and perhaps his best was against Clare, where he scored 2-02 following by a tally of 3 point v Mayo in the All-Ireland Final.

David’s club career is continuing. St Pats had a very solid year and they easily maintained their status in Division 2. He is hoping that the new Kerry Manager, Eamon Fitzmaurice, will include him in the forthcoming McGrath Cup and Allianz League campaign

Minor Hurling Player of the Championship – John McGrath (Tipperary)

John McGrath comes from the well-known McGrath clan in the famed Loughmore Castleiney dual club in Mid Tipperary. He is son of Pat McGrath and brother of Noel, both of them All Ireland senior hurling medallists. John carved his own unique piece of history in the family when he became a dual minor medallist winning a football All Ireland in 2011 and a hurling one this year. He was also a dual minor Munster medallist this year. He was the scoring powerhouse of the Tipperary minor hurlers this year and scored 1-20 in Tipperary’s 3 game Munster minor campaign. His accuracy from frees was particularly important in the Munster final against Clare and again in the drawn All Ireland final against Dublin. A versatile player, he is comfortable in midfield or in any position in the forwards. He is a student at Our Lady’s Templemore and is one of the leading players on their Harty Cup team. He has also won several Mid Divisional and County titles at underage level with his club in both hurling and football. He also holds Mid Division senior hurling and football titles.

Under 21 Hurling Player of the Championship – Tony Kelly (Clare)

Nineteen year old Tony Kelly comes from the Ballyea Club and has already played all levels for his Club and County. His father Donal played all levels for Ballyea and Clarecastle whilst his sister Lorraine has starred for the Clare Senior Ladies Football side.  At County level, Tony helped Clare to win Munster and All-Ireland Under 21 Hurling titles and also lined out with the Clare Intermediate and Senior Hurlers in the Championship. Tony won Munster Minor Hurling medals in 2010 and 2011.

Under 21 Football Player of the Championship – Donal Og Hodnett (Cork)

Dónal Óg Hodnett hails from the O’Donovan Rossa club based in Skibbereen in West Cork. A student at CIT, his brother Eoin also played U21 Football for Cork, though neither featured at minor level. Donal Óg played in his club’s County U21 A Football Final victory over Carrigaline in 2011, and scored 1-4 in their victory in this year’s Tadhg Crowley Cup, when they overcame Doheny’s on a scoreline of 2-14 to 2-7.  He contributed hugely to Cork’s Munster U21 Football Final victories over Kerry in both 2011 and 2012, scoring 1-4 in last year’s Final and 1-1 this year, all from play. In both years, Cork were beaten in the All-Ireland Championship by the eventual winners, Galway and Dublin. Donal Óg took over the Cork captaincy this year after Rory O’Sullivan was injured in the semi-final. 

Camogie Player of the Year – Fiona Lafferty (Clare)

Fiona Lafferty is quite rightly considered to be one of the leading lights in Clare Camogie, and has been for a long number of years. Fiona has played camogie at all levels, helping her Club win honours at U14, U16, Minor, Junior, Intermediate & Senior level. She was a young but vital member of the Kilnamona team that won the Féile na nGael Div 2 title in 2001. Since then she has worked to improve her game and reach the standards that are required at Senior Inter County level. Her consistency has paid off as she has been awarded Player of the game in numerous matches.

Fiona has featured strongly on the Munster Gael Linn team over the years, and such is her diversity as a player that she can assume a strategic role in any area of play. She plays as strongly in the backs as she does in forwards. Fiona also helps to train and encourage younger players at both Club and County level. Fiona is also a strong supporter of fundraising for both her Club and County and plays a key role in all fundraising activities.

Ladies Footballer of the Year – Brid Stack (Cork)

Brid is a superb ambassador for Ladies Gaelic Football, her honours include 7 All Ireland senior, 9 Munster senior, 6 National League Division 1, one National. League Division 2, two All-Ireland Under 18, one Munster junior & intermediate & All Ireland club, 3 Inter-provincials and 5 All Stars as well as numerous player of the match awards.

Brid had another outstanding season in 2012 as Cork captured the All Ireland title for the seventh time in. She also won her 5th All Star award a testament to her consistency. She is noted for her defensive qualities along with her forays up field to create many a vital score.

At 25, she has given sterling service to Liscarroll, her club, her County and province over the past decade and has captained Munster on two occasions in the interprovincial competition lifting the Mick Talbot Cup to the delight of the province. She coaches and manages at Carrigaline Community School in the Munster Post Primary schools competitions where she also teaches. She is a truly deserving winner for Munster Ladies Gaelic Football Player of the year 2012.

Handballer of the Year – John Ferncombe (Tipperary)

A native of Holycross John Ferncombe plays his handball with Cashel Handball Club which has a long tradition of success since its founding in 1974. This year John outweighed his own expectations by winning County, Munster, All-Ireland and World titles. His winning streak began in January when he won the County Singles 40×20 Junior B title. In February he went on to win the Munster final and proceeded to take All-Ireland honours in the same grade in March by convincingly defeating Antrim opponent in Leixlip. John then teamed up with fellow club mates to win the 60×30 club plate title.

October saw John’s attention turn to the World Handball Championships which were held in Dublin’s Citywest. There were over 2,000 entries for these championships. After four rounds of matches in the singles John joined forces with club mate Denis White to contest the Mens C Doubles which had the largest entry of all grades in the Championships over 180 players. After four days and six gruelling matches, John claimed his World Gold Medal which added to Cashel Handball Clubs tally of five Gold and one Silver.

Services to Refereeing – John Motherway (Cork)

A native of Barryroe in West Cork, John Motherway came east to Aghada to work in Calor Gas. He began his refereeing career in the 1970s, and officiated at three East Cork Finals and two County Senior Hurling Finals, 1995 and 1999, as well as a variety of other County finals. For a number of years, he was the top referee in the county, and having finally hung up his whistle, he has continued to serve as a Referees’ Tutor, travelling the length and breadth of the province delivering courses to both new and established referees, and even passing on his expertise to referees in the United States. He has served on the National Referees’ Committee, and as Referees’ Administrator in Cork, and continues his role as a mentor right up to the present day.

Services in Education – Tim O’Byrne (Waterford)

Tim O’Byrne, having qualified as a teacher in 1975, joined the staff of Mount Sion C.B.S. From here he joined a local committee led by the late James McGinn and Bro Griffey where they invited four city schools to take part in a hurling league. Tim saw the future potential of this. For organisational purposes the Waterford County was divided into the Eastern and Western divisions – Tim served as Eastern Chairman for nearly 15 years and also as County Chairman for a further 10 years. He is presently Chairman of Munster Cumann na mBunscol as well as being on the National Executive. He has overseen the smooth transition from competitive games at under 12 level to the present Go Games Model. Today the activities of Cumann na mBunscol include – The Primary Games, Hurling, Camogie, Football (both boys and girls), Mini-Sevens, Indoor Hurling and Camogie, Handball and Rounders as well as organising School Quizzes and Art Competitions. Within Waterford, Tim currently holds the position of Eastern Secretary of the Adult Board having also served as Secretary of Bord na nOg. He is also a member of the Executive of Waterford GAA. In his spare time he also finds time to referee. He has refereed 3 Senior Football and 1 Senior Hurling County Final as well as numerous other games and finals.

Media Award – Weeshie Fogarty (Kerry)

The great Kerry footballer Maurice Fitzgerald had the pleasure of launching Weeshie Fogarty’s book, My Beautiful Obsession – Chasing the Kerry Dream, recently. During his remarks Maurice called Weeshie the President of Kerry. Mention the name Weehsie and immediately, you think of this unique Kerryman. This honorary title is well deserved.

His long running radio programme, Terrace Talk, has been essential listening for all sports fans for many years.  Matches are analysed in detail. People from all walks of life are interviewed. Time is given to the interviewee and the discussion is not rushed. This allows a more detailed examination of the topics and by extension leads to a more pleasurable listening experience.  These interviews will in time, be seen as an important audio historical record of life and sport in the late 20th and early 21st century Kerry.  He also now has a weekly article in The Kerryman each week. His fantastic web site www.terracetalk.com is a full encyclopaedia of Kerry Football-everything you want to know is here.

Weeshie born in Killarney began his playing career with Kerry in 1959. While he freely admits he wasn’t the best player to come out of Kerry, he certainly enjoyed his playing career and when he retired from playing, he became a very accomplished referee. Weeshie is synonymous with all things that made Kerry people famous.

Distinguished Service to GAA – Harry Greensmyth (Limerick)

Harry Greensmyth was a founder member of the South Liberties camogie club and he was treasurer of the Limerick camogie board during these years. In 1972 he became involved in South Limerick Bord na nOg. In 1978 he was elected secretary of this board. He was the first PRO of the south Limerick senior board a position he held until recent years when the five year term came into use. His position as PRO took him into writing match reports for local press, the Limerick Leader and recently the Vale Star. He received a McNamee award in 2004 on behalf of Garryspillane for his book The Bouncers.

He is a well-known contributor to GAA programmes, has edited three issues of the Limerick GAA Yearbook. He wrote a history of South Liberties club – Hospital / Herbertstown club – Blackrock club – Garryspillane club and county Bord na nOg. His many books include Rambling through Knockainey, Frank B Dinneen – John Flanagan – Fr. Matt Ryan a land league priest – Knockea national school with Mary Lynch – Donoughmore parish with Tom Toomey and Croom parish incorporating the GAA in Croom. Harry has also trained many teams to win county titles from Na Fianna, Knockainey, Hospital Herbertstown and South Liberties, the latter of which he trained to win the 1972 Limerick Senior Hurling Championship.

Special Merit Award – Michael McDonnell (Limerick)

Limerick native Michael McDonnell played hurling and football at all levels with Croom. At the tender age of 18, Michael became Club Treasurer and held the position for 23 years, culminating in restructuring the club finances which led to the purchase of the club grounds and the installation of flood lighting. Michael has served as South Limerick Senior Board Vice-Chairman, Assistant Secretary and Assistant Treasurer as well as being Chairman of South Limerick Bord na nOg in the late 1970s. In recent times, Michael has been Secretary of Neville Park Development Committee and overseen the development work at the Rathkeale GAA grounds which has provided four new dressing rooms, five pitches and a hurling alley.

Hall of Fame in Football – Denis Coughlan (Cork)

Born in 1945, Denis Coughlan is a dual GAA legend in Cork, having played hurling and football with his local clubs, Glen Rovers and St. Nicholas’ respectively, and with the Cork Senior teams in both codes. He won his first County Senior Hurling title in 1964, and was involved in five further victories as a player; in 1967, 69, 72 and 76, adding Munster Club titles in 1972 and 76, and winning the All-Ireland Club Championship in 1972 and 1976. He played in his club’s County Senior Football victory in 1966, and also in the Munster Club victory that year.

He won Munster and All-Ireland U21 Hurling medals with Cork, and in 1967, captained the Cork Senior Football team to Munster glory, only to lose to Meath in the All-Ireland Final. In 1969, he won his first Munster Senior Hurling medal with Cork, and went on to captain the team in 1973, a year in which he also won an All-Ireland Senior Football medal, Cork’s first victory since 1945. Having retired from hurling in 1974, Denis returned in 1976, and was part of the historic three-in-a-row team that brought All-Ireland glory to Cork in 1976, 77 and 78, a feat which has gone unequalled since.  In total, Denis Coughlan has won no less than three All-Ireland and five Munster Senior Hurling titles, one All-Ireland and four Munster Senior Football titles, along with Railway Cup medals in both Hurling and Football and a variety of club and other honours. He continues to remain actively involved with his club and at various other levels in the GAA. A truly worthy recipient of the Football Hall of Fame Award.

Hall of Fame in Hurling – Pat Hartigan (Limerick)

Pat Hartigan at the age of fifteen had White Cup and Dean Ryan Cup medals which were to be followed shortly with two Dr Harty Cup and one All Ireland Colleges medal. Pat continued on to play Minor and U21 hurling and football up to 1971 and in 1968 he played on eight different Limerick teams in six months. During this time he also won All Ireland titles in the shot putt and discuss. Pat played in five National Hurling League finals but was only once on the winning side (1971). Playing in five Munster Senior Hurling finals he won two, and there was the ultimate decoration of an All-Ireland Senior hurling medal in 1973. Pat won five successive All Star awards from 1971 through 1975 and was a winner also on the Cooley Mountains in 1981 and 1983 with the annual Poc Fada Competition. He has county senior hurling titles in 1972, 1976, and 1978 with his own club, South Liberties.  An accidental training ground eye injury has cut his career short but he is a truly worthy recipient of the Hurling Hall of Fame Award.

Club of the Year – Dr. Crokes (Kerry)

The Dr. Crokes GAA club was founded in 1886 and today have teams in every age group from under 6 to Senior. The club have an illustrious history which has included 9 Kerry Senior Football titles, 4 Munster Club titles and an All-Ireland Club title in 1992. After winning the Kerry County Final in 2000, the club suffered some agonising defeats, losing the Kerry County Finals of 2005, 2006 and 2009. The club did win the Munster Club title of 2006 before losing out after a replay in the All-Ireland Club final in the spring of 2007. Not deterred by these set-backs, the good work at underage level continued and the Kerry Senior Football title returned after a ten year gap in 2010, a title they have retained over the last couple of years en route to a memorable three in a row. Dr. Crokes won the Munster Club title in 2011 and are looking to retain that title this weekend. Aside from their Senior success, in 2012 to date the club have won the County Under 14 Football title, East Kerry Minor League & Championship titles, the County Under 21 Club Plate Final and the Kerry Junior Football Division 1 League title. Dr. Crokes are deserving winners of the 2012 Club of the Year award.

Senior Footballer of the Year – Donncha O’Connor (Cork)

From Ballydesmond, Donncha O’Connor made his début with the Cork Senior Football team in 2006 at the age of 25. Despite his relatively late breakthrough into inter-county football, he is now Cork’s second-highest scorer of all time with 9-25 to his credit from thirty-eight appearances, and only Colin Corkery has scored more in the red jersey. The highlight of Donncha’s career to date has undoubtedly been winning an All-Ireland Senior Football medal in 2010, to which achievement he contributed 1-5 in the semi-final against Dublin, and five points in the Final against Down. In total, Donncha has won four Munster Senior Football titles, four Allianz League titles, and of course that all-important Celtic Cross. He also won Munster and All-Ireland Junior Football medals in 2005, and was part of the Munster team that won the Inter-Provincial series in 2008.

In 2012, Donncha was Cork’s top scorer in the Allianz Football League, scoring 1-17 in Cork’s League-winning campaign. He was honoured with the Man of the Match Award for his performance against Kerry in the Munster Semi-final, having scored six points in that game. Cork went on to beat Clare in the Munster Final, giving Donncha his fourth Munster Senior Football Championship medal. Donncha was also part of the Duhallow team which reached the Cork County Senior Football Final this year, scoring forty-eight points during a campaign which ended in a one-point defeat to Castlehaven in the final. A lynch-pin of the Cork Senior Football team since his début in 2006, Donncha O’Connor is a worthy recipient of this award.

Senior Hurler of the Year – Patrick “Bonner” Maher (Tipperary)

Patrick “Bonner” Maher is one of hurling’s hardest working players. Having missed the start of the 2012 Championship through injury he made an immediate impact when he came on with less than 30 minutes to go against Limerick. His performance helped secure a victory for Tipperary and he went on to play a big part in their wins over Cork and Waterford to win his third Munster title. In his career to date, Patrick has won All-Ireland medals at Minor, Under 21 and Senior level in addition to winning a County Intermediate Hurling title with his club Lorrha. Patrick is a richly deserving winner of this year’s Munster Senior Hurler of the Year award.

Manager of the Year – Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor (Clare)

Donal Moloney and Gerry O Connor’s success with Clare Under age teams over the last number of years, is on a par with anyone who has ever managed a Clare team over any period of time. The pair won two Munster Minor Titles in 2010 and 2011 and this year they have captured the Munster and All Ireland under 21 Hurling Championship.

Both from the Eastern part of the county, Donal from Scarriff, and Gerry just few miles out the road in Killanena. Gerry won under 16, Minor and Under 21 titles with his Club Killanena. His first coaching job was with the Urban Board in Ennis, where he now resides, his two sons Niall and Enda were part of the urban Board at the time, which caters for under 12 Development in the town of Ennis.

Donal learned his hurling skills with his Club Scarriff, where they enjoyed great success in the 80s, winning the Under 21 A Championship in 1987. Donal was a member of the County Minor Panel in 85, which lost narrowly to Tipperary in the Semi-Final, He played at Full Back for the County under 21s in 88, and made his Senior Debut in 1990. He was part of the Clare Team that won Munster and All Ireland Junior Championship in 1983.

In 2007 Donal and Gerry teamed up to take charge of the County Under 16, and in 2009 took charge of the Clare Minors. The roller Coaster began in 2010 when Clare won the Munster Minor Title, and lost out narrowly to Kilkenny in the All Ireland Final. They followed that up a year later with another Munster Minor Championship. They progressed to the Under 21s in 2012, and won the Munster and

For further information, please contact:

Ed Donnelly

Munster GAA PRO

Email: pro.munster@gaa.ie

Tel: 087 2055642

Nigel O’Mahony

OMF Publicity for Bord Gáis Energy

Email: nigel@omfpublicity.ie

Tel: 086 2497530