Sports star duo honoured
Having honoured three sport stars recently, there were two more recipients of the 96FM/C103 GAA Sport Star of the month awards presented on Tuesday.
Run in association with the Rochestown Park Hotel, the May accolade went to Cork camogie and Ladies Football dual star Hannah Looney who played a key role as both sides enjoyed excellent league campaigns. While ultimate honours eluded them, the camogie team captured the Munster Championship with wins over Tipperary and Limerick with Hannah a central figure in both games.
Despite a hectic schedule, Hannah is enjoying both codes and only thrilled to be playing. “It’s been demanding but exciting and the co-operation between the respective managers makes it easy all round.”
With an eye on the Championship, the Killeagh girl is looking forward to the coming weeks. “Already we are in the football quarter-final and hopefully if we beat Down next Saturday in the camogie that should see us through.”
As for the award, it was “totally unexpected but absolutely thrilled to be honoured and my thanks to the sponsors it’s always nice to see camogie and Ladies Football being acknowledged.”
Eire Og’s John Cooper was the June recipient for his outstanding performance as his club were crowned 2020 County Senior A Football champions and with it elevation to the top grade in football for the coming season.
Mallow were blown away in that decider and John was thrilled with the display: “It was our best display throughout the entire campaign and for our club to be playing in the top tier of Cork football is just brilliant.”
Playing at the top level will be a challenge as will the upcoming Intermediate Hurling Final v Aghabullogue. “That is true but after all that has gone on in the last 12 months to get the opportunity to play in these games is just great and it has given everyone in the club and neighbourhood a huge lift.”
Like Hannah, John was thrilled to be honoured. It’s “absolutely fantastic, it’s as much for the team as for myself, but it’s always nice to get an individual award and I really appreciate it.”
Tom Tobin of Rochestown Park Hotel and Kieran McGeary 96FM/C103 congratulated Hannah and John on their awards and wished them both well for the coming months.
In particular Kieran paid tribute to the Rochestown Park Hotel for their continued support of these prestigious awards even more so giving the difficulties that the hospitality section has faced in the last year or so. Restrictions did not allow for a formal lunch but it is hoped these can resume in the coming weeks.
It is expected that a date for the overall awards banquet will be announced shortly as sport and business get back to normal. John and Hannah now join the previous recipients as monthly winners, Tadgh Deasy (St Michaels), Tracey Kennedy (Cork) Shane Barrett (Blarney) and Blackrock’s Alan Connolly.