A night of celebration for Cork’s finest
This Friday 10 February the gala banquet for the 96FM/C103 GAA Sports Star awards will take place in the Rochestown Park Hotel.
This is the 19th year of the awards and 3 stars of Cork GAA are set to be honoured.
Apart from the overall award which will be chosen from among the 12 monthly winners, 2 other awards will be presented.
The Kieran O’Driscoll Youth Award will honour a player who has excelled for either club or county during the season. Last year’s recipient was Cork minor star from Ballinhassig Darragh O’Sullivan.
The Donal Lehane Distinguished Career award acknowledges a former player for their excellence. Ger Fitzgerald was last year’s recipient, joining a long list of outstanding winners, among them Charlie McCarthy, Larry Tompkins, Denis Coughlan, Dinny Allen, Brian Murphy and John Coleman.
The 12 monthly winners this year encompassed all codes within the GAA. The January award went to St Finbarr’s Sam Ryan who was gave an outstanding display as the ‘Blues won the Munster Club Championship title.
It was great year for Ballygiblin and while they came up just short in the All-Ireland Final, for his exploits in a marvellous campaign, the February accolade went to Sean O’Sullivan.
March belonged to the schools and for winning All-Ireland titles, St Francis College Rochestown in hurling, and Beara Community School in football were joint winners.
Handball made a welcome return in April when representing Cork, Brendan Fleming and Donncha O’Connor were crowned All-Ireland Masters Champions.
May saw for the first time in two years the playing of the Comortas Peile Na Gaelthachta and at senior level, Beal Atha’n Ghaorthaidh won with Ben Shorten the key player.
This year Cork referee Colm Lyons was the man in the middle for the All-Ireland hurling and was lauded for his performance as our June winner.
Cork Senior Camogie team were in the hunt for major honours and while they came up just short in the league and championship finals, Libby Coppinger was a model of consistency and was the July winner.
August was a special month for the hurlers of Erin’s Own as they progressed to the knock-out stages of the senior championship with long serving forward Kieran ‘Hero’ Murphy honoured.
Dual players are a rarity, but St Michaels and Blackrock were delighted with the scoring return from the talented Robbie Cotter as both clubs qualified for county finals in hurling and final and he picked up the September award.
October was a special month for the hurlers of St Finbarr’s when they bridged a long gap to take the title back to Togher and young Ben Cunningham gave a masterful display.
In the football final Nemo Rangers in their centenary year went in search of their 23rd county title and won it with a brilliant performance. A key player was Kevin O’Donovan - a master class in defending and he scored a point, making November a special month.
Ladies Football was acknowledged in December as Naomh Abán followed up their County Junior success by adding the Munster title. Una Twohig was a pivotal player.
So who will pick up the award won last year by St Finbarr’s Brian Hayes? It certainly will test the judging panel!
GAA President Larry McCarthy is the guest of honour and an attendance in excess of 300 will enjoy the night. Rochestown Park Hotel have been outstanding sponsors in these very prestigious awards and for that, thanks to the Lehane family and to Tom Tobin, Steve Cox, Colm Bulger and Sean Twomey for their hospitality on a monthly basis.
My thanks to all for their help especially to my colleagues in 96FM/C103 with Kieran McGeary, Isabel Keane and Ken Perrott fully supportive at all times.