June accolade for Sean
Finbarr McCarthy
Cork’s hurling season may not have ended the way we would have wished for, but that should not take from the achievements of the team. Becoming national league and Munster Championship winners is no mean feat.
A key player in those exciting campaigns was outstanding defender Sean O’Donoghue and in recognition of his contribution, Sean was named the July winner of the 96FM/C103 GAA Sports Star winner in association with the Rochestown Park Hotel.
The Inniscarra player was delighted to be honoured: “It’s a nice honour to get and I am thankful to all who supported me this year and down through the years.”
Reflecting on the season Sean had this to say: “The final did not go they way we had hoped it would and we are all very disappointed at that but all we can do is learn from it and try and go one better next season.”
The league win and the Munster Final drama were exciting days: “Very few if any of us have league medals so that was nice to win and while we did win Munster Championship medals making up for the poor day in the group stages was important.”
As for the penalty shoot out win, jokingly Sean added: “Well I was off the field as I was on a yellow card at the time, but it was dramatic to say the least, not an ideal way to finish a game as important as that but great win all the same.”
Cork will start next year’s Munster Championship with a trip to Thurles and a meeting with champions Tipperary. “Yeah should be interesting” was Sean’s reply.
For now though he is glad to be back in action with his club in both hurling and football. Sean had a football match the week after the final, they won and Sean bagged a goal. “That was good to get back into it and we then played and won our hurling game, and now we play Bishopstown next in hurling and hopefully we can keep the winning run going.”
County Board Chairman Pat Horgan congratulated Sean. “Sean has been outstanding all season and this is testimony to his contribution to Cork’s success and while we were all disappointed with the All-Ireland Final we know they will comeback stronger and we thank them for their hard work all year, our thanks also to 96FM/C013 and the Rochestown Park Hotel for their ongoing support for Cork GAA.”
Kieran McGeary of 96FM/C103 and Tom Tobin of Rochestown Park Hotel also congratulated Sean and wished him continued success for the rest of the season.
Family and club officials along with Derek Connolly of Cork County Board were in attendance.
Sean now joins the other monthly winners as the overall winner will be announced at the gala banquet in the end of January.
January - Sean Desmond, Watergrasshill
February - Brian O’Sullivan, Kanturk and UL
March - Katie Quirke, Cork ladies football
April - Tim O’Mahoney, Cork NHL winners
May - Amy Lee. Cork camogie league winners.