Colm O’Callaghan wins March sports award

“It was a really tough campaign but at the end of it all, we set out to gain promotion to Division 1 and achieving that was brilliant,” said Cork midfielder Colm O’Callaghan, the March winner of the 96FM/C103 Rochestown Park Hotel Sports Star award.

The Éire Óg man played practically every minute of the 8 game campaign and while disappointed at losing the final, it was quickly parked. “It was - we dealt with it immediately after the match, had a break on the night and then switched our attention to the championship.”

That began with a win over Limerick last Sunday even after a poor second half. “Yeah and we got an earful from John but now we go again in two weeks time in the semi-final against Tipperary.”

Colm was also delighted at being honoured. “It is great and I am accepting it on behalf of the collective involved in the team and hopefully we will have a long and successful summer.”

County Board Vice-Chairman Noel O’Callaghan congratulated Colm and said the “consistency you showed over the league was key in the team gaining promotion and this is well deserved”.

Noel also thanked 96FM/C103 and the Rochestown Park Hotel for their continued support of Cork GAA.

Kieran McGeary of 96FM and Tom Tobin of Rochestown Park Hotel also congratulated Colm and wished him and the Cork team the best of luck for the upcoming championship.

Also in attendance were officers of the Éire Óg club including Chairman Paudie O’Toole, County Board Officer Francis Kenneally, Cork Manager John Cleary and Brian Herlihy a member of the backroom team along with family members.

Colm is actually the 5th Éire Óg player to be honoured joining Daniel Goulding, Ciaran Sheehan, Jack Murphy and Dylan Foley as previous recipients.

Colm is the 3rd winner in this the 23rd year of the awards joining his inter-county teammate Tommy Walsh and UCC camogie star Meabh Murphy winners in January and February.