Ger honoured with August GAA award
A season that started with a rare defeat to Antrim in the league ends with Cork winning their 31st O’Duffy Cup and a 2nd All-Ireland camogie title in 3 years for manager Ger Manley.
In recognition of this outstanding achievement, Ger was the recipient of the 96FM/C103 Rochestown Park Hotel GAA Sports Star Award for August.
Ger was delighted to be honoured in what was a year of many twists and turns. “First of all it is a privilege to get this award; I really appreciate it and it is totally unexpected.”
Reflecting on the season, he said: “We knew it would be tough start with the departure of so many experienced players for a variety of reasons but once the league and Munster championship was out of the way the focus then switched to the All-Ireland.”
Turning point
“The opening game of the All-Ireland beating Galway up in Athenry, I can’t recall winning up there in my time, but that set us up and we ended the group unbeaten.”
It set up an All-Ireland semi-final against Tipperary in Thurles.
“Great venue and we were very good in the 1st half and deserving winners.”
Cork and Galway have been the dominant teams of recent years and they didn’t disappoint in the final.
“Fabulous game and a fantastic win delighted for the girls especially the new players and also winning the under 23 All-Ireland was very important.”
As for the future, “ah look, we’ll see how things go.”
The fact though that Ger is heavily involved in the teams fund-raising for a well deserved holiday would suggest he will once again be guiding the team’s fortunes from the sideline.
He also paid tribute to his backroom team the majority of whom were present along with the County Board who have been very supportive all year and especially in the last few weeks.
Chairman Padraig Treacy and Liason Officer Marion McCarthy were in attendance.
In the coming weeks Ger will manage the Ireland camogie team that will play Scotland in a shinty international in SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday 24 October.
“Really looking forward to it and there will be strong Cork involvement and that the game is down the ‘Park, it makes it extra special.”
County GAA Board Vice-Chairman Noel O’Callaghan congratulated Ger on his well deserved award. “Winning the All-Ireland was a great achievement and we wish him well in his role with the Irish international shinty team while also thanking 96FM/C103 and the Rochestown Park Hotel for their continued promotion of these very prestigious awards and ongoing support of Cork GAA.”
Steve Cox of Rochestown Park Hotel and Isobel Keane 96FM also congratulated Ger on his award.
Ger now joins the previous monthly winners ahead of the gala banquet on 29 January at which GAA President Jarlath Burns will guest of honour. January; Tommy Walsh February; Meabh Murphy March; Colm O’Callaghan April; Aine Terry O’Sullivan May; Niall O’Leary June; Rory Twohig and Eanna Desmond in July.