Award-giving time once again
Credit: Photo by John Tarrant
MILLSTREET GAA hosted a prize giving at a pleasant function hosted in the Wallis Arms Hotel last Friday night. Teams received medals for hurling and football triumphs. Club Chairman Fr. Paddy Byrne welcomed the large attendance for the club's first function in eight years.
Thanks were extended to organisers Michael Cleary, Michael Healy and Brian O'leary.
Apart from saluting a number of victorious football and hurling league and championships were a number of individual awards.
From a list of potential candidates for Young Player of the Year, the vision and authorithy that recipient Michael Vaughan brought to his game on the field culminated with an immense display that helped Millstreet regain the Duhallow U21 Football championship crown after a 20-year lapse. Equally adapt in both hurling and football merited Michael a deserving recipient of the inaugural Tadhg Moynihan Memorial Trophy presented by Aoife Moynihan.
The Club Player of the Year acknowledged Mark Ellis for his versatility to deliver a series of polished and immense performances that decorated the 2011 playing season. The inspirational figure brought stability to defence and picking out colleagues with precision like passing confirms the talents of an exceptional dual player. That was recognised on gaining selection on divisional and county hurling teams. Mark's talents merited the 2011 holder of the Perpetual Trophy sponsored by Colemans.
The Special Achievement Award recognised Niall Kelleher for his huge contribution to managing the county junior football team. Niall's enthusiasm and dedication guided Cork to its only All Ireland Football title in 2011. His knowledge gathered on the field gained for club, division and county was key to Cork displaying a spirited effort to capture the All Ireland Junior Football Championship title for the 16th occasion after defeating Kildare after extra time.
Taking a well deserved Millstreet GAA Clubperson of the year for 2011 was Mike O'callaghan following his invaluable work for the club. Michael was central to all club activity contributing to every club event and initiative that secured the deserved Jerry Hickey Memorial Trophy from club President William O'leary.
- John Tarrant
