Night of celebration as Offaly GAA awards presented at gala function

THERE was a great night of celebration as the Offaly GAA, camogie and ladies football awards were presented at a gala function in the Tullamore Court Hotel last Friday.

One of the major social events on the Offaly GAA calendar each year, over three hundred people attended to see the best players in hurling, football, camogie and ladies football along with referees and a handball recipient receive their prizes.

There was loud applause as each star was presented with their trophies by Offaly GAA chairman Tom Parlon and Philip O'Brien of the sponsors, Tullamore Court Hotel.

As usual, the highlight of the night was the induction of two former greats into the hall of fame. This year, the honourees were two heroes from the 1980s, hurler Paddy Kirwan, Ballyskenach and Birr and football great, Brendan Lowry from Ferbane and they were given a lengthy standing ovation after being introduced.

An emotional part of the evening was the airing of recorded messages from Paddy's son Damien and granddaughter from Australia and Brendan's famous golfing son Shane and granddaughters sending their congratulations.

Master of ceremonies was former Offaly GAA chairman Michael Duignan and once again, he made a great contribution to the success of the evening for the way he conducted affairs and a questions and answers session with Paddy Kirwan and Brendan Lowry.

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Tom Parlon described it as a “joyous” occasion for the award winners, their families, clubs and communities. Recalling that his own nephew Declan Parlon got the intermediate hurler of the year last year, he said it seemed that every Parlon in the country was present for it.

Mr Parlon claimed that it was the biggest awards they had since they were introduced 25 years ago and he thanked the media for their role in selecting the Offaly GAA winners. “They give us superb coverage during the year,” he smiled.

He also praised the Tullamore Court Hotel for their sponsorship of the awards and the adult football championships.

Mr Parlon spoke about the contribution of the hall of fame inductees. “They are two pretty hardened legends and you would say they are hard nosed and couldn't give a damn whether they got another award or not but I know for a fact that is not the case and both are absolutely thrilled with being acknowledged tonight. It is shown by the size of the families and contingents here from the Kirwan and Lowry sides. I even see some long lost nephews have arrived on the scene and I have never seen them at an Offaly GAA function before. I think when you are acknowledged by your own, it is as good an acknowledgement as you will ever get.”

Mr Parlon concluded by praising Offaly handball's Kevin Cooke, Crinkle, who is soon to become president of Irish handball.

Senior hurler of the year Charlie Mitchell said Kilcormac-Killoughey had achieved their goal of winning Offaly but were disappointed not to go further in Leinster. He stated that Offaly training is going well, talking about the competition for places.

Senior footballer of the year Cathal Flynn spoke about the disappointment of Ferbane losing a third senior football final in a row. “It is a tough one to take but we got there for the third time. The season with Offaly is something to more look back on. I am thankful for the player of the year but I would swap it for a medal at the end of the day.”

Wearing a sling after getting a recent shoulder operation, Flynn confirmed that he will miss the National Football League campaign. He talked about Offaly's prospects. “We started off well. There is a lot of injuries and the physio room is pretty full every night. There is a lot of new players in and we are trying to blood them in onto the team. It is good to get younger players in. We are crucified with injuries at the moment and hopefully we will get some of them back.”

Offaly GAA awards (Picked by Mary Dunne, Kevin Corrigan,  Brian Gavin, Randall Scally, Kevin Egan, Joe Troy and John O'Callaghan with the Offaly GAA Management Committee picking the hall of fame recipients)

Senior footballer of the year – Cathal Flynn, Ferbane;

Senior hurler of the year – Charlie Mitchell, Kilcormac-Killoughey;

Senior B footballer of the year – Marcas Dalton, Clara;

Senior B hurler of the year – Eimhin Kelly, Lusnagh;

Intermediate footballer of the year – Jay Sheerin, Tullamore;

Intermediate hurler of the year – Colm Gath, Drumcullen;

Junior footballer of the year – Darren Garry, Rhode;

Junior hurler of the year – Keith Lawler, Brosna Gaels;

U20 footballer of the year – Ross Kellaghan, Rhode;

U20 hurler of the year – Brecon Kavanagh, Kilcormac-Killoughey;

Football referee of the year – Kevin Williamson, Tullamore;

Hurling referee of the year – Adam Kinahan, Clodiagh Gaels;

Handball: David Hope (Fahy Handball Club);

Football hall of fame – Brendan Lowry, Ferbane;

Hurling hall of fame – Paddy Kirwan, Ballyskenach and Birr.

Camogie: (Chosen by Offaly Camogie Association)

Senior: Sarah Harding (Birr)

Intermediate: Kayla Lawlor (St. Sinchills)

Junior: Katie Fogarty (Tullamore)

Ladies Football (Chosen by Offaly Ladies football)

Senior: Roisin Mealiff (Ballinamere/Durrow)

Intermediate: Emma Scally (Rhode)

Junior: Caoimhe Kelly (Niaomh Ciaran)