Laura takes top award
Before a huge attendance Cork camogie star Laura Hayes was named as the overall winner of Cork’s 96FM/C103 Sports Star of the year award in the Rochestown Park Hotel last Friday night.
The St Catherine’s player enjoyed a fabulous season as Cork made it back to back All-Ireland senior titles and a 30th in total beating Galway in a thrilling final.
Laura was outstanding in every game and her pace, work rate and ability to hit some massive points crucial as Ger Manley’s side showed their quality having earlier in the season won the Munster Championship.
“Humbled and absolutely delighted to be honoured especially when you see the list of winners here tonight - it’s very special,” was her reaction.
It was a fantastic season as Laura explained: “Very much so, we had a slow start to the league as we were a bit late returning to training but set our stall out by winning the Munster Championship and after that we focussed on the All-Ireland defence.”
Cork eased through the group stages and going direct to the semi-final was important. “It was because as the group phase was every week almost, we had to tailor our training and then we had a good gap before the semi-final and we got a lot of hard work in for the Dublin game.”
The final was a real battle: “It certainly was and that has been the case with Galway over the last few years - very little between us and we just got over the line.”
After the All-Ireland and the County Championship, Laura took some time off and did a bit of travelling. “Yeah after a long season, (I) decided to head off and relax but I’m paying for it now trying to make up for lost time in training.”
Before heading off on her travels Laura picked up a couple of other awards namely an All-Star and the Senior Camogie Player of the Year. She was “very nice surprised to get the POTY award as there are so many great players out there but thrilled really.”
As for the 3 in a row her reply was: “well as Eoin (Downey) said earlier, why not?”
Kieran O’Driscoll Youth Award
Cork and Glen Rovers star Eoin Downey was the recipient of this accolade in recognition of an outstanding season for both club and county.
As Eoin reflected on the year he said: “It was dramatic to say the least the way the supporters got behind us for the Limerick game in the ‘Park and it just grew from there, incredible really.”
The final while not going the way we wanted was special. “We were just a bit unlucky in the end but we will learn from it and look forward to the summer.”
Glen Rovers getting back to the top tier was very important. “Sure was, we didn’t want to be down there but we were very determined to get back where we feel we belong.”
Collecting an All-Star along with his brother Robert was special. “Yeah not too many brothers have been on the same team so that was nice.”
Eoin also referenced his interest in football with St Nick’s. “I always enjoy playing football and will again in the season ahead.”
And as for the season ahead, to the delight of the crowd he said “well we can win both (county and All-Ireland)” which was greeted with a huge cheer.
Donal Lehane Distinguished Career Award
Frank Cogan’s list of achievements with his club Nemo Rangers and Cork makes for impressive reading which made him the worthy recipient of this award.
County, Munster and All-Ireland club medals with Nemo, Munster championships, and a coveted Senior All-Ireland medal with Cork among others at minor and under 21 along with an All-Star award are just a brief resume of his honours.
The presentation of this award was by John Lehane whose late father the award is named after and An Taoiseach Micheál Martin, a proud Nemo man, described Frank as a hero of his growing up.
In response to a question as to the Taoiseach’s ability as a footballer, Frank had this to say: “Oh he was brilliant - (a brief pause) Junior B” which drew a great response from all in the room including the Taoiseach.
Frank is still involved as an important member of John Cleary’s backroom and his view on the new rules were interesting.
“Very good so far and makes the game easier to watch and play in and should make for an exciting few weeks as we all adjust to them.”
He does have one reservation: “The goalkeeper coming so far out needs looking at, as it gives the attacking team an unfair advantage.”
In relation to his own career he has special memories of the 1973 team: “Great group with some fabulous players, a brilliant trainer in Doney O’Donovan who instilled a belief in us from the start that we could win the All-Ireland, and he was right.”
To this day there is a bond with that group, “without a doubt, sadly we have lost a few great men off it, but anytime we meet up we enjoy each other’s company.”
Friday was the 21st year of these very prestigious awards and the guest of honour was An Taoiseach Micheál Martin who in his address paid tribute to the GAA’s contribution all round the country. “We have seen in recent weeks with the storm how the GAA clubs have rallied around their areas which has been the hallmark of the Association since its foundation.”
Continuing he said, “looking at the monthly winners that are been honoured here tonight is an indication of the strength of the games in our county.”
“Handball is been recognised, while being in Croke Park on camogie final day was extra special, and while we all know the drama of the hurling final, I like everyone is really looking forward to the summer ahead.”
Concluding he paid tribute to all involved and wished all teams at both club and county the best of luck for the coming season.
County Board Chairman Pat Horgan also spoke and was fulsome in his praise for 96FM/C013 for their coverage of our games and along with Rochestown Park Hotel for their continued support of these awards.
On a personal level, my thanks to all who made Friday possible: Tom Tobin, Colm, Sheby, Luka and the entire staff of the Rochestown Park Hotel for their, as always, excellence on the night.
Ken Perrott, Isabel Keane and Kelly O’Sullivan and the street fleet, Kieran McGeary and Sean Barry for their continued support and of course my colleagues in the sports department who make it all so easy.
Very shortly we will be announcing the first winner for 2025 as year 22 of the awards gets underway.
Quiet weekend on playing fields
The action this weekend is limited as both Cork teams are not playing; it’s a break week in football while the hurlers have a bye.
In ladies football after a narrow loss to Galway, Cork hit the road again when they play Tipperary in the Lidl National League D2 in Fethard Town Park on Sunday at 2pm - a game they will be expected to win.
Tonight (Thursday) sees a Fitzgibbon Cup QF featuring MTU v TUS Mid-west at 6.30pm with the latter enjoying home advantage as MTU bid to join UCC in next week’s semi-final.
It’s a big weekend in camogie’s Ashbourne Cup with UCC hoping to end a very long wait to finally get their hands on this coveted trophy. They play TUD in the semi-final in the Connacht Centre of Excellence on Saturday at 3pm.
Mentioning camogie, the Cork senior team are holding a family night at the Dogs in Curaheen Park on Saturday week on 15 February at a cost of €10.
It’s a fundraiser for the players fund and it should be a great night, the cups will be there so why not go along and support the girls, kids are free by the way!