Dromtariffe’s Daniel O’Keeffe wins the O’Connor award for ITT Fresher of Year

DROMTARIFFE’S Daniel O’Keeffe earned Tralee IT ‘Fresher Footballer of the Year’ at a awards ceremony that acknowledged a wide spectrum of sporting pursuits at the Kerry faculity

On doing so, O’Keeffe collected the ‘Rory O’Connor Perpetual Trophy’ to a first year ‘Fresher’ student playing on the Institute football team. The award is named after Banteer native Rory O’Connor, who played football for IT Tralee in addition to being a member of the Cork U21 panel but unfortunately died in a car accident in 2011.

Chosen by the college team trainer and reflecting Rory’s own personality, the Fresher Footballer of the year award was presented to O’Keeffe, not only for his footballing ability or talent while playing for ITT but also for his contribution, positive influence and overall impact on the team, both on and off the field

In their address to the award finalists, Bernie and Pat O’Connor, parents of the late Rory, acknowledged the passion, dedication and time that people give to their sport. Reminiscing about their son, Pat said that Rory was a footballer on the field and a great friend and personality off the field.

“He was brilliant to all players, even to those on the outside as he effortlessly brought them to the middle”, he said.

In a moving tribute, Rory’s mum Bernie poignantly spoke about their broken hearts since his death and reminded the recipients of the many great benefits in life.

“Eternal friendships and caring for one another comes with involvement, engaging and being part of a societies and/or sports club”, she said.

Speakers including Kerry GAA legend, Ogie Moran, who is the Foundation Director of ITT Sports Academy hailed the award recipients and a fitting acknowledgement to the enormous energy that sports, societies and all the people involved add to the Institute’s diverse student experience.

Fresher Footballer of the Year Daniel O’Keeffe and his family are immersed in Dromtariffe GAA and Ladies Football, Daniel a dual player on the club’s Junior B Hurlng team in addition to being part and parcel of the Junior A and successful u21 Football teams.