Fermoy honours its heroes at Sports and Community awards
IT promised to be one of the highlights of this year’s Fermoy social calendar and in that regard it did not disappoint.
In fact, tickets for the 2016 Fermoy Sports and Community awards night last Saturday were in huge demand as the local community gathered to celebrate the outstanding achievements of the deserved winners.
The second outing of the awards, which were once again sponsored by the McCarthy Insurance Group, Fermoy Credit Union and the AIB, built on the success of its inaugural outing in 2014 with many nominations received across the different categories.
On arrival people were given the chance to relax over a glass of wine in the reception area of the Corrin Marts Events Centre, with a soundtrack provided by the Castlelyons Gospel Choir.
After that the more than 250 guests were ushered upstairs for the main event, a sumptuous meal and the handing out of awards – with Pat Morrissey of Fermoy Credit Union opening proceedings.
“Tonight we honour some of the outstanding sports stars, club administrators and community groups in the area. And I really do mean only some, because there are so many individuals and groups who perform tirelessly for their communities,” said Mr Morrissey.
“We have a lot to thank these people for and tonight is really just a small token of our appreciation to some of them,” said Mr Morrissey.
The MC for the evening, comedian Pat Shortt ensured the light hearted atmosphere continued throughout the evening as the award winners made their way up to the stage to the warm applause of the guests.
This included a staging ovation for the family of the late John Fenton, who was honoured with a posthumous Hall of Fame award for his work with, and on behalf of, Fermoy GAA.
Another popular winner on the night was the Palace Players who, in addition to winning the Community Group/Organisation of the Year award also scooped the overall award topping off what has been a phenomenal year for the group.
Awards were also handed out on the night to Catherine Sheehan and Ber Hunter who won the Sports Photograph and Community Photograph of the Year gongs.
Once the formalities were completed it was time for guests to ‘strut their stuff ’ as they danced into the wee hours of Sunday morning finishing off what had been by any measure a magnificent and truly memorable occasion.