Landers presents minor medals at victory social
THERE was a fine attendance at the Ballygiblin/Mitchelstown Juvenile GAA Victory Social in the Firgrove Hotel on Saturday night.
2016 proved a very successful year for the hurlers and footballers. They won the County Premier (2) MFC title, the County Premier 2 MFL title along with the hurlers winning the Rebel Og North MAHC and County MAHC titles.
Amongst the guests were Canon Tim O’Leary, Peter Watson, Secretary Rebel Og North, Ned Coughlan, a member of the Mitchelstown team that won the County MFC title in 1960, and Mark Landers, former Cork All Ireland winning captain who made the presentation of medals.
Dave Harte, Chairman of the Juvenile club, spoke of the great success during the past year describing them as a very special bunch of players. He spoke of success which included the CBS where great team work, dedication and the fact that the refused to be beaten. He referred to two games where they were held to draws by Fermoy and Castlelyons in the County MAHC but came out on top in the replays. He said he was looking forward to see the players going forward and urged them to stick with it saying your future is very bright. He thanked the players, mentors and families. Some of the selectors have been involved with these players since they were under 6.
Mr Harte encouraged some of the players to come back and get involved in coaching. He felt there was a huge debt of gratitude to the schools - CBS and St Fanahan’s.
Peter Watson, newly elected secretary of the Rebel Og North Board, paid tribute to all involved in a very successful 2016. The winning of the Eamonn O’Sullivan All Ireland Senior FC title was a huge boost to the region and he paid tribute to the work of teachers Willie Duggan, Anthony Nash and Cillian Bohane in promoting the games. He felt that with the talent available to Ballygiblin and Mitchelstown at underage level further success should be achieved in the years to come.
John Irwin on behalf of the Minor footballers paid tribute to the dedication of the players. The thanked his fellow selectors, parents and stated that the achievements of 2016 were massive and he hoped the players would continue playing football and hurling into adult life.
Liam Lewis, on behalf of the hurling selection committee, spoke of the great success of the hurlers and footballers in the past year. To bring two county titles was an unique achievement. He thanked the football management for their support and co-operation. He spoke of the joy on the day on October 8 when they won the County MAHC title on the faces of founder club members Jim Moher, Tim Mackessy, Jerry O’Keeffe, Ned Barry, Mick Reidy and Johnny Barry who were at the county final. He paid tribute to the other selectors and to the huge contribution of David Heaphy (coach). The contributions of Christopher Noonan and David Norris who were not present were also mentioned.
There was a presentation made to Joanne Heaphy in recognition of her great work in First Aid to the teams during the past couple of years.
Mary Hannon CBS Secondary School Principal congratulated the players for their achievements.
“County titles are hard to win and to win two says lots about the talent and ability within the group but also their dedication, their determination and resilience,~” she said.
“They had to dig deep on occasions – particularly in hurling games against Fermoy St. Catherine’s and Castlelyons, and that willingness to work as a team and fight for one another is a trait that will stand to them not just in sport but in so many other paths in life.
“Indeed most will have heard us talk in school about the importance of working hard to make the most of your ability – and if you can do it on the field, you can do it in other areas too.”
Ms Hannon said someone once described success as 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.
“We might debate about his percentages, but the central theme cannot be denied – that of having to put in the effort, talent and ability alone is not enough. Well done to each and everyone of the players for that. These wins were sweet indeed for the mentors involved, sincere thanks and congrats.
“Many of the mentors here have been involved in training these boys since they were five or six years old and must take great personal satisfaction from the part they have played in these successes. Many of us forget that all of the mentors involved are working with the lads in a voluntary capacity. They are at every training session, every match. As parents it is important for us to remember the commitment that the mentors give to our children. Without it, clubs like this and teams such as these would not flourish.
“Players need to remember this, we as parents need to remember this, and we should all be playing our parts in helping out. Our sons are benefiting hugely from being members of the club, and I am not just talking about winning titles – so we should do what we can to repay some of this. We can’t all train teams but there may be other areas we can help with – I very much doubt that an offer of assistance will be turned down by the club. For many of the boys the club team is just one of the teams they are members of.
“There are boys on the panels who are also on Cork squads. The challenge of managing the demands on them is a huge one, and one to be honest I worry is not taken seriously enough. I know it is one of huge concern for us in the school. We all owe it to the players to work together to ensure that they are not burned out, or browned off before they reach adult teams. To that end I want to thank the club for working with us in the school during our successes this year and last.
“Co-operation is essential between us all. The players will be the losers if unrealistic and unfair demands are made of them. Many of the boys here have played their final games for the Juvenile club and will be moving on to the adult grades. I sincerely hope that you will stay with the hurling and football as you move on. This group is a talented group and has enjoyed a lot of success. I hope that the two adult clubs are working on how to integrate you into their panels over the coming years. Managed properly, this group has the ability to do great things in the jerseys of Ballygiblin and Mitchelstown.
Mark Landers who captained Cork hurlers to All Ireland success in 1999 was the special guest.
He said he rarely presents medals but he had an association with Mitchelstown having been in the TSB Bank when it opened first and his first game with St Colman’s College was in Ballygiblin.
He spoke of the great vibrancy in two successful clubs with the achievements of 2016 being massive. He spoke about the future for these players and the challenges that lay ahead are higher with the rewards being greater. He urged the players to keep playing and thanked the supporters, parents and mentors for their great work.
He made a presentation to Darragh O’Flynn in recognition of he being captain of the Tony Forristal side that won the All Ireland Under-14 Hurling last year.
Mr Landers then presented the Minor hurling and football medals to Conor Coughlan, Seamus Coleman, Cillian Dollion, Shane Doyle, Dylan Farrelly, Tadhg Finn, Lorcan Finn, Killian Finn, Eoin Finn, Kieran Fox, Josh Irwin, Mark Keane, Jack Lewis, Shane Murphy, Jack O’Brien, Kieran O’Doherty, Padraigh O’Gorman, Cathal O’Mahony, Sean O’Sullivan, Cathal O’Sullivan, Jack O’Sullivan, Christopher O’Sullivan, George Pendle, Dylan Reidy-Price, Killian Roche, Stephen Roche, Sean Walsh, Jordan White, Brian White, John O’Grady, Danny Keane and Kevin Finn.