Cuchulainns and St Kevins take Rebel Óg awards
A quartet of national Féile na nGael titles for Cuchulainns, St. Kevins, Na Piarsaigh and Sarsfields confirmed the next generation of hurlers and camogie players made a bold statement on capturing All Ireland titles in Kilkenny.
Fittingly the four winners featuring two North Cork victors were recognised as monthly recipients of the Cork Rebel Óg GAA Award at a function in the Clayton Silversprings Hotel.
Cuchulainns comprising Kanturk and Lismire competed for Feile na nGael national finals for the first time since Belfast in 2000. Hosted by Rower Inistioge of Kilkenny, Cuchulainns bettered Tullaroan (Kilkenny), Cuchullains(Armagh), Rower Inistioge, Crossabeg-Ballymurn (Wexford) and Emeralds (Kilkenny) to reach a final.
On doing, the Duhallow side returned to a Féile Final and recall memories of 1976 where they were defeated by Cobh in the newly opened Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Nowlin Park played host to the 2017 decider, Cuchulainns overcame Wexford opponents Oylegate-Glenbrien in a highly impressive performance, their slicker stickwork became very evident to land Division 6 silverware.
Meanwhile St Kevins, a club founded in 2010 combining Ballyclogh and Milford collected the Division 11 grade in Kilkenny. For the 2017 Feile na nGael, St. Kevin’s set out for the coastal village of Ballygarrett in North Wexford and overcame Ballygarrett, Maynooth, Camolin, Tralee Parnells and Portlaoise to advance to a decider.
Galway opponents Mountbellew/Moylough looked formidable yet St. Kevins balance and superior hurling teamwork delivered a stunning victory with play out of the drawer in the decider.
County Development Officer Richard Murphy extended congratulations to the triumphant teams on their selection as monthly winners of the Rebel Óg Award in association with Cummins Sports.
“Winning the award isn’t just a result of the work that was done this season but this is the culmination of hard work and commitment over many years. These successful teams have shown a great attitude in both training and matches and this recognition award is a terrific boost to the time and effort that goes into preparation by the players and the support from parents and clubs”, he said.
Chairman Rebel Óg John Purcell said the main focus of Rebel Óg is to support and develop Gaelic Games at club and school levels for players taking part in activities up to eighteen years of age.
“Rebel Óg is conscious of the contribution of clubs and schools to the nurturing and development of Gaelic games and the Awards recognise and acknowledge endeavour and achievement within the communities of the recipients such as the Feile winners”, he said.
The adjudicating panel comprise former Cork hurlers Seán O’Gorman and Mark Landers along with well known referee Donal McCarthy; former Chairperson of Cork Camogie Board, Ms. Miriam Murphy and presiding Chairman Michael Evans.