Buttevant celebrate year of success
THERE was a very large gathering in Springfort Hall on Sunday where Buttevant underage teams in hurling football and camogie gathered together for their medal presentations.
Johnny Ryan was a very capable M.C. Joan Ryan Chairperson Camogie club welcomed the gathering and paid tribute to all who helped to make 2018 such a successful year.
Noel O’Mahony, Juvenile GAA Chairman Miceal MacCarthaighs spoke of the great success of the footballers and hurlers at under age level in recent years with 2018 also being a special season.
Fr Eugene Baker PP said Grace before meals and thanked all the players and mentors for their efforts during the year. The juvenile report was presented by Elaine Brosnan, while Maria O’Brien presented the report of the Camogie club.
Special Guest was Eimear Harrington a member of the Mourneabbey All Ireland winning Ladies Football side. Eimear a native of Buttevant will play Camogie with the club for the coming year. Presentation of medals were made by Eimear Harrington.
A résumé of Eimear Harrington’s achievements to date was given which is unique. In camogie she has won various underage and Minor county titles with Buttevant along with Under-16 and Minor Munster titles with Cork. She won a County Junior A Camogie title with Buttevant in 2011 and was player of the match in that final.
In football Eimear has won county Under 14, Under 16 and Minor Munster and All Ireland titles with Cork. She has also won a Senior B All Ireland title with Cork. In football with Mourneabbey Eimear has won various underage, Under-14, Under-16 and Minor county titles.
One of players in Ireland to have won All Ireland club titles at all three levels, Junior, Intermediate and Senior. Mourneabbey are the only club in Ireland to have achieved this.
The Under 6 and 8s were the first to the podium with their trainers and mentors Tom Delahunt, Brendan Murphy & Katrina McCarthy. During 2018 the Under-6s and 8s enjoyed a great season.
They played a number of blitzes and showcased the great skills at the Mary O’Neill Day. Katrina called out the various players who came forward for their presentations from Eimear Harrington.
The players were Clodagh Murphy, Rachel Delahunt Aoife McCarthy, Kate Leigh Forde, Chloe Lilley, Rhianna McGrath, Clara Whelan, Mia Barrett, Nadine Morrissey, Sophie Gardiner, Molly O’Reilly, and Shona Matthews.
John Brosnan came forward to outline about Buttevant’s Under 10s involvement with the ‘Come Hurl with Me’ programme. The Under 10s then came forward for their certificate presentations along with trainer John Brosnan, and mentors Lucy Corbett and Ann Shinnick.
This group included Zara Collins, Ellie Lehane, Lily Barrett, Megan O’Brien, Louise Hynes, Kate Shinnick, Vicky Curran, Mia Barrett, Ciara O’Shea, Phoebe Harold-Barry, Kate Noonan, Amanda Gardiner, Shona Murphy, Lauren Daly, Emma Delahunt, Aoife McCarthy, Sarah Linehan, Neila Fitzpatrick, Aoife Ryan, Kate Leigh-Forde, Molly Mai Carey and Leah Smith.
The Under-16 footballers were next, they competed in the Eastern Region A Football. They topped the table in Group 2. They then faced Youghal from Group 1 in the semi final. They defeated Youghal and progressed to meet Aghabullogue in the league final.
The Miceal MacCarthaighs side emerged winners by 6-10 to 2-7 to be crowned East A league champions. The team was trained by Joey Hanlon and John Walsh. This talented group then received their medals from Eimear Harrington.
Coach Joey Hanlon introduced the players who came forward as follows: Mark O’Connell (Capt) Brian O’Connor, Adam Horan, Conrad Cremin, Adrian Carey, Neal O’Connell, Kyle Trimm, Paul O’Keeffe, Michael O’Neill, Niall O’Riordan, Stephen Walsh, Donal Ryan, J C Guiney, Conor Hanlon, Kyle Bowles, Ryan Morrissey, Tyrone Madigan, Josh Maher, Edmund O’Donoghue, Aaron Trimm, David Hanlon, Billy O’Riordan, Hughie Spratt.
The next group were the Under-12 hurlers. Their mentors were Noel O’Mahony, Niall O’Neill and Thomas Lehane. Niall O’Neill introduced this fine panel of players who competed in the Northern Regional Hurling Division.
They finished second in the group stages. They progressed to play Ballycastle Gaels in the semi-final and then Milford in the final that they were victorious by 3-6 to 0-5 and claimed the Under 12 Purple Hurling League title.
The winning panel were introduced by Thomas Lehane who came forward: Aaron Horgan, Kieran Ryan, Cathal Byrne, James Salvin, Josh Lehane, Aidan O’Callaghan, John Dunlea, Jason Barrett, Conor O’Brien, Luke Mahony, Patrick O’Neill, Sean O’Callaghan, Luke Maher, Jack Spratt, Adam Corkery, Michael Horgan.
The Minor footballers were next up. Their mentors were Eoin Carroll, Tony Stack, Michael O’Neill and Ronan Donovan. They competed in the Rebel Og North MAFC. They finished the group stage joint top with Duarigle Gaels.
Both went to the MAFL final with Buttevant emerging winners by 4-12 to 2-4. Eoin Carroll called the players to the podium where they received their medals from Eimear Harrington.
They included Conor Stanners, Diarmuid Doody, Conrad Cremin, Niall O’Riordan, Paddy Behan, Michael O’Neill, Kyle Trimm, Gavin Carey, Jamie O’Brien, Dylan McAuliffe, Michael Walsh, Shane Callaghan, Billy Keane, Conor Hanlon, Mark Lenahan, Jamie Copps, Mark O’Connell, William O’Keeffe, Paul O’Keeffe, Ciaran McCarthy, Stephen Walsh, Donal Ryan, Adam Horan.
The next group were the Camogie Under-12s. Their mentors were Eoin Carroll, Gerry Ryan, Thomas Lehane, Joan Ryan, Anne O’Connell and Catherine Roche. In 2018 the Under-12s had a fantastic year topping their Under-12 C North Cork Group and progressing to the Under-12 C section A County.
They played outstanding Camogie games to reach the Under-12 C County final versus Erins Own in October. This brilliant game went to extra time with Erins Own coming out on top in the final moments of extra time.
Catherine Roche called up the players as follows who received their medals from Eimear: Jenny Duggan, Abigail Enright, Deirdre Cronin, Grace Cronin, Jayne Guerin, Grace O’Flynn, Leah Ducey, Aoibhe Hennessy, Orna O’Connor, Lily Jewitt, Stephanie O’Connell, Tara Dunlea, Kate Cremin, Ella Carroll, Ella Edaly, Ava Jenks, Sasha Smith, Kate Cotter, Vicky Curran, Ellie Lehane, Aoife Ryan, Megan O’Brien.
The next group were the Under-16 hurlers whose mentors were Gerry Ryan, Thomas Lehane, Michael O’Neill, Eoin Carroll and Colin Cremin. The Under-16 hurlers competed in the Northern Region B2 Hurling.
They entered the county stages as Regional runners up. Their county challenge began playing St Vincent’s in the county quarter final, Laochra Og in the semi final and Castlelyons in the county final. The Buttevant side ran out winners by 4-17 to 1-18 to claim the county Under 16 B2 Hurling Championship title in Castletownroche.
The players were introduced by Gerry Ryan and came forward for their medals: Michael O’Neill, Aaron Trimm, Conrad Cremin, Niall O’Riordan, Brian O’Connor, Mark O’Connell, Adrian Carey, Kyle Trimm, Conor Hanlon, J C Guiney, Donal Ryan, Kyle Bowles, Neal O’Connell, Ryan Morrissey, Edmund O’Donoghue, Josh Maher.
The next group were the Camogie Under-16s. There coaches were Kieran Kennedy, Gerry Ryan, Eoin Carroll, Thomas Lehane Maria O’Brien and Frankie O’Neill. This past year was a historic milestone being reached in Buttevant Camogie with the wonderful achievement of the Under-16s who completed an unique double winning county titles in both league and championship.
This achievement was due mainly to the skill, team effort and dogged determination of 19 girls who never gave up despite strong opposition and at times dreadful wintry conditions to bring victory and pride to their club, mentors, trainers, families and community.
The 2018 season which continued to December 8 was one of intense training sessions, fun, laughter and celebration. Johnny Ryan introduced the two captains Sarah Dunlea Championship and Rachel Enright League champions.
The players of the county finals were also honoured Rachel Brosnan and Lauren Dunlea.
Frankie O’Neill called out the panel with Eimear Harrington making the presentation of medals to the following:
Sarah Dunlea, Rachel Enright, Chloe Carroll, Orla Fitzmaurice, Rachel Lenahan, Abbie Carroll, Alison Dunlea, Rachel Brosnan (Player of the match) Championship county final, Eimear Kennedy, Laura O’Brien, Lauren Dunlea (Player of the match county league final) Kate O’Connell, Shannon Jewitt, Nicola Guinane, Blaithin Dunlea, Chloe Trimm, Amy Jenks, Leah Daly, Aine Shinnick.
The final presentations were made to the four players who played with the Cork Minor footballers in 2018: Diarmuid Doody, Michael O’Neill, Paddy Behan and Gavin Carey.
Joey Hanlon spoke on their behalf of their contribution to the Cork team, they were so unlucky to lose to Kerry in the Munster final. Three Buttevant Camogie players were also involved with Cork teams last year, Laura O’Brien, Rachel Brosnan, and Nicola Guinane.
The final presentation was made to Thomas Lehane who gave outstanding service to all the teams during the year having the field and facilities ready on all occasions.
Joan Ryan closed the event thanking Johnny Ryan for his great work. She was looking forward to the 2019 season.
She thanked all team mentors parents and supporters for their support to a very successful season.