The Kerryman (South Kerry Edition)
Pádraig Boyle is hurler of the year at fifth hurling All Star awards
THE fifth Annual Awards for the Kerry County Championship Hurling All Stars was held in the Railway Bar Lixnaw last Saturday night. The awards, as always were in recognition of the best individual performances in this year’s Championship. The special guests were John Lucid, Kerry County Council, a former player himself, and, Johnny Bunyan the dual player, and Ballyduff great who played in thirteen county finals, winning eight - six in hurling and two in football - along with All-Ireland medals in both hurling and football with Kerry. He also captained Ballyduff to Championship success in 1972, in a career which marked him out as one of the greatest ever players to play for both his club and his county.
Five Ballyduff players featured in this year’s team, with, three of those PJ Gorman, Cathal Kearney and Jack O’Sullivan winning their first awards. Former Players of the Year, Darren Dineen, Daniel Collins, and Padraig Boyle were also included with Ballyduff’s ace attacker who scored 4-51 in this year’s Championship winning campaign becoming the first player to win the Senior Player of the Year twice.
Sean Weir from Crotta O’Neills was also a first time recipient, becoming only the second player from his club to win an award. Selected for the first time also were Abbeydorney duo James O’Connor who made his International Shinty debut one week previous and dual player Kieran Dineen along with powerhouse midfielder David Griffin from St Brendans. The Conway brothers who contributed 2-55 between them to Lixnaw’s tally in the Championship were selected alongside each other in the full forward line with Shane picking up his first award along with his second as the Young Player of the Year.
This year’s Championship provided some extremely exciting and competitive encounters, especially in the latter stages, and, indeed the attendance at the final and the replay marched that of the football decider. Mike O’Halloran who originally initiated the concept five years ago organised, promoted and co ordinated this year’s event.
Once more the generosity of the clubs and the sponsors helped to finance the event. It has over its duration become an established date on both Kerry’s sporting and social calendar. However, the indications are that it might well be the last, and might not continue in its present format, with those organising it likely to step down. If it is to be the final function of its kind, it would be a great pity, given that, it has provided a platform for those players who have scaled the heights on the biggest hurling stage in the Kingdom, and, for that, Mike O’Halloran must be given due recognition, and a lot of credit for his extensive efforts and the manner in which he almost single handedly put together a quite special sporting and social package.
All Star Team: PJ Gorman (Ballyduff), Sean Weir (Crotta O’Neills), Paud Costello (Ballyduff), Cathal Kearney (Ballyduff), Brendan Brosnan (Lixnaw), Darren Dineen (St Brendans), Kieran Dineen (Abbeydorney), John Griffin (Lixnaw), David Griffin (St Brendans), James O’Connor (Abbeydorney), Daniel Collins (Kilmoyley), Jack O’Sullivan (Ballyduff), Padraig Boyle (Ballyduff), Mike Conway (Lixnaw), Shane Conway (Lixnaw)
Senior Player of the Year: Padraig Boyle (Ballyduff)
Young Player of the Year: Shane Conway (Lixnaw)