Cream of the Wicklow GAA crop announced
THE cream of the Wicklow GAA crop were announced to the club delegates at the County Convention on Monday night in Joule Park, Aughrim.
After magical years for Rathnew and Glenealy it’s no wonder that a player from each team have claimed the Club Senior Footballer and Hurler of the Year awards. For his huge work ethic and neversay-die attitude the Club Senior Footballer of the year is Nicky Mernagh while after a dream year there was really only one option for Club Senior hurler of the year and that was the superb Warren Kavanagh from Glenealy.
At county level it was Anthony McLoughlin who caught the eye of the awards committee as he battled bravely in the Garden County jersey in what was a difficult year for the flagship football side.
The skill, tenacity and magic of Andy O’Brien from St Patrick’s made him a convincing choice for county Senior hurler of the year after what was a wonderfully positive year for the Wicklow hurlers under Seamus Murphy and Michael Neary.
The pure class of Tony Hannon has secured him the Intermediate Footballer of the Year award. The Hollywood sharp-shooter led the way through the Wicklow championship and fired over some wonderful scores and a rocket of a penalty in their exciting Leinster clash with Emo in Hollywood.
Mark Miley has given the Laragh rollercoaster of 2017 an added lap by securing the Junior A Footballer of the Year award. He will have been pushed hard by a number of his colleagues but he is a very deserving winner thanks to his intelligent play and his ability to get those vital scores.
An impressive year for his beloved Rathnew has earned James Kavanagh the Junior B Footballer of the Year gong and his exploits entertained and impressed throughout.
Having emerged from the comforts of an injury-forced retirement, the fairytale season for Ashford’s Trevor Conyard continued when the pivotal player for the black and amber nailed the Junior C footballer of the Year award.
His seven-point haul in the final against Tinahely was impressive on its own right but it was his leadership and his bravery that helped Ashford over the line in more than just the championship decider. This championship meant something special to Trevor Conyard and this award will no doubt be the icing on his fully deserved cake.
At Minor level, Sean O’Brien’s Baltinglass turned in a superb display against Luke O’Toole’s in the decider in Joule Park, Aughrim, on county final day. Throughout their championship campaign it was the excellent Jack Hanlon who showed true leadership qualities on top of a scintillating footballing ability. He is a player that we will see plenty more of in the years to come, at club and county level no doubt.
Ronan Manley’s hurling ability and devotion to the red jersey of Glenealy earned him the Intermediate Hurler of the Year award.
Kiltegan’s Padraig O’Toole lit a fire in the Junior A hurling championship and showed his wealth of skills and his abundance of ability by leading the men from the west through their memorable season.
The clever and talented customer that is Jody Byrne from Carnew showed every inch of his class when he helped Carnew to win the Junor B hurling crown by defeating Bray Emmets in Ballinakill.
John O’Neill caught the eye at Junior C hurling level while David Maloney proved that he is one to watch at Minor level when he played a huge role in guiding the north Wicklow side to the Minor crown.
One of the rising stars of ladies football, Sarah Delahunt from St Patrick’s, received the Ladies Footballer of the Year award while the talented Nora O’Neill from Donard-the Glen secured the Camogie Player of the Year award.
Kilmac’s Peadar Smyth was a hugely successful Club Person of the Year award winner while Aughrim’s Dessie Burton was a fully deserved Lifetime Achievement award winner.
The handball world was also represented and the superb Christopher Doyle from Coolboy received the Handballer of the Year award.
County Senior footballer of the year - Anthony McLoughlin; Club footballer: Nicky Mernagh, IFC: Tony Hannon; JAFC: Mark Miley; JBFC: James Kavanagh; JCFC: Trevor Conyard; MFC: Jack Hanlon (Baltinglass)
County Senior hurling: Andy O’Brien; Club Senior hurling: Warren Kavanagh; IHC: Ronan Manley; JAHC: Padraig O’Toole; JBHC: Jody Byrne; JCHC: John O’Neill (St Pat’s); MHC: David Maloney (Bray Emmets)
Ladies football: Sarah Delahunt (St Patrick’s); Camogie: Nora O’Neill (Donard-The Glen); Club Person: Peadar Smyth (Kilmac); Lifetime Achievement: Dessie Burton (Aughrim); Handball: Christopher Doyle (Coolboy).
The awards will take place on January 20 at the Arklow Bay Hotel and promises to be a great night as alwayss.