Corkery, Cloonan win awards

COLIN CORKERY won his second straight AIB GAA provincial player award in the AIB Bankcentre yesterday, while Athenry’s star forward Eugene Cloonan became the first player to win three awards.

Cloonan’s 4-17 in the Connacht final and All-Ireland quarter-final helped him pick up the prize, while his brave performance in Athenry’s semi-final defeat to Birr, he scored all but one of his side’s total despite a back injury, showed his worth to the club’s cause.

Nemo’s Corkery joins Birr’s Brian Whelahan, Crossmaglen’s Oisin McConville and Dunloy’s Alistair Elliot as a player to have been best club player in his province twice.

Corkery’s flawless kicking has been one of the main reasons behind Nemo’s march to the All-Ireland final on Paddy’s Day weekend.

Birr and Dunloy, who clash in the hurling decider, were represented at the award ceremony. Rory Hannify picked up the award in Leinster while Gregory O’Kane took the Ulster prize.

The awards, in their seventh year, recognise excellence in the club championship.

Dunshaughlin’s Niall Kelly, Crossmolina’s Kieran McDonald and Eirrgal Ciaran’s Peter Canavan picked up the remainder of the football honours.

Mount Sion’s Ken McGrath was acknowledged with being instrumental in the Waterford club winning their Munster title.

For the first time, two coaches were recognised. Val Andrews , the former Sigerson-winning coach of Tralee IT and latterly Cavan manager, was given the football award for his work with Ballymun Kickhams. which included the installation of the first floodlit artifical Gaelic pitch. Francie Casey, who has done so much to keep hurling alive in a small area in Armagh, was given the hurling honour.

“The All-Ireland Club Championships continues to go from strength to strength and I think this year’s competitions provided some memorable games,” said GAA President Sean McCague, who evoked memories of winning the Ulster title with his club, Scotstown. “While club success is based above all else on team spirit and group endeavour, none the less there were some outstanding individual performances this year and it is fitting that they should be recognised today.”

Full list of award winners:

Hurling: Connacht: Eugene Cloonan (Athenry), Leinster: Rory Hannify (Birr), Munster: Ken McGrath (Mount Sion), Ulster: Gregory O’Kane (Dunloy).

Football: Connacht: Kieran McDonald (Crossmolina), Leinster: Niall Kelly (Dunshaughlin), Munster: Colin Corkery (Nemo Rangers), Ulster: Peter Canavan (Errigal Ciaran).