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On Saturday, March 6th, 2010 Roscrea and the wider community came together in large numbers to recognise the sporting achievement of those from the area who have reached their highest echelons in their chosen sport.
The major sponsor again this year was Rosderra Meats (formerly Glanbia) who have sponsored the event for the past few years and without this support R.C.T.L.C. acknowledge that it would not be possible to continue staging these sports awards on an annual basis.
Hall of Fame Award----------Eamon England
Eamonn is a native of Cooleshall, Roscrea. His father, Tim, won a junior hurling medal with Camross in 1928. Eamonn himself began his hurling career in the street leagues in Roscrea. In 1956, while only 15 he helped Killavilla to their first Offaly junior title. He was an Offaly minor in 1957, 1958, and 1959. In 1959 he won an All Ireland inter firms with the ESB- along with a previous Hall of Fame recipient, the late Murt O'Donnell.
Eamon England was the recipient of the 2010 “Hall Of Fame Award” at last Saturday evenings RCTLC Sports Awards.
L/R: Pat O’Halloran (Rosderra), Eamon England and Bishop Willie Walsh
He played senior with Offaly before going to New York in 1962.Here he won a senior football medal with the Offaly team there in 1964. He was sports star in hurling in New York in 1966, and played for New York in the NHL final v Kilkenny in 1966, and Tipperary in 1967. He was on the New York All Star side in 1968.
Eamonn came back to Roscrea in 1976 with his wife and family, and commenced hurling with Kyle. He was on the side which lost to Timahoe in the 1976 junior B final, but the following year won JHC and JHL medals with Kyle, when Rosenallis and Ballacolla respectively, were defeated. Kyle were to reach the IHC final in 1978, only to lose to Abbeyleix. In Roscrea Eamonn is a current junior selector, and has served as a senior selector.
Athletics Award.........Ailbhe Carroll
Ailbhe is 18 years old, and presently studying Sports and Exercise science in the University of Limerick. Her ambition is to be a professional athlete and in time coach other athletes and help them achieve their dreams and goals.
As a child she played camogie with Roscrea and Tipperary, and was involved with horses for nine years. She accidentally took up running and randomly stumbled across triathlon. She liked the two so much she decided to give up camogie and horse riding and give the other two her undivided attention.
Ailbhe Carroll accepts the RCTLC Athletics Sports Award on Saturday evening last.
L/R:
Pat O’Halloran (Rosderra), Ailbhe Carroll, Bishop Willie Walsh and Rev Trevor Williams
It wasn’t until 6th year that she actually became a member of Templemore athletics club and competed in both cross-country and on track for a proper season. Ailbhe competed at both U18 and U19 level where she finished well in most of these races from county to All Ireland level. The first race of the season was the U18 county cross country where she finished 4th, followed by the U19 where she finished 3rd. Qualifying on the county team in both the U18 and U19 Munster races meant we were off to the All Irelands in both age groups. Being injured through all of these races made the experience a little less enjoyable but Tipperary still managed to bring home a silver medal in the U19 All Ireland. The schools cross country season kicked off then where once again she finished in 4th place and her school team got the silver medal. The Munster schools saw her finish in 8th place and their team brought home the silver medals again. Unfortunately their luck was to run out as they ran in the All Ireland. They missed out on the team medal by one spot to finish in 4th place.
The indoor season both school and club level took place then. She didn’t race too many indoor races due to her injury but she finished 3rd in the 1500m Munster indoors, and 2nd and 3rd in the schools 600m and 1200m respectively.
Her outdoor season was short lived unfortunately. The only meet Ailbhe managed to take part in, was held in her own club, Templemore, in April, and she finished 2nd there in the 800m.
After the athletics season ended, Ailbhe concentrated on triathlons, where she had a very successful season finishing top of her age group in the national series. She was presented with an award for winning her age group. The highlight of last season was competing in the European age group duathlon championship in Budapest where she finished first in her age group and brought a gold medal back home. Now Ailbhe is presently recovering from an injury that took her out of competition for 5 months. She is slowly getting back into a good training regime and has hopes of making the Irish development squad in April.
Camogie Award........Offaly Camogie Team
Offaly Junior Team Achievements
Marian Crean accepts the RCTLC Camogie Sports Award on Saturday evening last.
L/R:
Niall Layden (Rosderra), Pat O’Halloran (Rosderra), Marian Crean, Bishop Willie Walsh and Rev Trevor Williams
Leinster League Titles 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994.
Leinster Championships 1999, 2001.
National League Titles 2001 and 2002
All Ireland Final Appearances 2001 lost to Tipperary 2008 lost to Clare (late goal in injury time)
2009 Victory over Waterford 3 – 14 to 2 – 8
2009 Success built on Leinster Title won by U.18 Team in 1999 with victory over Kilkenny, and the All Ireland U.18B Title won in 2008 with victory over Waterford 4 – 13 to 2 – 9.
Also the U.16B Leinster and All Ireland Titles in 2005
Offaly progress was recognised in 2008 with Michaela Morkan receiving a Camogie All Star. Also Offaly received Six Soaring Stars Awards in 2009
Audrey Kennedy, Fiona Stephens, Elaine Dermody, Arlene Watkins,
Karen Brady, Michaela Morkan.
Golf Award--------Joanne Mann
Joanne is married to Ron. Joanne returned from the UK in April 2004 and became a member of Roscrea Golf Club in September of the same year. She had lessons at the Kevin McGrath Golf Academy at Birr Golf Club, and she commends Kevin for helping to improve her game. She started playing with a handicap of 36 in the same year, which is now down to 18. Joanne commenced the year 2009 with a handicap of 22 which increased to 23 but steadily reduced during the year to her current handicap of 18. Her greatest achievement in 2009 was the capturing of the most esteemed prize of ‘Golfer of the Year’. Throughout the year her golf performance was steady with a few 3rd place finishes, however, on the last day of the Competition while lying 1 point behind the leader, her golf performance reached an all-time high where she brought in a score of 44 points winning the competition, the Golfer of the Year and losing 2 shots.
Joanne Mann is pictured here accepting the RCTLC Sport s Award for Golf at the annual awards ceremony on Saturday evening last.
Niall Layden (Rosderra), Pat O’Halloran (Rosderra), Joanne Mann, Bishop Willie Walsh and Rev Trevor Williams
Joanne loves to play golf and does so at every opportunity. She is privileged to have been selected on several team competitions over the last 5 years being selected to play on the Heineken mixed now the Diageo mixed team for the last 3 years, and has been part of several teams both ladies and mixed. Joanne thoroughly enjoys playing different courses and always gets enormous satisfaction and enjoyment in representing Roscrea Golf Club. This is a great honour to represent her club. Joanne looks forward to many more years golfing.
Handball Award---------Michéal O’Brien
Michéal has won numerous under age Leinster and All Ireland titles. He is a 2007 Irish open finalist, a Munster Open finalist, a Leinster 40x20 Junior B Singles and Doubles winner, 60x30 Leinster and All Ireland Junior B champion.
Men’s C World Champion in 2009
The RCTLC Sports Award for Handball went to Michael O’Brien.
Pat O’Halloran (Rosderra), Michael O’Brien, Bishop Willie Walsh
and Rev Trevor Williams
Hurling Award ----------- John O’Brien
John, from the famed Toomevara club, younger brother of Paddy, won a Leinster Colleges senior B medal with Cistercian College in 1997, and three years later won an All Ireland medal with the college. That side coached by Hugh Mc Donnell included also his Tipp colleague Hugh Maloney, current Wexford footballer Redmond Barry, Conor Phelan who captained Kilkenny to All Ireland intermediate hurling title in 2008, while captain Peter Garvey won All Ireland minor honours with Galway in 2000.
John O’Brien was recipient of the RCTLC “Hurling Award”
Pat O’Halloran (Rosderra), John O’Brien, Bishop Willie Walsh
and Rev Trevor Williams
John won Munster minor with Tipp in 1999 and Munster under 21 in 2003.He made his senior debut in the NHL against Laois in 2001 and championship debut v Limerick that year. Munster and All Ireland medals came his way in 2001, and he was to gain further Munster medals in 2008 and 2009.He was RTE man of the match in the 2008 Munster final, he also won an NHL medal that year.
With his beloved Toomevara he has won seven county and two Munster county medals and has also won man of the match award in 3 county finals. John made a great contribution to Tipp’s great campaign of 2009, which saw All Ireland glory snatched away by Kilkenny in the closing minutes. His performances over the championship earned him an All Star nomination.
Gaelic Football Award-------Paul Cahillane
Paul is a member of Belvedere Football Club squad winning DDSL U12 League medal. DDSL U15 cup medal and SFAI National Cup U14 and U15. He was Leinster Express People of the Year 2005 Soccer Award. He was capped by Republic of Ireland for soccer frommU15 to U19 (32 caps). Paul represented Ireland in 2006 U17 and 2008 U19 European Championships. He is a member of the Irish squad winning the U18 Lisboa Invitational Trophy in 2007.
Paul Cahillane receives the RCTLC “Gaelic Football” award at the recent RCTLC Sports Awards.
L/R:
Pat O’Halloran, (Rosderra), Paul Cahillane, Bishop Willie Walsh
and Rev Trevor Williams
He was with Glasgow Celtic Football Club from 2005 – 2008. Paul is a member of Portlaoise GAA Squad, winning U12, U14, U16 Football Championships. He won 1 Leinster Senior Football Championship 2006 (Portlaoise) m U21 Laois Football Champions 2008 (Portlaoise), 2 Senior Football League Titles 2008/2009, 1 Senior Football Championship Title 2009 (Portlaoise). He is a member of the 2009 and 2010 U21 Laois Football Panel. Paul won the AIB Leinster Senior Cub Footballer of the Year 2009.
Rugby Award------------Roscrea Rugby Club - Diamond Jubilee
The present club was founded in March 1950 with H.M Read as president. One of the vice-presidents was Dr Joe Wallace. Both of these men had been capped for Ireland and were honoured last October when a commemorative photographic collage was unveiled in the clubhouse in Streamstown. The other vice-president was W.B Woods.
Hon. Secretaries were C.T Dougan and E. Gilmartin. Hon. Treasurer was L.T Maher.
Club Captain was R Rafter and vice captain E Gilmartin.
Committee: Rev E Hogan CC, J Meagher, J. Coonan, W Burke and R Rafter.
The first trophy was won in 1952/53 when the Garryowen Cup was won.
Norman Carter representing Roscrea Rugby Club receives the 2010 RCTLC Rugby Award
L/R:
Pat O’Halloran, Norman Carter, Bishop Willie Walsh and
Rev Trevor Williams
The most important trophy is of course the Provincial Towns Cup and this was won in 1975 and again in 1980. The Midland League has been won on numerous occasions by both first’s and second’s.
The present club captain is Daire Coughlan and Paul McNamara is vice captain. Second’s captain is Ollie Stapleton. First’s team coach is John Lillis. Second’s team coach is Brian O Rourke.
This is the 7th season of women’s rugby in Roscrea. The present captain is Sinead Feehen and the coach is Michael Lynch.
The club had a huge interest in youth rugby with the golden era being in the seventies when many Leinster trophies were won with Ken Henderson in charge. The good work is being continued with Terry Farrelly in charge and teams from under 7 to under 17 tog out every week.
The clubhouse at Steamstown was officially opened by the then president of IRFU Kevin Quilligan on September 10th 1978. It comprises of four spacious dressing rooms, showers, toilets, kitchen, bar and function room. It is a very popular venue for disco’s and other functions. There are two full size pitches and a training area which is floodlit.
The current president is Norman Carter and Paddy Cody is the senior vice president. John Kirby and Michael Talbot are also vice presidents. Hon. secretary is Pat Bourke and the treasurer is Denis Meagher.
Soccer Award--------Allen Lynch
Allen is a Sales rep for Britvic Ireland. Allen is married to Angela and has 4 children. He is son of Anne and Dickie Lynch, Limerick Street, Roscrea. He has being refereeing since 1998. Allen started at school boy level and then junior football. He joined the senior referees panel for the League of Ireland in 2005. He joined the International Referees Panel in 2008 as a FIFA Assistant Referee.
Alan Lynch received the “Soccer” award at the recent RCTLC Annual Sports Awards.
Pat O’Halloran, Alan Lynch, Bishop Willie Walsh and Rev Trevor Williams.
Nationally Allen has officiated at the highest level in Irish soccer. His first cup final was assistant referee in the League Cup Final in 2008. He would regularly officiate at International friendlies in all age groups in Ireland. Internationally, Allen has being lucky to officiate in countries such as Slovakia, Sweden, Estonia, and Albania in both EUFA Cup Matches and International Matches. Allen’s greatest appointment was Assistant Referee in this years FAI Senior Cup Final 2009 – a day he will never forget. Allen would also like to thank his wife Angela as without her he could not of achieved any of this.
Youth/Special Award-----------Liam Brady
G A A : Liam is currently a member of the Offaly Minor Hurling Panel for 2010 and plays Senior Hurling Colleges with St Brendan’s Community College Birr. His Hurling Club is Coolderry and he is playing Minor & U21 & Intermediate, and hopes to be playing Senior this season.
Horse riding: Mainly a hobby. Liam has represented St Brendan’s school at the All Ireland Hunter Trials and Inter schools indoor show jumping. He has enjoyed several days hunting with the Ormond Hunt, and he has competed at the Roscrea Equestrian Centre.
Liam Brady received the “Youth Award” on Saturday last at the annual RCTLC Sports Awards.
L/R Pat O’Halloran (Rosderra), Liam Brady, Bishop Willie Walsh and Rev Trevor Williams
Athletics: This being his first year in Athletics Liam has enjoyed it greatly. His school coach Mr Jimmy Dunne entered him in the south Leinster Cross Country and he qualified all the way through to the All Ireland finals in Belfast with little experience. He ran a good race and finished in a good place, with advice from Jimmy Dunne and Eamonn Coughlan. He joined Tullamore Harriers and was lucky to be accepted by their head coach Robert Denamede, (A Tipp man he might add), Under Roberts strict training programmes he have achieved Leinster and All Ireland successes on the track this season. His achievements at cross country in Leinster and all Ireland to date, has brought recognition from the Irish selectors who selected him on the Irish Junior men’s team which competed in the Celtic international in Antrim. This was a great experience the team came in second overall and for him being the first Irish runner home and narrowly beaten into fourth place by Scotland. It was very significant as all these runners have competed at European and international level. He looks forward to the season ahead and hopefully will get to represent Ireland again in the years ahead.
Achieved: Athletics Leinster Star Award 2009: Irish Selection (Junior Men): Cross Country All Ireland U/19 (Silver): All Ireland Cross Country U/18 (Bronze): Two Team all Ireland U/18 & U19 (Gold): All Ireland Track & Field Club U/18 1500 (Bronze): All Ireland Track & Field Club U/18 3000 Gold : All Ireland Track & Field Schools U/17 3000 (Silver): Leinster Track & Field Schools U/18 3000 (Gold.)
Club of the Year Award-----------Borris-in-Ossory GAA
Intermediate
After reaching the final for two years running the intermediates began their league campaign in the senior ranks for 2009. With their first match on the 3rd of May against Abbeyleix they came out convincing winners, they gained valuable experience from the senior league which was to stand to them at later stages, playing tougher opponents and faster games. They bowed out of the league against The Harps with their sights and determination set firmly on the Heathering Cup which had previously eluded them. They opened their championship run with a great win over Camross on the 24th of July, and next defeated Mountmellick on August 27th. This left them top of their group and reaching the knock out stages to meet Clough/Ballacolla in the quarter final. They overcame Ballacolla gallantly to land a semi-final spot against a much tougher Clonad, after a hard fought game with a final score of 2-16 top 3-11 they came out on top, delighted to be back in the final for a third year running but anxious to finally see it through. The final was set for Sunday the 11th of October against Ballyfin and proved to be a close affair. Both teams came out fighting from the start but it was Borris who had the edge and determination to see it through on the day. There was great joy and celebrations after the final whistle blew and they came away with a three point win. It was a long road from February when training began and two tough years and defeats behind them, a monumental effort and determination was put in during the year and finally paid off. Congratulations to all involved most notably captain Ronan Kelly and his team, Manager Jack Walsh and selectors Edmund Sheeran and Brendan Dollard.
Borris In Ossory GAA Club was voted RCTLC “Club Of The Year”. Chairman Cathal O’Donnell received the award on the club’s behalf.
L/R:
Pat O’Halloran (Rosderra), Cathal O’Donnell, Bishop Willie Walsh and
Rev Trevor Williams
Minors
The Borris/Kilcotton minors also had a gallant year and can look back on 2009 with pride after also claiming the championship title, they overcame tough opponents in Abbeyleix/Ballypickas and Portlaoise to meet Clough/Ballacolla in the final and after a fantastic match with great hurling on both sides they emerged winners by a 3-point victory.
U14
The U14 year started with preparation of the Feile na Gael. Their visiting team for the weekend was St. Jude’s from Dublin. They qualified for the quarter final only to loose to the eventual champions Portlaoise. They also reached the League Final where they were again beaten by Portlaoise in extra time. They reached the Championship Final where again their opponents were Portlaoise and after a great display of hurling they emerged as winners beaten this much fancied Portlaoise side.
U16
The U16 team made history this year by becoming the first U16 team to win a U16A Championship by beating strong favourites Clough/Ballacolla in a thrilling final.
Sports Personality-----------Gerry Carroll
Hurling: Gerry played with (a) Ashbury in Roscrea Street Leagues, (b) Boys National School in hurling final, (c) Roscrea Vocational School in winning the Tipperary Football Final, (d) Ballyskenach in Offaly County Minor Final, (e) Crawford Institute Cork, (f) Killavilla in Offaly Junior County Final, (g) Inter-Firms hurling with Roscrea Meats and Midland Health Board.
Soccer: Killavilla 2nds.
Congratulations to Gerry Carroll, winner of the 2010
RCTLC “Sports Personality” award.
L/R:
Niall Layden, (Rosderra ) Pat O’Halloran, (Rosderra ), Gerry Carroll, Bishop Willie Walsh, Rev Trevor Williams and John Lupton. (RCTLC)
Rugby: Roscrea 3rd.
Cycling: 3 Cooperation North Cycles. Best times: 5 hours 10 mins.
Athletics: (a) Won Dublin Half Marathon Team race and Dublin County Council Cross Country Team race. (b) Won Tipperary Track and Field (Bill Hyland Cup) with Roscrea. (c) Won Offaly Intermediate Cross Country Silver medal with Ballyskenach A.C. (d) Won Dublin Business Houses Cross Country with H.S.E. team. (e) Won Silver medal in a Fell Running race in Bristol, England, (f) Won team silver medal in Lancashire ½ marathon, England. (g) Ran race on Croagh Patrick.
Gerry has run 34 marathons in total – 30 Dublin Marathons, 2 National Marathons (1 Cork, 1 Limerick), 1st London Marathon, 1 Boston Marathon.
Of the 34 marathons 31 were sub 4 hours, of the 31 14 in a row were sub 3 hours, the best time being 2 hours 41 mins. The other 3 times the Marathon was Boss!
Gerry coached Ballyskenach juveniles with Monty Franks and Nicola Lalor and with a great group of athletes won many Offaly and Leinster Cross Country and 9 All Ireland Cross Country Medals.
Contribution to Sport Award---------------------Pat Sheedy
Pat Sheedy was recipient of the RCTLC “Contribution To Sport” award at the annual RCTLC Sports Awards on Saturday evening last.
L/R:
Pat O’Halloran, (Rosderra) Pat Sheedy, Bishop Willie Walsh
& Rev Trevor Williams
1979 Pat won Dean Ryan Cup (Hurling) with St. Flannan’s College, Ennis.
1970 he won the Fitzgibbon Cup with University College, Galway.
1975 Pat captained Moneygall to win first County Senior Hurling title.
1980 – 1982 Pat was Secretary of Moneygall GAA.
1974 – 1999 he was underage coach with Moneygall Hurling Club.
1978 – 2009 Pat was Hurling Coach in the Cistercian College, Roscrea.
1995 – 1998 he was Chairman of Moneygall GAA.
1998 – 1999 Pat was a winner of the Dooley Cup matchplay in Roscrea Golf Club.
2001 – Pat was Captain of Roscrea Golf Club.
2009 – 2010 - President of Roscrea Golf Club.
Special Recognition Award----------Bishop Willie Walsh
Bishop Willie Walsh hails from Roscrea parish and has always had a huge interest in sport, principally hurling. His presence at most of the RCTLC Sports Stars awards presentation nights is ample proof of his tremendous enthusiasm for sport while his encouraging words to awards recipients are always so much appreciated.
While on the teaching staff of St Flannan's College in Ennis he masterminded several Harty Cup and All-Ireland colleges victories along with Fr Seamus Gardiner, now P.P Portroe. Such was the quality of his work, the shrewdness of his sideline tactics that it came as little surprise that his services should have been sought by Clare management teams.
Bishop Willie Walsh who was guest of honour at the RCTLC Sports awards on Saturday evening last was also a recipient of the annual “Special Recognition” award and is pictured here receiving that award from RCTLC Chairman, Mr John Lupton.
L/R:
Pat O’Halloran (Rosderra), John Lupton (RCTLC), Bishop Willie Walsh and Rev Trevor Williams.
When Tipp's Len Gaynor took over management of the Clare senior team in the early 1990s, he had the then Fr Willie by his side. He might well have been there in that capacity in Clare's historic break-through year, 1995, only that his appointment to the See of Killaloe made it impossible for him to continue.
Bishop Willie has always had a keen interest in golf and and he prepares to step down from the diocesan duties that have kept him so busy for the past fifteen years, perhaps he will find more time in which to indulge his love for the game.
Friends and supporters of Joanne Mann and Pat Sheedy were out in force on Saturday evening last to congratulate both on receiving
RCTLC Sports Awards.
Ailbhe Carroll’s family and friends pictured at the annual RCTLC Sports Awards which took place on Saturday evening last at the Racket Hall, Hotel. Ailbhe won the athletics award.
Back L/R:
Pat Carroll, Ailbhe Carroll, Sinead Dooley, Eilis Dooley, Martin Dooley and Padraig Ahearne.
Front L/R
Chrissy Ahearne, Eilis Kenny, Jackie Carroll and Noel Ahearne.
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