The format for the 2013 awards held in Clonduff Clubrooms on Sunday 16th March took a leaf out of the 125 Book! Proceedings were scheduled for 5pm on Sunday evening (though it was nearer 6pm when they got under way) and the awards were distributed between the courses.
Guests arriving at the Clubrooms were greeted with traditional music provided by our local musicians, Paul Kelly, Mary Catherine Murray, Tanya McAleenan and Raymond Matthews. Christina McConville got the formal proceedings underway with Amhrán na bhFiann and the event was very ably compered by our PRO Francis Quinn.
Special Guests of Honour on the day were:
Seamus Walsh (Cathaorleach Down Co Board), Philip O’Hare (Chairperson Down Ladies Board), Deirdre McGrath (Chairperson Down Camogie), Sean McNally (former Chairperson Down Handball), Paula Magee (Down Co Cultural Officer), Fr J Cushenan (Clonduff PP) and Dean A Davies (Club President) making a very welcome return to the club following his recent recovery from surgery.
Francis’ witty banter kept things moving along nicely and each of the guests kept their speeches brief, often witty and very much relevant to the Clonduff Club.
Individual award winners were:
Senior Footballer of the Year: Mark McPolin (accepted by his father Mick as Mark is on honeymoon)
Seconds Footballer of the Year: Noel McPolin
Thirds Footballers of the Year: Patrick Matthews
U20 Footballer of the Year: John Brown
Minor Footballer of the Year: Patrick O’Hagan
Senior Hurler of the Year: Shay Murnin
Senior Ladies Footballer of the Year: Kelly Fitzpatrick
Senior Camogie Player of the Year: Fionnuala Carr
Minor Camogie Player of the Year: Shannon O’Hagan
Club Person of the Year: Goretta Cairns – the most surprised person of the night as she had been invited to present her father’s trophy
Hall of Fame: Sean Murray
Special presentations were made to the Club’s All Ireland Winners:
Mark Copeland (Manager), Niall Tumilty, Rory McGreevy, Aaron Sherry – All Ireland Higher Education Div 3 League and Championship (SRC)
Shay Murnin – All Ireland Fresher’s Hurling (QUB)
Sean McNally – All Ireland Silver Masters Handball Singles
Teams that received medals were Senior Hurlers for 2012 Div 2 Hurling League which wasn’t decided until well into 2013; U20 B Football Champions and All County Minor Football League Runners Up.
The evening concluded with dancing with the music provided by Tommy Fitzpatrick. A great time was had by all!
