Stars come out on night to remember for West Cork LGFA

At the West Cork LGFA Awards in the Celtic Ross Hotel on Saturday night were, front, from left, Donal McCarthy, chairman Drinagh Co-Op; John Mackessy, East Cork LGFA Board representative; Libby Coppinger, guest of honour; John McCarthy, chairman West Cork LGFA, and John Bohane, MC. Back, from left, Paul O'Callaghan, treasurer West Cork LGFA; Anne O'Grady, assistant chairperson West Cork Board LGFA; Sandra O'Sullivan, West Cork LGFA Board; Miriam Forbes, Development Officer LGFA; Eleanor O'Connell, secretary West Cork LGFA, and Kathryn Courtney, PRO West Cork LGFA.

Fifteen West Cork LGFA Player of the Match award trophies were handed out to appreciative recipients representing the region’s U12, U13, U14, U15, and U16 age grades.

In those categories, there was a wide spread of award winners from multiple West Cork clubs including Bandon, Castlehaven, Clonakilty, Dohenys, Kilmacabea, St Colum’s, Kinsale, O’Donovan Rossa, Tadhg Mac Carthaigh, Rosscarbery, and Valley Rovers.

Three minor player-of-the-match winners were also honoured with Ellen Connolly (Castlehaven), Caoimhe O’Driscoll (Kinsale), and Anna Downing (Beara) grateful winners.

James O'Donovan, Drinagh Co-Op with special guest Libby Coppinger, St Colum's and Cork presents the Drinagh Co-Op U12C1 Award 2023 to Nell Kinsella, Kilmacabea.

James O'Donovan, Drinagh Co-Op with special guest Libby Coppinger, St Colum's and Cork presents the Drinagh Co-Op U12B Award 2023 to Grace Holland, St Colums.

Marguerite Crowley, Drinagh Co-Op with special guest Libby Coppinger, St Colum's and Cork presents the Drinagh Co-Op U16C Award 2023 to Tara Hourihane, Rosscarbery.

This year’s four West Cork adult finals delivered plenty of drama and excitement.

Castlehaven’s Shelley Daly was the Division 1 final’s standout player in her team’s victory over Rosscarbery. Dohenys’ Rachel McCarthy won for her role in the Division 2 decider, Bandon’s Emma Tarrant in Division 3, and Rosscarbery’s Kellianne French in the Division 4 final.

David Shields, Drinagh Co-Op with special guest Libby Coppinger, St Colum's and Cork presents the Drinagh Co-Op U14B Award 2023 to Alison Deane, Tadhg Mc Carthaigh.

Raymond Collins, Drinagh Co-Op with special guest Libby Coppinger, St Colum's and Cork presents the Drinagh Co-Op U13A Award 2023 to Matilda O'Donovan, Clonakilty.

The inaugural Volunteer of the Year award went to the worthiest of recipients. Beara LGFA’s Mary Power was honoured for her many years of service to the rural club.

The evening’s most poignant moment saw the inaugural West Cork LGFA Hall of Fame award go to Paudie Palmer (RIP). The famous and much loved broadcaster’s daughter Emily accepted the award on behalf of her late father.

2023 West Cork LGFA Player of the Match award winners
U12A Rhea Burns (Bandon), U12B Grace Holland (St Colum’s), U12C1 Nell Kinsella (Kilmacabea) and U12C2 Rachel O’Leary (Dohenys)
U13A Matilda O’Donovan (Clonakilty) and Claire Healy (St Colum’s)
U14A Hannah Deasy (Kinsale), U14B Alison Deane (Tadhg Mac Carthaigh), U14C1 Sophie O’Donovan (Rosscarbery) and U14C2 Emma Fenton (Valley Rovers)
U15A Clodagh Barry (Bandon) and U15B Dilly Barry Twohig (Valley Rovers)
U16A Éabha O’Donovan (O’Donovan Rossa), U16B Katelyn O’Driscoll (Castlehaven) and
U16C Tara Hourihane (Rosscarbery) Minor A Ellen Connolly (Castlehaven), Minor B Caoimhe O’Driscoll (Kinsale) and Minor C Anna Downing (Beara)
Division 1 Shelley Daly (Castlehaven), Division 2 Rachel McCarthy (Dohenys), Division 3 Emma Tarrant (Bandon) and Division 4 Kellianne French (Rosscarbery)