‘IT’S all over now. It’s back to the playing fields,’ said Kilbrittain GAA chairman Dermot Hayes as they signed off their greatest ever season in style.
The Black and Amber celebrated their recent club All-Ireland junior hurling success at the victory dinner dance in The Rochestown Park Hotel last Friday night.
A crowd of over 430 people gathered to also celebrate the Carbery junior B hurling championship victory of 2024, which was postponed due to the sad passing of Oisin Gillain from SADS (Sudden Adult Death Syndrome). He was part of that team, scoring 0-4 in the final against Ballinascarthy.
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Their successful hurling team that won county, Munster and All-Ireland titles in the 2025/26 season received their All-Ireland medals with Mark Hickey winning the club’s Hurler of the Year and Ronan Crowley collecting the football accolade.
Front from left, Marion Twohig (secretary), Seán Kelly (MEP), Pat Horgan (Cork County Board Chairperson) and Emma Desmond (Communications Officer). Standing from left: Con Healy (president), Denis Ryan (committee member), Dermot Hayes (chairperson), David Whyte (Carbery GAA Chairperson) and Oliver O'Brien (treasurer). (Photo: Martin Walsh)
‘To see all the players receive their medals and their families seeing their sons getting their All-Ireland medals was brilliant,’ Hayes added.
‘It was a dream come true for the players really. In a couple of years time, when they look back, they’ll be saying, “did we really achieve that?” They may not realise it this year but, in time, they will be reflecting. Looking back at the video and watching their All-Ireland final again. They would say, “wasn’t that a marvelous occasion.” To be involved this year was great.’
Mark Eaton (fitness and conditioning coach) joins in the fun with, from left, Karen Crowley, Rachel Butler, Aoife Butler, Kate O'Neill, Elaine Butler, Sarah O'Connor and Ciara O'Neill. (Photo: Martin Walsh)
The junior B hurlers from 2024 and the all-conquering team of 2025 were presented with their medals by club President Con Healy. Some players took home all six available medals.
Healy also made a presentation to the mentors of the 2024 junior B hurlers, Damien Desmond, John Burke, Tim McCarthy and to the management team from 2025, Joe Ryan, Paudie Maher, Terry O’Regan, Aidan O’Connell, Damien Desmond, Mark Eaton, Ian Kelleher, Stephen Feeney, Cian O’Leary, Paudie Brennan and Mikolaj Kalitka.
Celebrating were Colm Sheehan, Aoife Murphy, Clodagh Kelly and Philip Wall. (Photo: Martin Walsh)
The minor hurlers also celebrated their Rebel Og West Division 2 success, and were presented their medals by Joe Ryan.
Kieran Murphy, from The Second Captain’s Podcast, was the MC for the night. Guests included Pat Horgan, chairman of Cork GAA, David Whyte, chairman of Carbery GAA and special guest Sean Kelly MEP.
James and Ruth Hurley enjoying the night. (Photo: Martin Walsh)
It was under Kelly’s presidency of the GAA between 2003 and 2006 that the idea of an All-Ireland championship for junior and intermediate clubs was first considered.
The players and management made a special presentation in appreciation of the officers, secretary Marion Twohig, treasurer Oliver O’Brien, chairman Dermot Hayes and PRO Emma Desmond. Cork GAA chairman Horgan also paid tribute to the club’s own Susan O’Brien for her work with the county board.
