TED Hegarty’s place in the annals of road bowling is assured, as the Lyre man was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Ból Chumann awards.

On a night that celebrated the heroes of the past year, Hegarty took centre stage, and deservedly so. His ground-breaking work in establishing an academy of young bowlers, which he has run every year since it was founded in 2009, is one of the sport’s real success stories.

It first started on the Letter Road, north of Clonakilty, where it was played for three years before it then moved to its current home, on the Phale Road, Ballineen.

Over 2000 boys and girls have been part of that nursery that has honed the skills of the several star names, but as Hegarty’s citation at the awards night at the Parkway Hotel in Dunmanway explained, ‘whether or not they achieve greatness in sport, every one of them will have been given the gift of a great sport that they can continue to play for the rest of their lives.’

Those in attendance at the biggest night of celebration in the road bowling calendar were also reminded that Hegarty isn’t given any special commission or doesn't receive any government grants, but he just has a desire to do something constructive.

When he informally spread the word in 2009 that he was going to run an event for children, he got a promising response that quickly took hold on the strength of a job being well done to fuel the enthusiasm of youth. Seventeen years on, it’s still going strong. His Hall of Fame award is deserved recognition of his contribution to the sport he loves.

Also on the night, as all 2025 county winners and runners-up were honoured, a number of special awards were also presented. Hannah Cronin, from Togher Cross in Dunmanway, was named the Female Player of the Year. Schill bowler Shane Crowley, who won the All-Ireland U18 title, was crowned the Young Player of the Year. The Personality of the Year award went to PJ O’Mahony for his sterling work in organising the All-Irelands at Castletown for the past two years. Also, Arthur McDonagh was named Male Player of the Year.

Hall of Fame Award winner Ted Hegarty.

Catherine and Teddy Murphy from Newcestown enjoying bowling's big night.

Personality of the Year PJ O'Mahony with Deirdre Kelly and Joe Carroll.

Female Player of the Year Hannah Cronin.

Young Player of the Year Shane Crowley.