THIS year’s West Cork LGFA Awards proved a huge success, honouring many of the region’s top female footballers.

A superb evening at the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery saw the West Cork LGFA committee host a well-run event that included special presentations to Hall of Fame inductee John McCarthy and Volunteer of the Year, Trish Crowley (Dohenys).

Guest of honour was Cork’s All-Ireland and Munster LGFA minor championship-winning captain, Allie Tobin. The O’Donovan Rossa rising star addressed the large crowd and spoke of her admiration for the young players in attendance.

Lily Rose O'Donovan (Bantry Blues), winner of the U13B player of the match award, with David Shiels (Drinagh Co-Op, sponsors) and Cork minor star Allie Tobin. (Photo: Anne Minihane)

Each player received their player-of-the-match trophies from the past season’s adult, minor, U16, U15, U14 and U13 finals.

Cork LGFA Chairperson Marian Crowley was also among the invited guests and praised the hardworking local committee for their efforts and for delivering another terrific awards night.

Division 2 award winner Ava O'Donovan of Dohenys Ladies with John Hurley (Drinagh Co-Op) and Marian Crowley (Cork LGFA Chairperson). (Photo: Anne Minihane)

Representatives from Drinagh Co-Op, long-time sponsors of West Cork LGFA – including chief executive Seamus Daly – were on hand to help present all 26 awards.

Bantry Blues’ Anne O’Grady, the current West Cork LGFA Chairperson, opened proceedings by congratulating all the award winners and thanking their families for attending.

U14A player of the match award winner Annabelle Nolan (Valley Rovers) with Allie Tobin and Mary Hayes (Drinagh Co-Op). (Photo: Anne Minihane)

‘West Cork ladies football is thriving,’ O’Grady said.

‘In 2025, we had over 90 girls attending our U15 development programme. Over 150 girls participated in our U13 development programme, overseen by 19 coaches and FLOs.

‘West Cork clubs won 24 county titles this year across the various Cork LGFA age-grades.

‘This year, we sponsored jerseys for our Go Games referees to encourage more young people to get involved due to the ongoing shortage, and that initiative has been a great success.

‘Our awards night honoured players across all our age-grades with player-of-the-match awards, recognising not only skill and teamwork but also dedication, resilience and the spirit of our sport.

‘These young women represent the future of West Cork Ladies football and we are immensely proud of each and every one of them.

‘To have 14 out of our 20 West Cork LGFA clubs receive player-of-the-match awards is fantastic and underlines the depth of talent playing football in West Cork right now.’

Milana Collins (O'Donovan Rossa), U13A player of the match award winner, receiving her award from David Shiels (Drinagh Co-Op, sponsors) and guest of honour Allie Tobin. (Photo: Anne Minihane)

On such an important night, showcasing the region’s emerging talent, O’Grady also took time to acknowledge West Cork LGFA’s successful partnership with sponsors Drinagh Co-Op.

‘I have to express our sincere thanks to Drinagh Co-Op for their generous and continued sponsorship,’ she said.

‘We are now in year four of a six-year deal. The first three-year agreement ended in 2024, and we were thrilled to renew the sponsorship for a further three years.

‘Drinagh Co-Op’s support has allowed us to grow, improve and provide the best possible structures for our players. It is such a unique relationship – to have a sponsor backing an entire division.

‘West Cork is the envy of the other divisions and we are truly grateful for Drinagh Co-Op’s belief in our work.’

Eirinn Coppinger (Carbery Rangers) receiving the U13B Summer League player of the match award from Peadar O'Driscoll (DrInagh Co-Op) and Allie Tobin. (Photo: Anne Minihane)

Another highlight of the evening was the West Cork LGFA Committee’s presentation of a cheque for €2,500 to Beara’s Sandra O’Shea of the Stand4Féile campaign. The funds were raised from various West Cork LGFA collections during the past season.

2025 West Cork LGFA Awards winners: John McCarthy (Hall of Fame), Trish Crowley (Volunteer of the Year, Dohenys).

2025 West Cork LGFA Player of the Match winners.

Division 1: Éabha O’Donovan (O’Donovan Rossa); Division 2: Ava O’Donovan (Dohenys); Division 3: Lucy Hurley (Muintir Gabriels); Division 4: Lauren O’Callaghan (Castlehaven).

Minor A: Eimear Ní Chearnaigh (Kinsale); Minor B: Lucy Downing (Beara); Minor C: Hannah Twomey (Ibane Ladies).

U16A: Amy Salter (Castlehaven); U16B: Aoife Harte (Ibane Ladies); U16C1: Seren Lehane (St Colum’s); U16C2: Olivia Broderick (Valley Rovers).

U15A Summer League: Ellen Foley (Ibane Ladies); U15B Summer League: Jill Mac Sweeney (Kinsale); U15C Summer League: Abby O’Shea (Beara).

U14A: Annabelle Nolan (Valley Rovers); U14B: Emily O’Neill (Bantry Blues); U14C1: Ciara Jennings (Kilmacabea); U14C2: Marcela Gomez (Kinsale).

U13A: Milana Collins (O’Donovan Rossa); U13B: Lily Rose O’Donovan (Bantry Blues), U13C1: Elena Cahalane (Castlehaven); U13C2: Leni Anglin (Clonakilty).

U13A Summer League: Nicole O’Sullivan (O’Donovan Rossa); U13B Summer League: Eirinn Coppinger (Rosscarbery).