Two coaches who have helped rejuvenate ladies hockey in Limerick were among those honoured at the Munster Hockey Awards at Garryduff last night.
Catholic Institute’s Ger O’Carroll helped her side break Cork Harlequins’ 15-year monopolisation of the Munster Division One title, while John Meyler has achieved three successive promotions with his Limerick side, winning four domestic cups and the Irish Challenge along the way.
O’Carroll was named coach of the year with Meyler taking the development coach of the year award; both are on duty with Munster sides at this weekend’s interpros, with O’Carroll pounding the touchline for the senior women while Meyler takes the junior men.
Quins’ Mark Black and Institute’s Elaine Bromell bagged the men’s and women’s player of the year awards respectively, with Bromell’s club-mate Roisin Upton and Cork C of I’s Richard Lynch the U18 equivalents.
Black skippered Quins to a first men’s title since 2006, with Bromell doing likewise in a co-captaincy role alongside Kym Daly as Institute powered to a league and cup double.
Lynch has become a fixture for C of I firsts this term and was an influential figure for Munster U18, as well as guiding Ashton to a first Munster Senior Schoolboys Cup crown in a decade or so.
Upton has had a stellar year that includes a Youth Olympics, captaining Ireland U16 in Europe, a league and cup double, a Munster Senior Schoolgirls Cup title and a bronze at the Kate Russell.
Catriona Hassey and Malcolm Coombes claimed the umpire of the year awards, the former earning a glamour tie in the form of the Irish Senior Cup final, while Coombes impressed at his first underage interpros.
Catholic Institute, Ashton and Crescent were predictable winners of the club and school of the year awards, while Alan and Ruth Wolfe were deserving winners of the volunteers of the year prizes for their work in Cork C of I and beyond.
As is now tradition, a range of special merit awards were given out, including one posthumously to Andy Chambers, the C of I player/coach who tragically died on the pitch prior to a game last November, and to recently-retired Irish skipper Eimear Cregan for her contribution to the sport.
Others to be honoured included Neil Welch for guiding UCC to an Irish Trophy final, while David Egner (Cork Harlequins), Ian Buckley (Ashton), Marie Arnold (Fermoy) and Kieron Brislane (Limerick) were honoured for the exceptional range of voluntary work they undertake inside and outside their clubs. Limerick HC were also given a speical merit award in recognition of their success within all their teams.
A special presentation was also made to Finbarr Kelleher, who recently stepped down from the Munster Branch management committee, in recognition of his contribution to the sport.
Southern Fried Hockey would like to take this chance to add its thanks to Finbarr, who could never be more helpful, courteous and diligent when dealing with my queries, as well as slavishly helping to compile results and goalscorers over the past few seasons.
Munster Hockey Awards 2010/11
Manager of the Year: Will Bartley (Ireland U18/Munster U18); Coach of the Year: Ger O’Carroll (Catholic Institute/Munster); Development Coach of the Year: John Meyler (Limerick/Munster Juniors); Umpires of the Year: Catriona Hassey and Malcolm Coombes; Senior Players of the Year: Mark Black (Cork Harlequins) and Elaine Bromell (Catholic Institute); Junior (U18) Players of the Year: Roisin Upton (Catholic Institute) and Richard Lynch (Cork C of I); Volunteers of the Year: Alan and Ruth Wolfe; Girls School of the Year: Crescent Comprehensive; Boys School of the Year: Ashton; Special Merit Awards: Posthumously to Andy Chambers; David Egner (Cork Harlequins); Ian Buckley (Ashton); Kieron Brislane (Limerick); Neil Welch (UCC); Limerick HC; Eimear Cregan (Catholic Institute); Marie Arnold (Fermoy HC).
*Photos contained in Flickr slideshow are courtesy of Pat Sargent and are free to download
