Black and Bromell lead Munster nominees

Shane O’Donoghue has become the first player to be simultaneously nominated for the Senior and U-18 male player of the year following the release of the shortlists for the annual ESB Electric Ireland Irish Hockey Awards 2011. He is in good company in both selections, former internationals Mark Black, recognised for leading Cork Harlequins to a first  Munster title since 2006, and Mark Raphael along with Monkstown’s Fran Lee. On the women’s side, Kate Dillon and Aisling Campion join another former international, Elaine Bromell, included following Catholic Institute’s impressive IHL debut and Munster success, ending Cork Harlequins 15-year reign. Emma Stewart, so pivotal in Armagh’s National Indoor Trophy triumph, completes the senior list.

Cookstown’s Ian Sloan, fresh from his Irish Senior Cup final heroics, is in the U18 list along with Annadale’s Matthew Allister and Monkstown’s David Cole. New international Gillian Pinder is on the U18 selection, up against underage Irish players Katie Mullan, Roisin Upton – whose school side, Crescent Comprehensive  are also up for School of the Year  – and Leah Ewart. UCC defender Malcolm Coombes is in the running for Umpire of the Year, with Catholic Institute unsurprisingly up for Club of the Year. In a further coup for the Rosbrien club, their first team coach Ger O’Carroll is among the Volunteer of the Year nominees. Fermoy’s Mona Sexton is a deserving name among the Youth Coach of the Year shortlist. The event takes place on May 21 in the Burlington Hotel, Dublin. If you would like to book a table, contact Kiara at marketing@hockey.ie. Shortlists in full Senior Club Player Male: Mark Black (Cork Harlequins), Fran Lee (Monkstown), Shane O’Donoghue (Glenanne), Mark Raphael (Lisnagarvey) Senior Club Player Female: Elaine Bromell (Catholic Institute), Aisling Campion (Loreto), Kate Dillon (Railway Union), Emma Stewart (Armagh) U-18 Player Male: Mathew Allister (Annadale), David Cole (Monkstown), Shane O’Donoghue (Glenanne), Ian Sloan (Cookstown) U-18 Player Female: Leah Ewart (Armagh), Katie Mullan (Ballymoney), Gillian Pinder (Hermes), Roisín Upton (Catholic Institute) Coach of the Year: Mary Logue (Hermes), Mick McKinnon (Railway Union), Michelle Rainey (Pegasus), Graham Shaw (Glenanne/Loreto) Club of the Year: Catholic Institute, Lisnagarvey, Monkstown, Railway Ladies Umpire of the Year: Malcolm Coombes, Fiona Davitt, Davy Foster, Carol Metchette Developing Club of the Year: Diocesan, Newbridge, North Kildare, Portrane Volunteer of the Year: Alice Gerrard (Ulster Elks), Helen Johnston (Railway Union Ladies), Cliona Kennedy (Greenfields), Geraldine O’Carroll (Catholic Institute) U-18 Coach of the Year: Alison McNeill, Catherine Moore (Greenfields), Mona Sexton (Fermoy), Miles Warren (Alexandra College/Irish U-16 Boys) Youth Club of the Year: Greenfields, Lisnagarvey, Monkstown, Pembroke Wanderers Hockey School of the Year: Banbridge Academy, Crescent College, Lurgan College, Alexandra College