Dungarvan and Quins the big winners

Treble-winners Cork Harlequins and Dungarvan were the big winners at this year’s Munster Hockey Awards, held at Garryduff on Friday night. Quins, who claimed a men’s Munster league and cup double before recording a stunning against-the-odds Irish Senior Cup win, were rewarded with the team of the year gong as well as a coach of the year award for Phil Oakley. Oakley shared his title with Neil Welch, who guided UCC to an Irish Hockey Trophy victory, the first senior national title in the university club’s history.

College hitman Fionn O’Leary’s part in that success, as well as his selection for both the Munster U21 and Irish Universities sides, was acknowledged as he became a young winner of senior player of the year at just 20 years old, while former Ireland captain Eimear Cregan took the women’s equivalent. Her 40-plus goals propelled Catholic Institute to a league and cup double and an unbeaten domestic season. Dungarvan were deserving winner of club of the year, overcoming the Co Waterford side’s disadvantage with regards to numbers and facilities to win the e ladies Division 3 cup as well as a Division 6 league and cup double. For the first time, prizes were awarded at all the interprovincial age-grades, voted for by coaches and management and based largely on the players’ performances at their respective interpro tournaments. Karl Lynch (Pembroke) and Yvonne O’Byrne (Quins) claimed the U21 prizes, with both growing into influential leadership roles in the return of the age-grade tournament, held at Garryduff this year. Ashton students Gary Wilkinson (C of I) and Leanne Mullins (Quins) earned the U18 equivalents, both showing the benefit of a couple of seasons’ first-team experience in emerging as go-to players at interprovincial level too. At U16 level, Jack Ryan won the boys prize, the Midleton College goalkeeper enjoying a meteoric rise in only his second year of hockey, and a series of stunning saves at the interpros helped earn him an Irish trial. Clodagh Moloney claimed the girls award, little surprise in a year she broke into the Institute first team and the Irish U16 squad. Cork C of I’s Barry Crowley – a man involved on almost every team in his club in some way, shape or form –  won volunteer of the year, while Alan Good of Munster U18 Boys was named manager of the year.

Special merit awards went to Jane Fleming – physio to myriad Munster teams over the years –  Cork Harlequins’ tireless volunteer Moray Russell and former coach of the famous Ashton “speedwells” underage girls section, Ingrid Morrissey. Brian Attridge claimed the men’s umpire of the year prize while Liz Clifford won the female equivalent, this year renamed the June Platts Award. In addition, the various league and underage trophies were handed out to representatives from the winning sides. Munster Hockey Awards 2011/12 Team of the Year: Cork Harlequins Men’s 1sts; Club of the Year: Dungarvan LHC; Senior Players of the Year: Fionn O’Leary (UCC) & Eimear Cregan (Catholic Institute); U21 Players of the Year: Karl Lynch (Pembroke Wanderers) & Yvonne O’Byrne (Cork Harlequins); U18 Players of the Year: Gary Wilkinson (Ashton/Cork C of I) & Leanne Mullins (Ashton/Cork Harlequins); U16 Players of the Year: Jack Ryan (Midleton College) & Clodagh Moloney (Crescent Comprehensive/Catholic Institute); Coaches of the Year: Phil Oakley (Cork Harlequins Men’s 1sts) & Neil Welch (UCC Men’s 1sts); Umpires of the Year: Brian Attridge & Liz Clifford; Manager of the Year: Alan Good (Munster U18 Boys); Volunteer of the Year: Barry Crowley (Cork C of I); Special Merit Awards: Jane Fleming, Ingrid Morrissey, Moray Russell.