Mayoral accolade for Cork sports stars and community heroes

CORK sporting stars, singers and musicians as well as community heroes were among those to be accorded the county’s highest honour at a civic reception held on Monday on the top floor of County Hall and hosted by Mayor Frank O’Flynn.

The mayor described those honoured at the reception as ‘pillars that have shaped our communities’ and ‘vibrant new individuals weaving our future.

“Each recipient, each endeavour fuels the inspiration that propels our county forward,” said Mr O’Flynn.

“Congratulations to all, may your accomplishments continue to inspire us.”

Among those to be honoured were the Cork camogie team who are the 2023 All-Ireland champions and the O’Donovan Rossa ladies team, who won the Munster championship last year, and the club’s junior ladies, winners of the Cork Junior Championship as well as the East Cork GAA Board, which celebrated its centenary this year. Cork footballers who have been recruited by professional clubs, Carrigaline’s Mark O’Mahony who has signed by Brighton and Hove Albion and Jake O’Brien from Youghal who has been recruited by French League 1 club Lyon, were also recognised as was Stephen O’Leary from Fermoy who captained the Irish team to win the gold medal at the Special Olympics held in Berlin last Summer.

Motorsport ace Conor Shanahan was honoured following his win in the 2023 Drift Masters European Championship.

Beyond the sporting arena, the Doneraile, Buttevant and Mallow First Responsders Group were honoured for providing lifesaving first aid to members of the community on a 24/7 basis over the past 10 years, while the Cork guilds of the Irish Countrywomen’s Association was recognised for its role in providing lifelong learning.

A high note of the reception was hit with the recognition for Fermoy Musical Society, Ireland’s third oldest musical society, which celebrated its hundredth anniversary this year, a century during which it has built a reputation for presenting productions of high quality. Fermoy Concert Band, also celebrating its centenary was also honoured at the reception.