Cill na Martra's Seán Ó Foirréidh is crowned Muskerry's top GAA star for 2023

THE first Muskerry GAA Gala awards night since Covid was held at the Oriel House Hotel in Ballincollig recently before a strong crowd of just over 300 people.

It was a very successful night, with the Oriel House Hotel pulling out all the stops and provided a lovely function room and great service. There were three teams honoured on the night, the Muskerry Junior football team of the year, the Muskerry Junior hurling team of the year and a Muskerry Intermediate team of the year.

The very last item on the agenda was the 2023 EPH Controls Muskerry GAA Sports Star of the Year, and after a series of lengthy meetings by a panel of judges, it was awarded to Cill na Martra defender Seán Ó Foirréidh. He was the first winner since Daniel Goulding of Éire Óg claimed the honour back in January of 2020. The Cill na Martra man is also the first winner of the Paudie Palmer Memorial trophy. The Muskerry Board renamed the top award after the late great Paudie Palmer at the end of last year which was a nice touch for a man who did so much for the Muskerry Division and was MC for the Gala night for many years.

Ó Foirréidh came out on top for his starling performances last season for the Gaeltacht club. He was a powerhouse in defence, playing a huge part in the team creating history with Cill na Martra winning the PIFC title and Munster crown and making it to Croke Park, but were defeated in the All-Ireland final by Armagh’s Cullyhanna.

The Muskerry Junior football team of the year and Muskerry Junior hurling team of the year were naturally dominated by the respective winners Canovee and Ballinora, while it was no surprise that Cill na Martra had the bulk of the Intermediate team of the year. 

Muskerry GAA chairperson John Feeney and Cork County Board delegate Donal McSweeney were speakers on the night. Marc Sheehan, who recently stepped down as chairperson of the Cork County Board following the conclusion of his term, was also present on the night. C103FM and 96FM’S Finbarr McCarthy was the Master of Ceremonies for the night and he kept the show flowing in a very professional and witty manner.

Roll on the new season.

Muskerry GAA Sports Star of the Year, sponsored by EPH Controls and presented by Marie Casey:

Winner - Seán Ó Foirréidh (Cill na Martra).

Other nominees: Jack Murphy (Éire Óg), Tadhg O’Connell (Ballincollig), Shane Kingston (Ballinora), Clíona Healy (Aghabulloge), Meabh Murphy (Ballinora), Matthew Bradley (Aghabullogue), John Corkery (Aghabullogue), Jack Kelleher (Canovee).

Muskerry Junior Football Team of the Year, sponsored by Oriel House Hotel:

Dominic Kelleher (Inniscarra);

Brian Hinchion (Kilmurry), William Ronan (Kilmurry), Aodh Twomey (Aghinagh);

Evan Dodd (Canovee), Adam McCarthy (Éire Óg), Eoghan Lehane (Canovee);

Conor Dodd (Canovee), Cathal Foley (Kilmichael);

Connor O’Neill (Canovee), Liam O’Connor (Inniscarra), Daire McMahon (Canovee);

Jack Kelleher (Canovee), Liam Wall (Kilmurry), Dylan O’Sullivan (Inniscarra).

Muskerry Junior Hurling Team of the Year, sponsored by Linehan Civil Engineering;

James Walsh (Grenagh);

Dean O’Sullivan (Dripsey), James Lordan (Ballinora), Paddy Fitton (Ballinora);

John Carey (Dripsey), Shane Kingston (Ballinora), Ted Twomey (Grenagh);

James Byrne (Ballinora), Eoghan Maher (Dripsey);

Darragh Holmes (Ballinora), Diarmuid O’Riordan (Dripsey), Liam Lyons (Ballinora);

Dan Twomey (Grenagh), Darragh Corkery (Ballinora), Michael O’Riordan (Dripsey).

Muskerry Intermediate Football Team of the Year, sponsored by EuroPumps Ireland;

Joe Creedon (Iveleary);

Colm Mac Lochlainn (Cill na Martra), Tadhg Ó Corcora (Cill na Martra), Neil Lordan (Ballinora);

Paul Ring (Aghabullogue), Seán Ó Fóirréidh (Cill na Martra), Kevin Manning (Iveleary);

Ryan Dennehy (Aghabullogue), Gearóid Ó Goillidhe (Cill na Martra);

Daniel Ó Duinnín (Cill na Martra), Matthew Bradley (Aghabullogue), Damien Ó hUrdail (Cill na Martra);

John Corkery (Aghabullogue), Micheál Ó Deasuna (Cill na Martra), Ed Ó Mír (Naomh Abán).