Five Cork recipients for 2024 Munster GAA Awards

Fri, 20 Dec, 2024 - 13:47

Jack McKay

The Munster GAA Awards took place last Saturday, December 14 at Fota Island Resort with several Cork recipients at the event – most notably Sarsfields, who were acknowledged as Club of the Year for 2024 shortly before taking down Slaughtneil in the All-Ireland semi-final.

The other Cork winners on the night were Laura Hayes, who received the Camogie Player of the Year accolade, while former Cork footballer Larry Tompkins was officialy inducted to the Munster Hall of Fame.

While Sarsfields’ journey continues to go on even after receiving the award, the All-Ireland finalists are fitting winners, no doubt.

After their struggles off the pitch in the past two seasons, with the loss of Teddy McCarthy and Storm Babet the biggest hits from 2023 the Riverstown outfit returned this year with a point to prove as reigning champions.

2024 Munster GAA Award Winners Back Row (Left to Right): Pat Moore (Waterford, Distinguished Servce Award), Jack Tompkins (representing Larry Tompkins, Hall of Fame Football), Euan Murray (Tipperary, Minor Hurler of the Year), Darragh McCarthy (Tipperary, Under 20 Hurler of the Year), Killian Dennehy (Kerry, Minor Footballer of the Year), Michael Hedigan (Cork, Handballer of the Year), Brian Lohan (Clare, Manager of the Year), Anthony Daly (Clare, Hall of Fame Hurling), Cormac Dillon (Kerry, Under 20 Footballer of the Year), Tom O'Sullivan (Kerry, Senior Footballer of the Year), Daniel Relihan (Cork, Handballer of the Year), Allan McNamara (Cork, Sarsfields - Club of the Year), Tim O'Driscoll (Cork, Sarsfields - Club of the Year), Eamonn Kelleher (Cork, Sarsfields - Club of the Year) Front Row (Left to Right): John Brennan (Munster GAA Operations Manager), Kate Tompkins (representing Larry Tompkins, Hall of Fame Football), Dermot “Weeshie” Lynch (Munster GAA PRO), Kieran Leddy (Munster GAA CEO), Ger Ryan (Munster GAA Chairman), Tim Murphy (Munster GAA Vice-Chairman), Bob Ryan (Munster GAA Treasurer), Ciara Murphy (Kerry, Ladies Footballer of the Year), Denis Hurley (Cork, Sarsfields - Club of the Year).

Despite being forced to find temporary accommodation for the year – that didn’t stop Sars from fighting their way back into another county final.

While that respective decider went against the east Cork side – they followed that up with victory over Feakle, and then their outstanding 3-20 to 2-19 defeat of four-in-a-row chasing Ballygunner to take the Munster crown for the first time ever.

Their All-Ireland semi-final win over Slaughtneil last Sunday makes that even sweeter, and they’ll contest the All-Ireland decider against Na Fianna in January.

Ciaran O'Regan (Cork) accepts his medal for refereeing the Munster Club Senior Hurling Final in 2023 and the Munster Minor Hurling Final in 2024 from Munster GAA Chairman Ger Ryan.

Individual awards were also there for the taking – with St Catherine’s Laura Hayes receiving Munster Camogie Player of the Year for her exceptional season with the Rebel county.

Not only was the All-Star recipient victorious in both the Munster and All-Ireland championships, but she also took home the with PwC GPA Camogie Senior Player of the Year award for her efforts throughout 2024.

After winning player of the match award in the Munster final against Waterford, Hayes followed up with another stellar showing in the All-Ireland final win over Galway to ensure a second consecutive title for Cork, and a third overall for the Rebels’ vice-captain.

Hall of Fame inductee Larry Tompkins was acknowledged, with the Cork footballing legend a deserved winner.

Daniel Relihan (left) and Michael Hedigan (right) accept the Handballer of the Year Award from Munster GAA Treasurer Bob Ryan.

The three-time All-Star recipient and Kildare native won six Munster Senior Football Championship titles and two All-Ireland Senior Football Championship titles with the Rebels, the latter of which he was captain for – as Cork were crowned All-Ireland champions in both codes.

Tompkins also won three Munster Senior Club Football Championship titles with Castlehaven, as well as two Cork Senior Football Championship titles.

During his tenure as manager of Cork, Tompkins guided the team to a Division 1 Football League title and a couple of Munster Championship titles.

Cork’s Michael Hedigan and Daniel Relihan were both awarded the Handball Person of the Year title.

Other recipients included Limerick’s Nickie Quaid, with the goalkeeper winning Senior Hurler of the Year, while Tom O’Sullivan of Kerry was awarded with the football equivalent.

Clare senior hurling boss Brian Lohan was awarded with Manager of the Year after their All-Ireland SHC win.