Laura Hayes, Eoin Downey and Frank Cogan picked for top GAA awards

Another occasion to remember for St Catherine's and Cork camogie star Laura Hayes, as she was presented with the 96FM/C103 GAA Sportsstar of the Year award at the annual function hosted by joint sponsors Rochestown Park Hotel.

Last season, Hayes collected All-Ireland and Munster medals, an All-Star award and was Camogie Player of the Year, by the time she took to the stage as a truly worthy recipient of the overall accolade at what was year 21 of this highly respected awards scheme.

"It's just fantastic to be here amongst all the top GAA stars in Cork, but to receive the overall award is extra special," commented the Conna native as she clutched her latest individual accolade.

"To be fair as a Cork team in the past year we may have set one another individual goals, but it was definitely the collective that got us over the line. We have a great bond as a group, we may go through tough times off the field, but on the field we rally together. This team has experienced a bit of a rebuild after a big turnover around 2019. Many younger players joined the panel and we have gone though a lot of defeats which are now turning to wins.

"I'm very proud to be representing St Catherine's and love going back to play club championship and remember when I first started playing."

Topping it off, the crowning glory of being picked as the best player in the land.

"It's just a lovely night to be back together with your team-mates after winning the All Ireland, everyone was really in great form. I wasn't expecting to be selected as the overall award winner. It's an absolute honour to be voted by your fellow players as the winner and it's something I will always treasure"

The recent awards function was one of the last formal events of the close season and thoughts are turning to what lies ahead for Laura and her colleagues on the playing fields.

"It's great to be back, we all have had our break, I managed to do a bit of travelling too but we are all really looking forward to getting going again. Everyone knows that three in a row would be something really special and we are going to do our best go after that."

HONOUR

Another All-Star winner had also special reason to celebrate on the night as Cork hurling full-back Eoin Downey received the Kieran O'Driscoll Youth Award.

I'm honestly absolutely delighted to be holding this award - it's a great honour for myself, my family and my club.

"Having my brother Robert ahead of me made my transition a lot easier in making progress up the hurling ranks. It was a dream to line out in Croke Park. Hopefully, we can go again and get over the line." 

There was a great air of nostalgia around the packed function room as Cork football legend Frank Cogan was announced as the winner of the Donal Lehane Distinguished Career Award. As an integral part of Cork's defence that ended a football famine in 1973, Frank always has a special place in the hearts of Cork football fans of that generation.

The decorated Nemo Rangers man was in jovial mood as scrolled back through a stellar career with club and county.

"My interest in GAA was passed down through family tree as my grandfather had won six All-Ireland medals with Kilkenny. 

My father was on the first Cork minor hurling team to win an All Ireland... I don't know where the football came from being honest."

While the 1973 never-to-be-forgotten All-Ireland win over Galway remains the standout achievement, he has also special memories of his first year togging out in Croke Park.

"It was my first big occasion 1961, when I played with Cork minors against Mayo as we won the All-Ireland. The game was before the Down-Offaly senior final, which was watched by over 91,000 people, the biggest ever at the venue, so it was a particularly interesting experience for a young fellow."