Carrigaline proud winners of Paudie Palmer Trophy: He gave so much to South East Division
Sean O'Riordan and his son Cillian, McCarthy Insurance Group, present the Man of the Match award to Carrigaline's Niall Coakley. Picture: Eddie O'Hare
The inaugural Paudie Palmer Memorial Trophy was won by Carrigaline after they edged out Uibh Laoire in a cracking McCarthy Insurance Division 2 League final at Ovens on Friday night.
The victors held an eight-point lead after 50 minutes, but Uibh Laoire came with a wet sail, converting a goal chance and landing a couple of outrageous two-pointers to draw level.
In the end, man of the match Niall Coakley secured the victory with a 20m free which was the final kick of the game.
Securing this special trophy meant a lot to the Carrigaline club which winning manager Michael Meaney acknowledged.
“When we heard that the Palmer family had presented this trophy to the Cork County Board for this final there was certainly added interest from everyone in the club," Meaney said.
”We’re delighted to win a league final. We played Uibh Laoire earlier in the league and they are a tough and gritty side.
"We were eight points up and yet they got back to be level with us. There are plenty of lessons in this for us. Closing out games is so important so we will look at that.”
Carrigaline dominated the opening stages and scored 1-1 inside the opening minutes. It really set the tone which is something that the victors have been working on.
“A good start is vital at this level really. The top teams will put you away very quickly and we learned a big lesson in the championship against St Finbarr’s last summer.
"Niall Coakley came back down from St Jude’s in Dublin, and he really has been an inspirational player both on and off the field.
"Brian O’Driscoll has been fantastic too. He had a tough defeat with Cork last weekend but was back training with us on Tuesday night.“
With the Championship very much on the horizon for all the clubs, a league final was a perfect preparation as training intensifies.
“Our opening game is against St Finbarr’s, and we also have Mallow and Douglas. The Barrs are one of the favourites for the county and having them in the opening game will certainly focus minds.
"It’s important to get things right for three weeks.”
County Board PRO Ger O’Sullivan made the trophy presentation and afterwards spoke eloquently about the contribution Paudie Palmer had made to Gaelic Games across many platforms.
“It’s great to be here on behalf of the County Board and present this magnificent trophy to our winners Carrigaline," O’Sullivan said.
"It was a thrilling final and Uibh Laoire showed tremendous character to claw back level in the closing minutes. Paudie Palmer was such a legendary character really and he gave huge service to the association across many decades.”
"He was actively involved at schools’ level with St Brogans and with his adopted club Valley Rovers.
"For many people his commentaries with C103 brought our games into the homes of everyone and he is still greatly missed by everyone.
”We had a lovely function last week when his wife and daughter presented this beautiful trophy and Valley Rovers were also represented.
"Paudie loved meeting people and he got to know everyone before every game, and this came across during his very colourful commentaries.”
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