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The 2008 Waterford GAA Awards night took place on Friday last at Lawlor’s Hotel in Dungarvan.

On the night all boards were well represented, and the various winners also had plenty of supporters with them.

Abbeyside’s Joe Cleary, Co. Board PRO, on behalf of the Waterford GAA Publications and Communications Committee, who organise the night each year, welcomed all present, and was the first of a number of speakers on the night to pay a glowing tribute to former County Board Secretary Seamus Grant who died earlier in the week. Reference was made that 12 months previously, after he had stood down, the committee honoured the long-serving secretary with a special presentation.

Other speakers included County Board Chairman, Pat Flynn, Mayor of County Waterford, Dr Tom Higgins and Chairman of the Munster Council Jimmy O’Gorman, who all shared some memories and anecdotes.

WLRfm head of sport Kevin Casey introduced the various winners while head of news, Liz Ready interviewed the various recipients. Presentations were made by members of the County Adult Board assisted by Emer Barry and Siobhan Keane of the Publications and Communications Committee.

For many the highlight was the presentation of the Jack Furlong award, for Gaels who have given a lifetime of service to the GAA in different capacities, to Erins Own’s Billy Kelly.

Senior Hurler of the Year – John Mullane

 

 

 

 

John had an outstanding year for both club and county in 2008. His first championship outing of the year was against Clare where he scored a magnificent eight points from play in what was to prove Justin McCarthy’s final match as manager. He continued as he left off, and was the championship’s highest scorer from open play. He controversially missed out on an All Star award but was richly compensated when his beloved club De La Salle won their very first Waterford County SHC title. John was an inspirational captain, and scored the game-turning goal as the Deise champions went on to lift the Munster Crown with a nail-biting final victory over Adare.

Senior Footballer of the Year – Gary Hurney

 

 

 

 

Gary won this award in 2007 also and basically carried on with outstanding displays of leadership and marksmanship for Waterford and for Ballinacourty. The Waterford team was desperately unlucky to miss out on promotion to Division 3, when a last minute goal by Tipperary deprived them of a place in the divisional final. The championship outing against Clare proved disappointing but Gary again showed his accuracy, particularly from free kicks. Back with his club, Ballinacourty, he was an integral member of their double-seeking teams and he gained the close attention of up to three markers in many games. He even found time to play hurling with club and county.

Young Hurler of the Year -Eoin Whelan

 

 

 

 

Eoin played a major role for Mount sion and for Waterford Minor teams in 2008. The highly-rated county team had a disappointing year, going out to Cork, though Eoin gave it his all, sadly to no avail. He returned to his club and was one of their main stars in the County Minor-winning team that scored a thrilling win over Ballygunner in the final to add to their County Minor Football crown. He is also a regular on the club senior team and we will see more of this promising youngster in the years ahead.

Young Footballer of the Year – Tadhg Ó hUallachain

 

 

 

 

Tadhg lives in Ring and is of Dungarvan and Wicklow stock. He was a vital member of the Minor and Under-21 Gaeltacht teams which won the Western Divisional titles in 2008. The U21s went on and annexed the county title. Due to the Leaving Cert, Tadhg missed out on An Rinn’s historic win in Comórtas Peile na Gaeltachta but was a valued member of the senior team which reached the county quarter-finals.

Club of the Year -De La Salle

 

 

 

 

You can only win your first title once but De La Salle liked the taste of it and duly went on to put the Munster title side by side with the County Senior Hurling Cup. There may yet be another title awaiting John Mullane & co on St Patrick’s Day – but only if they first overcome the challenge of Cushendall on Sunday. De La Salle also won the County Under 21 title in early December. Those victories alone would guarantee this award but they have moved out to their sublime new complex in Gracedieu. With these facilities, allied to the hard work of their club members, they are laying the foundations for many future successes.

Special Merit Award -Modeligo GAA Club

 

 

 

 

Modeligo would be better known as a football stronghold but they have made great strides with the small ball in the past few years. They had a marvellous victory in the Western Championship in 2008 and went on to win the County title on a wet and windy day in Fraher Field towards the end of last year. Once again, we see the true strength of the GAA in small areas in Modeligo’s success.

John Furlong Award – Billy Kelly

 

 

 

 

Billy has given a lifetime and more to his beloved Erins Own Club in Waterford City. As a player, he was a sturdy corner-back on the 1962 team which deprived Mount Sion of a record 10 county championships in-a-row. He has acted as a coach and selector with numerous club teams, from the youngest to the senior ranks. He was a driving force behind the club development and carried our various officerships with aplomb, rarely if ever missing a training session. It’s people like Billy Kelly who keep their clubs, and in turn the GAA, going.