Archive News

Big turnout for Juvenile Awards Night

20 November 2009

A large crowd turned out at Ballyvarley Hall for the club's annual juvenile awards presentation night. Guests of honour were the Down senior footballer Ambrose Rodgers and the Down hurling development officer Michael McCullough. Club chairman Seamus McGrath welcomed the Club President Fr Colum Wright, and the assembled parents and told them the night was about recognizing the achievements of their children in the three field sports promoted by the GAA. He also thanked the volunteer coaches who look after the club’s teams: “On a regular basis they organize the coaching and matches and take responsibility for introducing your children to the greatest sporting and cultural organisation on the island, a healthy life-style and the opportunity to represent their community, with their peers and school friends,“ he said. Seamus also urged other parents, even those with no experience of playing the games, to consider getting involved with the various squads next year. Around 180 players and parents were in attendance for the presentation of awards in both football and hurling from U-12 to U-16 level. League medals were awarded to the U-12 hurlers and the U-16 footballers who both were runners-up in their respective campaigns, while 51 players were presented with hurling skills medals having successfully completed the summer hurling skills programme. Player of the year awards went to – Sinead O’Meara (u14 camogie), Conal McNally (u12 hurling), Peadar McGrath (u14 hurling), Tony Hegarty (u16 hurling), Michael Jordan (u12 football), Brandon Squires (u14 football) and Shane Donnelly (u16 football). The most improved player of the year awards went to Mary Kate McGrath (u14 camogie), Danielle Stewart (u12 hurling), Robert Vaskis (u14 hurling), Jonathan Lennon (u16 hurling), Michael McKey (u12 football), Leo Doyle (u14 football) and Paul Colgan (u16 football).