Ballyea have been named as the Munster GAA Club of the Year for 2016.
It has been an unforgettable year for Ballyea who won their first Clare Senior Hurling Championship title and went on to record an inspirational win over Thurles Sarsfields before defeating Glen Rovers to collect their first provincial crown. This win ended a sixteen year wait for a Clare club to win the Munster title.
David Conroy of St Josephs Doora/Barefield was chosen as the Munster Intermediate Hurler of the Year. He was one of the standout players for Donal Moloney’s Clare team that won the County’s first Intermediate title since 2012. David also starred as Doora/Barefield sealed their return to the Senior ranks in Clare and was one of their best players as they lost out to Monaleen in the provincial semi-final.
Micheál Mac Conmara was honoured for his contribution to the GAA as he received the Special Service Award from Munster GAA. The O’Callaghans Mills man was recognised for his years of service in promoting Scór, a GAA competition that promotes cultural activities including the Irish language.
The awards took place at the Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork and were hosted by Marty Morrissey. The full list of Munster GAA Award winners for 2016 are as follows:
Charlie McCarthy (Cork) – Hurling Hall of Fame
John Quane (Limerick) – Football Hall of Fame
Micheál Mac Conmara (An Clár) – Special Service Award – contribution to Scór
Michael Hurley (Cork) – Under 21 Football
Austin Gleeson (Waterford) – Under 21 Hurling
David Conroy (Clare) – Intermediate Hurling
Jamie Lee (Limerick) – Junior Football
Jake Morris (Tipperary) – Minor Hurling
David Clifford (Kerry) – Minor Football
Niamh Mulcahy (Limerick) – Camogie
Rena Buckley (Cork) – Ladies Football
Aishling O’Keeffe (Cork) – Handball
Ballyea (Clare) – Club
John McGrath (Tipperary) – Senior Hurling
Paul Geaney (Kerry) – Senior Football
Michael Ryan (Tipperary) – Manager
Back row (left to right) – David Conroy (Intermediate Hurler of the Year), Jake Morris (Minor Hurler of the Year), Michael Ryan (Manager of the Year), John Quane (Football Hall of Fame), David Clifford (Minor Footballer of the Year), Jamie Lee (Junior Footballer of the Year) and Michael Hurley (Under 21 Footballer of the Year)
Front row (left to right) – Micheál Mac Conmara (Special Service Award), Robbie Hogan (Manager, Ballyea Senior Hurlers), Pat Moylan (Chairman, Ballyea GAA, Club of the Year), Niamh Mulcahy (Camogie Player of the Year), Jerry O’Sullivan (Munster GAA Chairman), Aishling O’Keeffe (Handballer of the Year), Liam Lenihan (Munster GAA Vice-Chairman), Charlie McCarthy (Hall of Fame Hurling)
Missing from photo – John McGrath (Senior Hurler of the Year), Austin Gleeson (Under 21 Hurler of the Year), Rena Buckley (Ladies Footballer of the Year) and Paul Geaney (Senior Footballer of the Year)