2008 Press Releases
24.04.2008
The 25th Annual UCC Sports Star Awards, in association with Jury's Hotel Cork and The Bank of Ireland UCC, were presented at a function in Jury's Hotel, Western Road last evening, Wednesday, April 23rd 2008.
This year, ten students were honoured for their sporting achievements. "The calibre of the recipients is extremely high this year with all the stars excelling in their chosen sport", said Christine O'Donovan, Acting Director of Physical Education and Sport at UCC.
Marie Breen was honoured for the third time in recognition of her efforts for UCC Ladies Basketball. The club reached the varsity finals for the second year in a row and Marie was instrumental in bringing both the Super League and Superleague Cup titles to Cork as captain of Team Montenotte Glanmire. Denis Finnegan was honoured with a Sports Star Award for the first time for his performances in the Triple Jump during the last twelve months. Sam Cronin received an award for his contribution to UCC Rugby Club's success in winning the AIL Division 2 League Final recently. Sam was awarded "Player of the Match" in this historic victory for UCC RFC.
Other recipients being recognised this year included: Cathriona Foley (dual ladies Gaelic Football and Camogie), Fintan Goold (Gaelic Football), last year's 'Cadbury's U.21 Hero of the Future' winner, Laura McMahon (Ladies Gaelic Football), Julia O'Halloran (Ladies Hockey Irish Senior International), Shane O'Neill (Hurling), Diarmuid MacSuibhne (Kick-Boxing) and Ciaran Forde (Soccer).
In addition to these awards, a Special Achievement Award known as the "Kieran Dowd Perpetual Award" was presented to Éamonn Ryan. Éamonn received this award in recognition of his involvement with the UCC GAA Clubs during his term as GAA Development Officer. Éamonn has continued to be involved with both the hurlers and gaelic football clubs since his retirement in 2007. The University wishes to acknowledge Eamonn's contribution to GAA in UCC and Cork and, in particular, his involvement with Cork Ladies Gaelic Football who he coached to three Senior All-Ireland successes in-a-row.
UCC President, Dr Michael Murphy was in attendance at the Awards Ceremony along with Mr Seán Kelly, Executive Chairman, Irish Institute of Sport who was Guest of Honour. Personalities from the world of sport, parents, and coaches of the recipients, members of staff from UCC, UCC Clubs Executive members and representatives from Jury's Hotel and the Bank of Ireland UCC, as sponsors, were also present.
Christine O'Donovan, Acting Director of Physical Education & Sport, UCC, organiser of the evenings' event, acted as MC.
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25th UCC Sports Star Awards
Denis Finnegan (Athletics - Triple Jump)
All-Ireland Senior & U23 Champion 2007
2008 Indoor Intervarsity Champion - Intervarsity Record
Marie Breen (Basketball)
Third Award
UCC beaten varsity finalists
Captain Team Montenotte Glanmire to Superleague Cup & League success
Senior Irish International
Cathriona Foley (Camogie)
Second Award
Member of Cork Senior Camogie Team who won National League and beaten All-Ireland Finalists
All-Star Award
Member of Cork Senior Ladies Gaelic Football Team who won 3-in-a-row in All-Ireland Championship
Captained Muskerry to County Championship title
Fintan Goold (Gaelic Football)
Captained UCC Sigerson Cup Squad this year
Cadbury's "Hero of the Future Award" 2007
Member Cork Senior Football Team
Laura McMahon (Ladies Gaelic Football)
Member of UCC team which won the 'Lynch Cup' in 2008 Colleges All-Star for Gaelic Football
Member of Cork Senior Gaelic Football team who won 3-in-a-row in All-Ireland in Sept. '07
Julia O'Halloran (Ladies Hockey)
UCC Chilean Cup Winners
Munster Senior Cup Finalists
All-Ireland League Play-Offs
Irish Senior International
Shane O'Neill (Hurling)
Member of UCC Fitzgibbon Team
Captained Cork U21 to Munster Championship
Beaten All-Ireland semi-finalist
Captained Bishopstown to U21 City & Cork Championship titles last year
Member of Cork Senior Hurling Squad
Diarmuid MacSuibhne (Kick-Boxing)
Second Award
3rd Degree Blackbelt
Member of the Irish WKA team who competed in World Championships in Germany in August 2007
Member of UCC team who were overall winners of the Intervarsities in 2008
Sam Cronin (Rugby)
All-Ireland Division 2 League
Play-Offs Champions 2008
'Player of the Final' Award
Member of 'club' Ireland Team 2008 Irish Universities
Ciaran Forde (Soccer)
UCC Senior Soccer Team who competed in MSL Premier
Division
UCC Senior Player of the Year 2006/07
Irish Universities Team 2008
Picture: Cathriona Foley, Camogie; Sam Cronin, Rugby; and Laura McMahon, Ladies Gaelic Football; at the 25th UCC Sports Star Awards in Association with Jurys Hotel and Bank of Ireland, held at Jurys Hotel, Cork.
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