2009 Press Releases
Sports Star Awards 2008/09
30.04.2009
The 26th Annual UCC Sports Star Awards, in association with Jury's Hotel and the Bank of Ireland, UCC, were presented at a function in Jury's last evening (Wednesday, April 29th 2009).
30.04.2009
The 26th Annual UCC Sports Star Awards, in association with Jury's Hotel and the Bank of Ireland, UCC, were presented at a function in Jury's last evening (Wednesday, April 29th 2009).
Ten students were honoured for their sporting achievements from seven different sports clubs. The outstanding success of team sports in UCC this year is reflected in the Sports Star Awards. UCC has had one of the most successful years on the sporting field in many years winning intervarsity titles and a number of provincial and cup titles.
Intervarsity success was achieved by the Ladies Volleyball Club who went on to represent the Irish Universities at a British University Championships, the Ladies Basketball Club at Senior and Fresher level and the Badminton Club who have also qualified for the All-Ireland Club Championships following success in the Munster Championships last weekend. The Kickboxing Club won their intervarsities in addition to the Ultimate Frisbee and Orienteering Mens' Team.
The Hurling Club brought the Fitzgibbon Cup back to Cork after a 14-year lapse while UCC Ladies Hockey Club were beaten Chilean Cup Finalists but took Munster by storm by winning the Munster Senior Cup, The Examiner Cup and took Harlequins to a play-off for the league title. UCC Rugby Club had success at every level with their teams from U20, Junior 1, 2 and 3 whilst pride of place goes to the Senior Team who have gained promotion to the AIL Division 1 next year. They compete in the League Final on Saturday, May 9th.
This year's recipients include Cathriona Foley who captained Cork to Senior All-Ireland success last year and received an All-Star for her performances, Sam Cronin who captained the senior rugby team to league glory and Joe Jordan for hurling. Joe has had a tremendous year winning an All-Ireland Intermediate Club medal with Blarney and being named 'Man of the Match' in the Fitzgibbon Cup Final. He is joined by UCC team mate Shane O'Neill who also played a leading role in UCC's victory.
Niamh Dwyer received her first award for Basketball following in the footsteps of Marie Breen. Niamh helped UCC win the Basketball Intervarsities for the first time having been finalists for the last three years. Niamh was awarded MVP for her final performance where she scored an incredible 36 points. Niamh was also awarded MVP for her performances with Team Montenotte Glanmire in the SuperLeague Final & SuperLeague Cup Finals.
UCC President, Dr Michael Murphy presented the Awards at the function along with Neal Horgan, Cork City FC who was Guest of Honour at the proceedings. Neal is a UCC Graduate and has been an ever present member of Cork City winning Setanta Cup, FAI, and Eircom League titles. During his time at UCC, Neal represented Ireland at the World Student Games for soccer, another highlight of his impressive career. Neal is currently recovering form a dislocated shoulder and is hoping to be back in a Cork City jersey in the near future.
In addition to these ten awards the 'Special Achievement Award' known as the 'Kieran Dowd Perpetual Award' was presented to Carmel O'Connor in recognition of her years of service to UCC Ladies Hockey Club. Carmel has been involved in almost every capacity in the club to the extent that she served as President of the Munster Branch of the Ladies Hockey Association as UCC's representative. She currently manages the UCC seconds and is held in high regard by all players.
Personalities from the world of sport, parents, coaches of the recipients, staff members from UCC, UCC Clubs Executive, representatives from Jury's Hotel and the Bank of Ireland UCC also attended the event.
Christine O'Donovan Director of Sport & Recreation (Acting) organiser of the event acted as MC.
The full list of winners is as follows:
LAURA CROWE - Athletics - 800M
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Intervarsity success was achieved by the Ladies Volleyball Club who went on to represent the Irish Universities at a British University Championships, the Ladies Basketball Club at Senior and Fresher level and the Badminton Club who have also qualified for the All-Ireland Club Championships following success in the Munster Championships last weekend. The Kickboxing Club won their intervarsities in addition to the Ultimate Frisbee and Orienteering Mens' Team.
The Hurling Club brought the Fitzgibbon Cup back to Cork after a 14-year lapse while UCC Ladies Hockey Club were beaten Chilean Cup Finalists but took Munster by storm by winning the Munster Senior Cup, The Examiner Cup and took Harlequins to a play-off for the league title. UCC Rugby Club had success at every level with their teams from U20, Junior 1, 2 and 3 whilst pride of place goes to the Senior Team who have gained promotion to the AIL Division 1 next year. They compete in the League Final on Saturday, May 9th.
This year's recipients include Cathriona Foley who captained Cork to Senior All-Ireland success last year and received an All-Star for her performances, Sam Cronin who captained the senior rugby team to league glory and Joe Jordan for hurling. Joe has had a tremendous year winning an All-Ireland Intermediate Club medal with Blarney and being named 'Man of the Match' in the Fitzgibbon Cup Final. He is joined by UCC team mate Shane O'Neill who also played a leading role in UCC's victory.
Niamh Dwyer received her first award for Basketball following in the footsteps of Marie Breen. Niamh helped UCC win the Basketball Intervarsities for the first time having been finalists for the last three years. Niamh was awarded MVP for her final performance where she scored an incredible 36 points. Niamh was also awarded MVP for her performances with Team Montenotte Glanmire in the SuperLeague Final & SuperLeague Cup Finals.
UCC President, Dr Michael Murphy presented the Awards at the function along with Neal Horgan, Cork City FC who was Guest of Honour at the proceedings. Neal is a UCC Graduate and has been an ever present member of Cork City winning Setanta Cup, FAI, and Eircom League titles. During his time at UCC, Neal represented Ireland at the World Student Games for soccer, another highlight of his impressive career. Neal is currently recovering form a dislocated shoulder and is hoping to be back in a Cork City jersey in the near future.
In addition to these ten awards the 'Special Achievement Award' known as the 'Kieran Dowd Perpetual Award' was presented to Carmel O'Connor in recognition of her years of service to UCC Ladies Hockey Club. Carmel has been involved in almost every capacity in the club to the extent that she served as President of the Munster Branch of the Ladies Hockey Association as UCC's representative. She currently manages the UCC seconds and is held in high regard by all players.
Personalities from the world of sport, parents, coaches of the recipients, staff members from UCC, UCC Clubs Executive, representatives from Jury's Hotel and the Bank of Ireland UCC also attended the event.
Christine O'Donovan Director of Sport & Recreation (Acting) organiser of the event acted as MC.
The full list of winners is as follows:
LAURA CROWE - Athletics - 800M
- First Award
- UCC Sports Scholarship recipient
- Intervarsity indoor 800M Champion
- Irish Senior Indoor 800M Champion
- 800M Outdoor Intervarsity Champion
- Represented Ireland in the Celtic Nations in Cardiff recently
- First Award
- UCC Sports Scholarship recipient
- Intervaristy winner
- MVP at Intervarsity Final
- MVP at Superleague Cup Final with Team Montenotte Glanmire
- MVP at Superleague Final with Team Montentotte Glanmire
- Irish Senior International
- Third Award
- UCC Sports Scholarship recipient
- Captained Cork to Senior All-Ireland success
- Camogie All-Star
- Member of UCC team who were beaten semi-finalists in Ashbourne
- First Award
- 'Man of the Match' in Fitzgibbon Final
- Fitzgibbon winner with UCC
- All-Ireland Intermediate Club winner with Blarney
- Fitzgibbon Cup All-Star
- Cork U21 2008 & 2009-04-28 Cork Senior Panelist 2009
- Second Award
- UCC Sports Scholarship recipient
- Fitzgibbon Cup All-Star
- Fitzgibbon Cup winner with UCC
- Member of Cork Senior Hurling team
- Winner of the Southside Sports Star Award for March 2009
- First Award
- UCC Sports Scholarship recipient
- Member of UCC team that won Intervarsities for second time in three years
- Member of UCC team that won Cork & Munster Clubs Championships
- Member of the UCC Team which won the Colleges League
- Number one female badminton player in Munster
- Munster U19 Singles & Doubles winner
- Second Award
- Sports Scholarship recipient
- Irish Senior International
- Member of UCC team who won Munster Senior Cup & Examiner Cup, runners-up in Chilean Cup & MSL
- Helped UCC get promotion to All-Ireland League
- Second Award
- UCC Sports Scholarship Recipient
- Irish Senior International
- Member of UCC team who won Munster Senior Cup & Examiner Cup, runners-up in Chilean Cup & MSL
- 'Player of Final' in Munster Senior Cup Final
- Munster Senior Interpros
- Second Award
- UCC Sports Scholarship recipient
- Selected on 'Club Ireland' team
- Captained UCC to promotion to AIL 1
- Irish Universities
- First Award
- UCC Sports Scholarship recipient
- Irish Universities
- U20 World Cup - June '08 with Irish U20 team
- Munster Academy
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