The students were honoured for their sporting achievements from nine different sports clubs. Christine O’Donovan, Acting Director, Sport & Recreation at UCC said UCC had a very successful year on the sporting front despite the trauma of the flood in November where many clubs lost equipment, gear, playing and training facilities. “Most clubs relocated to venues throughout the city and county to continue to train and compete. The University is indebted to clubs, schools, and organisations who gave of their facilities to UCC Clubs during this time.”

Intervarsity success was achieved by the Ladies Volleyball Club who went on to represent the Irish Universities at a British University Championships for the second year in a row. The Ladies Basketball Club retained their intervarsity Senior and Fresher titles in addition to winning the Premier and First Division Leagues. The Ultimate Frisbee Club won all competitions entered into on Irish soil – winning the indoor, outdoor and mixed intervarsity competitions - a first for the Club.

UCC Rugby Club enjoyed another very successful season at every level with their teams from U21, Junior 1, 2 and 3 all winning silverware whilst pride of place goes to the U21 Team who won the All Ireland Club Championship recently. The Senior Team were Munster Senior Cup Finalists and finished 3rd in the AIL Division 1B – a tremendous achievement in their first season at this level.

UCC Fresher hurlers under the guidance of former Cork Hurler , Ger Cunningham won the Fresher All Ireland Championship.

This year’s recipients include Orla Cotter who helped Cork to Senior All-Ireland Camogie success last September and helped UCC reach the Ashbourne Cup Final, David O’Callaghan who had a tremendous season with the rugby club winning an U21 All Ireland Club title in addition to being ever present on the senior team. David was also a member of the Irish U20 team which won the Six Nations and will head off to Argentina with the Irish U20 in June for the World Cup. Michael Shields received a Gaelic Football Award having helped UCC to reach the Sigerson Cup Final and reaching the All Ireland Senior Final with Cork in September. Michael is a current GAA All Star in addition to receiving an Ulster Bank GAA All Star last week for his performances with UCC.

Niamh Dwyer received her second award for Basketball. Niamh helped UCC retain the Basketball Intervarsities and was awarded MVP for her final performance where she scored an incredible thirty-two points. UCC also won the league this year defeating UL in the Final. Niamh also helped Team Montenotte Glanmire to retain their SuperLeague Title this year.

UCC Vice President for the Student Experience, Mr Con O’Brien presented the Awards at the function along with Marty Morrissey, RTE Commentator and UCC graduate, who was Guest of Honour at the Proceedings.

WINNERS:
Niamh Dwyer, Basketball
Orla Cotter, Camogie
Michael Shields, Gaelic Football
Ian O'Rourke, Golf
Julia O’ Halloran, Ladies Hockey
Audrey O'Flynn, Ladies Hockey
Sally McCarthy, Modern Pentathlon
Justin Ryan, Rowing
David O Callaghan, Rugby
Michael McSweeney, Soccer

In addition to these ten awards the “Special Achievement Award” known as the ‘Kieran Dowd Perpetual Award’ was presented to Thomas Horgan, UCC Sports Operative. Tom was a member of the Sports Department for the past 32 years and retired from his post of Sports Operative on April 26th 2010.

A special presentation was made to Lisa Cummins by Ms Megan Morris, Clubs Executive President on behalf of UCC students. The students of UCC wanted to recognise and acknowledge the achievement of their fellow student in the two-way crossing of the ENGLISH CHANNEL, thus becoming the first Irish female swimmer to do so.

Personalities from the world of sport, parents, coaches of the recipients, staff members from UCC, UCC Clubs Executive, representatives from The River Lee Hotel and the Bank of Ireland UCC were also present. Christine O’Donovan Director of Sport & Recreation (Acting) organiser of the event acted as MC.

Picture: (front) Megan Morris, Clubs Executive President; recipients Orla Cotter, Camogie; David O'Callaghan, Rugby: Justin Ryan, Rowing; Ian O'Rourke, Golf; Lisa Cummins, Swimming; Michael McSweeney, Soccer; Niamh Dwyer, Basketball and Sally McCarthy, Modern Pentathlon. (Back) sponsors and judging panel Tim O'Brien; Ruairi O’Connor, River Lee Hotel; Gerry Ryan, Bank of Ireland; Pat Price, Sport & Recreation, UCC; Marty Morrissey, RTE Sport; Con O'Brien, VP for the Student Experience, UCC and Christine O'Donovan, Director of Sport & Recreation (Acting), UCC.

1412MMcS

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