On Saturday March 1, for the first time ever, Clough-Ballacolla GAA, Camogie and Handball Clubs came together to celebrate at their Dinner Dance in the Abbeyleix Manor Hotel.
Over 250 guests enjoyed a reception of music from Martin Delaney and Kevin Matthews, followed by a beautiful three course meal, followed by an awards ceremony highlighting the fantastic achievements of all three clubs in 2024. The night was finished with music from DJ Noel Brennan.
Among the guests of the night were Brian Allen (Laois GAA) and his wife Mary, Tom Clear (Laois GAA), Oonagh Maher (Laois GAA) and Paddy Dwyer (Laois Camogie) and his wife Siobhan, as well as executive committees from all three clubs.
Chairperson of the GAA club, Gordon Pearson welcomed the guests on the night, and outlined his gratitude to all those who were part of their successes in 2024 – from physios to hurl carriers, management teams to mammies, stats teams and pitch maintenance crews, and of course all those in the background keeping up the day to day running of the club.
He also wished teams well for 2025, particularly those currently in action with Laois senior, U-20 and Minor hurling teams.
The first award of the night, The Pat Kavanagh Memorial Award for the Club Person of the Year, was presented by Therese Ryan (nee Kavanagh) to senior hurling manager Willie Hyland.
He led the senior team back to county final glory this year alongside Michael McEvoy and Shane Maher (the first ever full internal management winning team for Clough-Ballacolla).
The medal presentations began then, first up was ACHL Division 3 winners, the intermediate team, who were presented their medals from their management team of Liam Dunne, John Fitzpatrick and Michael Harrison, this team was captained by Chris Rafter.
The intermediate hurler of the year went to Finbar Conway who unfortunately couldn’t join on the night as he’s currently travelling in Australia.
Camogie Chairman Georgie Boyhan then addressed the room, and again thanked all those who supported and helped out the camogie club in their most successful year ever.
The camogie club presented a very special award of recognition to the founders of the club Aine Whelan, Caroline and Seamus Brennan who formed the club back in 2016 and laid the foundations for this years successes.
The Junior Camogie team were the team of the night from the camogie club following their Shield final win last October, this team was captained by Denise Quigley Bergin and Marian Ferns.
The third group to receive medals on the night was the Junior B hurling team who were double champions in 2024, winning the ACHL Division 5 final and the Junior B championship final.
Led by captain Brendan ‘Harry’ McEvoy, this team showed a huge mixture of experience and youth, all blended together perfectly by management Shane Corby, Graham Kavanagh, Tom Dunne and Gerry Glendon.
The Junior Hurler of the Year, as voted by players went to John A Delaney, one of the most experienced men on the panel.
The celebration of successes then moved to the Handball Club where two members with outstanding accolades were awarded on the night.
Ollie Byrne, chairman of the handball club, welcomed Elizabeth Pearson and Kevin Brennan to the floor and left the room speechless when he outlined just how much these two players had achieved in 2024.
Elizabeth, the first female and juvenile player from the club to compete in World Championships, and internationally, won Gold and Bronze medals.
She was also part of the Leinster Ladies Wall Ball team who won gold in Croke Park, and also won Laois GAA Handballer of the Year.
Kevin, the first Laois man to compete in a 4 Wall All Ireland final in Croke Park, finished the year as Leinster Champion, an All Ireland Silver Medalist and a Bronze Medalist at the World Championships.
Kevin does remarkable work for the club in promoting and playing the game.
The final celebrations of the night were to the senior hurling team, who won the senior championship final.
Led by Captain Aidan Corby, this team excelled in 2024 and reaped the rewards on county final day in early October.
This win marked a seventh senior hurling championship title for club legends Darren Maher and Willie Dunphy.
The last awards to be presented were the Jack Hyland Memorial Award for Player of the Year and the John Coonan Memorial Award for Young Player of the Year, presented by Shane Hyland and Canice Coonan.
These awards went to corner and wing backs Jordan Walshe and Cormac Hogan.
Club Vice President John Cassin also presented 2023 Young Player of the Year Award to Mark Hennessy.
A truly memorable night for the friends and supporters of Clough-Ballacolla GAA, Camogie and Handball clubs with over 85 people receiving medals and/or awards on the night.
Photographer Denis Byrne was present on the night and captured some brilliant images (featured above and below).
While Laois GAA PRO Oonagh Maher also captured some great pictures which are shown below.
Oonagh Maher Pictures
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