IN PICTURES: Loughmore Castleiney's McGrath wins another accolade at Mid Tipperary GAA Awards

By Michael Dundon

Long-time Clonakenny stalwart Peter Byrne was inducted into the Mid Tipp GAA Hall of Fame at the board’s annual awards night at Revel at The Ragg on Friday night last when Loughmore Castleiney’s Brian McGrath and Upperchurch Drombane’s Luke Shanahan were named senior hurler and footballer of the 2025 year for the division.

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The Hall of Fame Award was introduced in 1984 when famed Tipperary hurler Tommy Treacy was the first recipient and in subsequent years many of the division’s greats have been honoured.

Click the >arrow> or 'Next' buttons to see the pictures from the awards night in The Ragg

Peter Byrne’s involvement as a player and administrator at club level, and in more recent years as county board draw co-ordinator and chairman of the county board draw, was immense and Mid chairman, Martin Bourke, in his address, saluted “ his tremendous service to the GAA at both club and county level for many years”.

Brian McGrath had an outstanding campaign at the heart of the Loughmore-Castleiney defence as the club won back-to-back county senior hurling titles for the first time and joins his brothers Noel and John as winners of the award – a significant achievement for the McGrath family to have all three brothers selected.

Luke Shanahan was a leading figure in the Upperchurch-Drombane football journey last year and follows in the footsteps of his brother Paul who won the award in 2015.

The Young Hurler of the Year award went to Durlas Og’s Euan Murray recognising his contribution to the successes of Durlas Og in the county under 17 hurling championship,  to Thurles CBS’ All-Ireland colleges win, and also his involvement with the county under age team.

The Young Footballer of the Year award went to Dylan Cotter of Thurles Gaels who had a great year at both club and county level, the first Thurles Gael’s player to play for the county.

The senior club of the year award went to J K Brackens who recorded their second Mid senior hurling title last year and Moyne-Templetuohy club was named Intermediate club of the Year in recognition of their achievements in various grades in hurling and football.

The board also saluted the four players from the division who won hurling All-Star awards last year – Hurler of the Year, and captain of the Tipperary All-Ireland winning team, Ronan Maher, Rhys Shelley, John McGrath and Andrew Ormond and there was a special presentation to  Noel Joyce of JK  Brackens, five-times All-Ireland Scor champion.

Upperchurch Drombane’s success in the All-Ireland intermediate hurling championship was recognised by a presentation to the club from the board, accepted by Jim Ryan, chairman of the club.

Presentations were also made to referees from the division who officiated at finals during the year.

Mid chairman, Martin Bourke of Boherlahan Dualla, having paid tribute to board secretary Mark Dunne who organised the event, reminded the gathering that the GAA is about far more than medals and trophies.

“It is about community, volunteerism, pride of place, and people giving their time so that others can play, belong, and dream. This was never more evident than at the homecoming in Upperchurch Drombane. Tonight has been a celebration of excellence but it is also a reminder of the collective effort that makes nights like this possible”, he said.

He concluded – We are privileged to be part of something that connects generations, strengthens communities, and carries our traditions forward.

The achievement we celebrate  tonight will inspire the next group of young players coming through our clubs and that is perhaps the greatest legacy of all”..

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