Trojan workers behind the scenes in Tipperary sport honoured at Annerville awards

Above: Among those honoured at the Annerville awards were, from left, Aoife Hanrahan (Kayaking), Méabh Russell (Soccer), Caoimhe Perdue (Hockey) and Geraldine Kinane (Sean Lyons Sports Executive award). Picture: John D Kelly

John Cleary, the winner of the Knocknagow Award (which the Tipperary United Sports Panel presents each year to a famous sportsperson of the past), was a veritable giant in the world of handball, Eamonn Wynne, Chairman of the Tipperary United Sports Panel, stated at last Saturday night’s presentation of the Annerville awards at the Talbot Hotel Clonmel.

He said that John Cleary had won Munster and All-Ireland titles at minor, junior and senior level over three decades, from the 1950s to the 1970s.

“Outside of the field of play, the Sports Panel also recognises those who work tirelessly behind the scenes and often out of sight, although not out of mind, to ensure the smooth operation and success of their respective sport,” the Chairman stated.

He said that two such Trojan workers were being honoured. They were Geraldine Kinane, a major driving force behind Tipperary camogie and her own Drom/Inch club, who won the Sean Lyons Sports Executive award; and Eileen Ryan, the long-serving secretary who has been a massive influence in the Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill GAA club for many years now, and who received the Jimmy Cooney Lifetime Achievement award.

Above: The Annerville award winners at the presentation ceremony at the Talbot Hotel Clonmel last Saturday night. Seated, centre, are Knocknagow (Sportsperson of the Past) Award winner John Cleary; Eamonn Wynne, Chairman of the Tipperary United Sports Panel; Derek Nolan, representing sponsors Bulmers, and Gerard Darcy, Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council. Picture: John D Kelly

“Our list of award winners comprises eleven women and ten men, who come from all corners of Tipperary, and who it can be truly said have done the Premier County proud,” he added.

The full list of award winners is

Athletics: Sean Mockler Moycarkey Coolcroo AC

Boxing: Shauna O’Keeffe Clonmel

Camogie: Karen Kennedy Thurles Sarsfields

Darts: Aoife McCormack Ballingarry

Gaelic football: Jack Kennedy Clonmel Commercials

Golf: Donnacha Cleary Tipperary

Hockey: Caoimhe Perdue Cashel

Hurling: Ronan Maher Thurles Sarsfields

Kayaking: Aoife Hanrahan Clonmel

Ladies Football: Lauren Fitzpatrick Ballymacarbry

Motorsport: Nicole Drought Roscrea

Pitch and Putt: Stephen O’Reilly Clonmel and Stephen Shoer Nenagh

Racquetball: Aisling Hickey Rossmore

Rowing: Daire Lynch Clonmel

Rugby: Brian Gleeson Loughmore

Snooker: Brendan O’Donoghue Nenagh

Soccer: Méabh Russell Clonmel

Special Achievement: Declan Foley Carrick-on-Suir

Sean Lyons Sports Executive: Geraldine Kinane Drom/Inch

Jimmy Cooney Lifetime Achievement: Eileen Ryan Eire Og Annacarty/Donohill

Knocknagow: John Cleary Tipperary Town