article in full - Seamus J. King website

Tiobraid Árann Abú - United Sports Panel 1959-2009
in conjunction with Bulmers Ltd
Golden Jubilee Presentation
of the
Annerville Awards
to the
2008 Tipperary Sports Stars
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in Hotel Minella, Clonmel
on Saturday, 31st January, 2009
United Sports Panel 2009: Back Row (left to right) Eamonn Wynne, Johnny O’Loughlin, Dave Hallinan, Seamus McCarthy, David Clancy, Liam Ó Donnchú; Front Row (left to right)
Jimmy Cooney, Seamus King, James Holohan, Ken Conway, Richie Blanche.
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Foreword
When a number of sports enthusiasts got together in 1959, little did
they realise that they were starting something that would stand the
test of time and be still a force 50 years later. Led by Sean Barlow
and the late Sean Lyons the United Sports Panel was formed. They
felt the time was right to have an Award Scheme in the county to
honour amateur sports stars in their chosen sports annually. In fact,
one should note that these were the first such awards in the country.
As well as honouring Tipperary’s outstanding amateur sportspersons
the United Sports Panel had another aim, as expressed by the second
chairman, the late Tom Halpin, when he presented the awards in
1964. He expressed the hope ‘that functions such as these, which
brought the stars of various sports together, would help to promote
unity in sport.’
Like all innovations, it was not without its teething problems. Finding
ways to finance it and getting venues were just two of them. In the
early days businesses in Clonmel were canvassed to sponsor the
trophies. This problem was eliminated for the 1964 awards when
Messrs Showerings Ltd. came on board as the main sponsors and the
awards became known as the Cidona Awards, recently changed to
the Annerville Awards. This sponsorship continues to this day and is greatly appreciated by the panel, as are the
many individuals and clubs who take out Honorary Membership of the United Sports Panel annually.
From small beginnings the scheme grew in stature. The committee consists of eleven persons. While some might
accuse it of being Clonmel-based, the objective was always to co-opt persons from other parts of the county
whenever vacancies arose thus ensuring all sport-stars came under the microscope. It is also to the credit of the
committee that the so-called minority sports were not forgotten and were honoured many times. In fact, as you
will read later, forty sports have been honoured over the fifty years.
How does the system work? Requests are made in the local newspapers, sporting bodies, clubs and through
individuals seeking potential award winners, and nominations are received.
Our committee is comprised of persons with a wide knowledge of sport. They meet on four occasions to conduct
what are called refresher courses. Each presentation and its merits are scrutinised in minute detail. For a sport to
be nominated it must get at least 6 votes from the panel of 11 members. Any number of sports can be selected
if they achieve the required number of votes. A similar criteria is in place to select the team or individual in each
discipline. Like all events where there is an adjudication system in place their deliberations might not always meet
with the approval of all members of the sporting public. Rest assured that final decisions are made with great
diligence. One would have to say that this is the main reason why this award scheme is so successful and is
much appreciated by the recipients. To mark this historic year each recipient tonight will receive an appropriately
inscribed award.
This celebration would not be complete without a compilation of the history of these awards and we are indebted
to our secretary, Seamus King, who took on this painstaking task. The fruits of his endeavours can be found
within this booklet.
I would like to use this opportunity to thank all the members, who have served on the panel since 1959. As you
will see later in this booklet, many have served for many years, and two of the current panel, Jimmy Cooney and
Johnny O’Loughlin, have been members since 1976, a tribute to their great dedication and commitment.
I should also like to congratulate the stars we are honouring to-night and all the stars of the past fifty years, who
received awards. They provide a roll call of the cream of Tipperary sport over half a century.
All surviving members of the United Sports Panel and inaugural winners have been invited to the function. Let’s
hope the present committee and future panellists will continue to honour many more Tipperary stars of the
future.
James Holohan, Chairman of United Sports Panel.
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1998 Presentation: Sports Executive Award, Seamus McCarthy, Gaelic Football, Declan Browne, Knocknagow
Award, Sean Cleary, Hurling, Tommy Dunne.
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1999 United Sports Panel: back row, left to right: Johnny O’Loughlin, Michael Guinan, Sean Barlow, John Quirke,
Jimmy Cooney, Liam Delahunty, Eamonn Wynne; front row, left to right: Davy Hallinan, Sean Lyons, Vera Hewitt
(Mayor of Clonmel), Paddy Doyle (Chairman), Johnny Ryan.
Annerville Awards
Aidan Murphy, Managing Director, Bulmers Ltd., Main
Sponsors 1964-2009
Sport plays an integral part in the lives of Irish people and is the
lifeblood of many throughout the communities in which we live. The
association between Bulmers and the Annerville Awards dates back
as far as 1964 and is an association of which Bulmers is especially
proud.
The Awards were established to recognise the wealth of sporting talent
being produced in Co. Tipperary with every passing generation, and
they are now recognised as the ultimate sporting accolade achievable
in the region. Bulmers Ltd is wholly committed to its involvement
in the awards, which is indicative of the huge pride Bulmers has in
Tipperary – the home of Bulmers for over seventy years, having been
established by William Magner in 1935.
Ireland is facing into challenging times and Bulmers strongly believes
that sport plays a crucial role in providing direction and increasing
morale for people of all ages and ability. Clubs and sporting associations
need huge support to survive but regardless of financial support, local
sport could not survive if it were not for the countless number of hours
that dedicated people are putting in behind the scenes. At Bulmers,
we hope that the Annerville Awards go some way towards thanking
our local sporting heroes for the indispensable work they do and to
also say thank you for the no-less important part played by trainers,
parents, families and supporters alike.
Brendan McGuiness, former MD of Bulmers, reflects on the Annerville Awards sponsorship; “Bulmers was
always proud to be involved with these prestigious awards and our association stretches back to the 1960s. The
sponsorship of the Annerville Awards is as important to Bulmers at a local level as the Magners League is at a
national level, as the Awards represent the grass-roots and foundations of our country’s rich sporting heritage.”
Bulmers has played its own part in the development of Irish sport for many years, most notably with its involvement
with the Golfing Union of Ireland on the historic All Ireland Cups and Shields and with our sponsorship of the
hugely successful Magners League.
Each of these competitions is firmly established and represents the highest of standards in both amateur and
professional competitions alike. They are a wonderful reflection of the calibre and dedication of sports people
from all over the country and a further demonstration of Bulmers’ true commitment to sport in Ireland.
This year is a major landmark in Tipperary’s sporting history as the United Sports Panel celebrates its 50th
anniversary. The United Sports Panel has played a key role in sport in Tipperary and its real value has been the
ability to highlight the importance of sport, honouring those who participate at every level. On behalf of everyone
at Bulmers, congratuations on 50 years of fantastic work - and here’s to the next 50!
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2004 Sports Stars: back row, left to right: Declan Browne, Jeff Hanrahan, Brian Barry, Denis Fogarty, Jackie Meagher; middle row, left to right: Harry Mulhaire, Joe Irwin, Una O’Dwyer,
Richard Power, Ailish Redmond, Linda Kennedy, Aoife Casey; front row, left to right: Denis Dunne (Mayor of Clonmel), Brendan McGuinness (MD Bulmer’s), John Kelly, Eamonn Wynne
(United Sports Panel), Sean Healy, Billy Kane.
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History of United Sports Panel 1959-2009
When the original members of the United Sports Panel first met they had, in fact, no name. They assembled in
the Slievenamon Hotel, Parnell Street on Saturday, December 12, 1959. When they met a week later to pick
their Stars it was unanimously decided on the proposition of Sean Barlow, seconded by Eddie O’Neill, to adopt
the name United Sports Panel.’ At their second meeting the panel elected the Sports Stars for 1959 by secret
ballot.
In the early years the trophies were presented by various business premises in the county but with the introduction
of the much-appreciated sponsorship of Messrs Showerings (Ireland) Limited came the introduction of the
Cidona Awards.
First of Its Kind
The Panel was the first of its kind to be formed outside Dublin. The members of the first panel were Sean
Cleary (chairman), Sean Lyons (organising secretary), Sean Barlow, Bill Hyland, Christy Mulcahy, Eddie O’Neill,
Bill O’Brien, Paddy Cummins, Ken Hogan, Tom Halpin and Ted Dillon. The presentation of the first awards was
made at the Tipperary County Basketball Board’s ceili in St. Patrick’s Hall, Clonmel on Sunday, January 17, 1960.
The recipients were presented in apparent random order. The sports honoured were Camogie, Soccer, Table
Tennis, Sports Executive, Athletics, Cycling, Hurling, Boxing, Basketball and Gaelic Football. A photograph of the
receipients appeared on the front page of the following week’s Nationalist. The awards were presented by the
Mayor of Clonmel, Councillor Maurice Slator, and all ten recipients were in attendance. Each was cheered to the
echo as he/she received the award. One of the biggest receptions of the night was reserved for John Doyle, the
hurling award winner. Each winner was presented with a cup. Sean Lyons introduced the various stars, thanked
them for coming, and also thanked all those who had donated trophies.
New Sports Recognised
Handball and Pitch & Putt were honoured in 1960 in place of Sports Executive and Boxing. In the report in
The Nationalist on the 1961 Sports Stars we are told that the Stars were chosen by ballot at a meeting in the
Slievenamon Hotel, Clonmel. Seven awards, all of the same design, were to be presented early in the New Year.
The report goes on to state: ‘Stars considered by the panel were those who participated in Tipperary amateur
sports during the year, or who represented the county in any of the sports mentioned.’
The report continued: ‘The panel was first formed in 1959 when ten awards were made. Last year the panel
again decided to choose ten sports, but when the members met this year it was agreed that the number should
be reduced by three. Knocked off the list were basketball, soccer and tennis.’
Knocknagow Award
The 1962 Awards were presented at a special dance in the Collins Hall, Clonmel on January 20, 1963.One
important addition to the awards was the Knocknagow Award, which was presented to honour an outstanding
Tipperary sportsperson from the past. The first recipient was athlete, J. J. Ryan of Cordangan, Tipperary. Also
making its first appearance in the awards in that year was weight-lifting.
The United Sports Panel picked eight stars plus the Knocknagow Award in 1963. The awards were presented in
the Collins Ballroom, Clonmel on Sunday, January 26, 1964 and the presentations were made at 10 pm by the
Mayor of Clonmel, Cllr. M. Kilkelly, P.C.
Honorary Membership
The four-page program listed the Honorary Members of the U.S.P. They included the Mayor, Christy Mulcahy, Tom
Fitzgerald, Jack Pyke, Jim Power, Colm Ryan, Andy Hogan, Snr., Andy Hogan, Jnr., Garry Lonergan, Gerry Coffey,
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1996 Stars William Maher & Brian Fogarty.
2004 Presentation of Knocknagow Award to
John Kelly by Brendan McGuinness (Bulmers Ltd.)
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2008 Presentation to Brendan McGuinness on the occasion of his retirement as Managing Director, Bulmer’s Ltd:
left to right: Seamus J. King (secretary), Johnny O’Loughlin, Brendan McGuinness, James Holohan (chairman),
Cyril O’Flaherty (vice-chairman), Jimmy Cooney.
Michael Hogan (Dublin), Mrs. K. O’Flaheryy (Cahir), Paddy O’Loughlin, William Byrne, Michael O’Brien, Ned Gahan,
Martin Cronin, Ald. Wm Corbett, Patrick O’Neill (Ardfinnan), John O’Neill, Tom Wall (Carrick-on-Suir), Ald, Sean
Treacy, T.D., William Caulfield, Bill Devereux, Senator Wm Ryan (Kilfeacle), Elmville Camogie Club, Con O’Donovan,
M.C.C. (Ballyporeen), Ald, John Kennedy, M.C.C., Matt Kennedy, D.P. Honan, M.C.C. (Ennis).
Bulmers Sponsorship
There was a major development when the Clonmel United Sports Panel announced the 1964 Awards. They
announced that the Irish Cider and Perry Company was sponsoring the awards and that the trophies would
henceforth be known as the Cidona Trophies. Also for the first time there would be a dinner-dance in connection
with the presentations and it was scheduled to be held in the Ormonde Hotel on Sunday, January 31, 1965.
A large advertisement appeared in The Nationalist underneath the report of the announcement of the awards and
the sponsorship. It stated: ‘The Irish Cider & Perry Company Ltd. Salute The Tipperary Sports Stars of 1964 and
are pleased to sponsor the Cidona Trophies. Happy Christmas to all Sportsmen and Sportswomen.’
The panel in charge of the presentation was as follows: Tom Halpin, chairman, Sean Barlow, vice-chairman, Sean
Lyons, secretary, John Boyle, M.C.C., Bill O’Brien, Bill Hyland, Tom Carroll, Paddy Cummins, Eddie O’Neill, Michael
O’Meara, Ted Dillon.
There was a preview of the 1965 awards in the ‘Nationalist’, the week before the announcement of the awards
was made. Columnist Atlas stated that the awards would be presented in the Ormonde Hotel, Clonmel on Sunday,
January 23 and attendance would be limited to 200 patrons. It was hoped that the proceedings would be televised
for subsequent showing. The Sports panel were pleased to announce that the Irish Cider and Perry Company Ltd.
Of Annerville. Clonmel had again agreed to sponsor the awards presentation.
Method of Picking the Stars
Atlas went on to describe how the sports stars were chosen. According to him any sport can be proposed for a
ballot of the members so long as it’s purely amateur in make-up and outlook. The sports that received 50 percent
plus 1 of the panel’s voting strength were automatically selected for producing a sports star. In the ballot for the
Stars each panel member makes his choice and it has to receive 50 percent plus 1 of the votes to be selected.
In the event of a tie or of no candidate reaching the ‘quota’, further ballots take place.
In answer to the question of influence or pull being used, Atlas stated: ‘I have served on the panel since its
foundation in 1959 and I can truthfully state that as far as human endeavour will allow, every selection of sports
stars is fair, clearcut and above reproach. Maybe that’s the secret of the panel’s success and its extraordinary
growth from year to year.’
The 1966 Awards, which were now called the Cidona Awards, were presented in the Ormonde Hotel, Clonmel
on January 29, 1967.
Saturday Night Presentation
Three new sports, Ladies Athletics, Golf and Rugby, were honoured for the first time in the 1967 Awards. They
were presented at a function in the Ormonde Hotel, Clonmel on Saturday, January 20, 1968. Up to that year the
Awards were presented on a Sunday night.
The 1968 Awards were presented at the Ormonde Hotel on the last Saturday in January, 1969. In a newspaper
report on the selection of the Stars it was stated: ‘Thanks to the untiring work by the panel members, the
continuing support of the growing numbers of honorary members and, most important of all, to the commercial
sponsorship extended to the panel by Messrs Showerings Ltd (Clonmel) without whose assistance USP could
never survive in these costly times.’
The 1969 Awards were presented at Hearn’s Hotel, Clonmel for the first time on January 16, 1970. The members
of the panel were as follows: chairman, Sean Barlow, vice-chairman, Bill O’Brien, secretary, Tom Carroll, treasurer,
Ald. Sean Lyons, John Boyle, Ted Dillon, Paddy Cummins, Bill Hyland, Ken Hogan, Michael O’Meara, Christy
Mulcahy.
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2007 United Sports panel: left to right: Ken Conway (treasurer), Johnny O’Loughlin, Cyril O’Flaherty (vice-chairman), Richie Blanche, Seamus McCarthy, Davy Hallinan, Eamonn Wynne,
Jimmy Cooney, James Holohan (chairman), Seamus J. King (secretary), Liam Ó Donnchú.
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New Departure
There was a new departure in the 1970 Awards when the Knocknagow Award was given to the eight survivors
of the Tipperary team, which won the 1920 All-Ireland senior football title (played in 1922).
The 1971 Awards were presented at Hearn’s Hotel on January 29, 1972. They were picked by the United Sports
Panel at a meeting in Hearn’s Hotel on December 18, 1971 and and history was made when one recipient,
Michael Keating, received two awards, in hurling and football. Badminton was honoured for the first time.
The 1972 Awards were presented in the Clonmel Arms Hotel for the first time on Saturday, January 26, 1973.
The event commenced at 7-30 pm and the music was by the Remo Quartet. Tickets were £2 each. Clay Bird
Shooting was honoured for the first time.
There was an increase in the number of awards to thirteen announced in 1974 and they were presented at a
function in the Clonmel Arms Hotel on the last Saturday in January 1975. Volleyball made its appearance for the
first time and the Knocknagow Award winner was the well-known journalist and broadcaster, Tommy O’Brien, who
was one of the finest billiard players in the county during the fifties. Brothers Jimmy and Paddy Doyle received
awards in different sports.
The 1975 Awards were presented at a function in the Clonmel Arms Hotel on the last Saturday in January 1976.
Rowing was awarded for the first time.
The 1976 Awards were presented at a dinner oin the Clonmel Arms Hotel on Saturday, January 29, 1977.
Equestrian, Sculling and Tennis were awarded for the first time.
The 1978 Awards were presented at the Clonmel Arms Hotel on January 27, 1979. Darts were honoured for
the first time.
First Lady Knocknagow Winner
The 1979 Awards were presented at the Clonmel Arms Hotel at the end of January 1980. History was made
when the Knocknagow Award was won by a lady, former international hockey player, Jenny O’Donnell, for the
first time.
The souvenir program produced for the 1980 awards includes a greatly expanded list of Honorary Members, one
hundred and seventy-six in all. Virtually every public representative and local councillor is included. Also included
was a list of the officers to date. The chairmen included Sean Cleary (1960), Tom Halpin (1961-65), Sean
Barlow (1966-68), Bill O’Brien (1969-71), Ken Hogan (1972-1974), Bill Hyland (1974), John Boyle (1975-78),
Seamus O’Doherty (1979-81). The secretaries during the period were Sean Lyons (1960-65), Eddie O’Neill
(1966-68), Tom Carroll (1969-72), Seamus O’Doherty (1973-74), Ken Hogan (1975-81). Sean Lyons took over
as treasurer in 1966 and was still in the position in 1981.
The names of all the Stars and Knocknagow Award winners over the twenty-one years were included.
The officers were as follows: chairman, Seamus O’Doherty; vice-chairman, Ted Dillon; secretary, Ken Hogan;
treasurer, Sean Lyons. The committee included John Boyle, Sean Barlow, Bill O’Brien, Johnny Ryan, Liam
Delahunty, Johnny O’Loughlin, Jimmy Cooney. As many as fifteen Awards were made, with Shooting included
for the first time.
The 1981 Awards included Powerlifting for the first time.
O’Callaghan & Tisdall
The 1982 Awards were presented at the Clonmel Arms Hotel on January 29, 1983. Olympic gold medalists Dr.
Pat O’Callaghan and Bob Tisdall, were selected for the Knocknagow Award.
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1970s United Sports Panel: back row, left to right: Seamus O’Doherty, Liam Delahunty, Ken Hogan, Jimmy Cooney,
Sean Barlow, Sean Lyons; front row, left to right: Johnny O’Loughlin, Johnny Ryan, John Boyle (chairman), Patricia
Keeley, (Mayor of Clonmel), Brendan McGuinness (Managing Director, Bulmer’s Ltd.), Bill O’Brien.
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Group taken at presentation to 1998 Tipperary Sports Stars: back row, left to right: Seamus McCarthy (Sports
Executive Award), Jimmy Quirke, Petey Savage, Michael O’Connell, Paddy Morrissey, Libby Morrissey, John
McNamara; front row, left to right: Michael McCarthy, Margaret McCarthy, Margaret McCarthy, Kathleen McCarthy,
Kitty Savage.
The 1984 Awards were the Silver Jubilee Awards of the United Sports Panel and they were presented at the
Clonmel Arms Hotel on January 26, 1985. In a press release in connection with the Awards, the panel outlined
its distinguished history over twenty-five years and concluded by saying: ‘In these times when a cynical approach
to all games is growing and the less acceptable face of some facets of the game are hitting the headlines, the
ideals for which the Panel was formed twenty-five years ago, to further sport for its own sake, is still laudable
and worthy of support.’
The distinction between men’s and Ladies’ athletics was abolished and athletics became one award, open to
men and women.
The 1985 Awards were presented at the Clonmel Arms Hotel on January 25, 1986. Rallying was honoured for
the first time. Motor Sport made its first appearance in 1986
The United Sports Panel of 1987 was as follows: chairman, Liam Delahunty, vice-chairman, Johnny O’Loughlin,
secretary, Seamus O’Doherty, treasurer, Sean Lyons; committee included Jimmy Cooney, Davy Hallinan, Peter
Tobin, Sean Barlow, Ted Dillon, Michael Guinan, Johnny Ryan.
Panel Dinner
In the course of his remarks at the AGM the chairman said he would like to see a get-together of the Panel
before Christmas. This would suggest that there wasn’t a get-together the previous year. At the next meeting the
treasurer reported there would be a get-together for the Panel at Cahir House on Sunday, January 3. Johnny
O’Loughlin recalls a Chairman’s Dinner from the time he joined, but believes it didn’t take place one or two years
because of financial constraints.
Two new sports, Judo and Raquetball, were honoured for the first time in 1989, and Canine Sports and Deep Sea
Angling made their appearance in 1990.
A new spotlight was introduced for the presentation of the 1992 Awards in the Clonmel Arms Hotel on the last
Saturday in January 1993. The chairman’s dinner was held in Cahir House Hotel on Sunday, January 3. More
sports continued to make their appearance in the Awards. In 1995 there were three, Gymnastics, Hockey and
Snooker. Swimming was honoured for the first time in 1996, as was Horse Racing in 1998. At the presentation
dinner in the Clonmel Arms Hotel on January 31, 1999 with 350 guests present, Johnny Ryan was presented
with an inscribed silver tankard to honour twenty-five years of loyal service to the panel.
A sub-committee of the United Sports Panel was held in the Clonmel Arms Hotel on October 3, 1999 to discuss
a special event to celebrate the Millennium Presentation Dinner. The following suggestions were agreed: a)
selection of the outstanding sportsmen since the awards began; b) honour the surviving members of the 1959
Sports Stars; c) seek Showerings involvement; d) video the awards ceremony and seek exposure on Multichannel
TV; e) produce a souvenier brochure, possibly in colour.
Presentations for Service to Panel
After some years being held in Clonmel Arms Hotel the chairman’s dinner was held in Cahir House Hotel.
Showerings Ltd. gave a ‘once off’ subvention of £500 to the panel. Three hundred and seventeen people attended
the Awards Dinner in the Clonmel Arms Hotel on January 29, 2000. A presentation tankard was presented to
Liam Delahunty to honour twenty-five years loyal service to the panel.
The chairman’s dinner was held in Bailey’s of Cashel in January 2002 and Johnny O’Loughlin and Jimmy Cooney
were presented with mementoes for their 25 years of service to the panel.. There was a large crowd at the
Presentation Dinner in the Clonmel Arms Hotel on January 25, 2002, with 348 guests attending. Sailing was
honoured for the first time.
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2000 Presentation: Knocknagow Award winner,
Jimmy Hannon (Coolcroo)
2002 Presentation of Knocknagow Award to Jimmy
‘Butler’ Coffey by Jimmy Cooney
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Presentation of Bulmers sponsorship cheque to officers of United Sports Panel in 1969: left to right, Michael
O’Meara (U.S.P.), John Kelly (MD, Bulmers), Bill O’Brien (chairman, U.S.P.), Paddy Cummins (U.S.P.), Tom Meany
(Bulmers).
Sean Lyons, a founder member, retired at the end of the year. As well as concieving the idea of the awards scheme,
Sean was a driving force on the panel over the years and played a huge and pivotal role in its organisation and
development. Unfortunately the year ended with the death of Sean, one of the founder members of the panel and
for many years the inspiration behind its work.
Martial Arts was recognised for the first time in the 2002 Awards.
At a meeting on November 9, 2004 it was agreed to name the Sports Executive Award the Sean Lyons Sports
Executive Award. It was also agreed to inaugurate a new award, a Special Achievement Award, to be awarded to
to athletes who were performaing with some deficiency.
At the November 9, 2005 meeting the members were informed that the Clonmel Arms Hotel was closing down.
Seamus McCarthy offered the Bank of Ireland building in Parnell Street as a meeting place.
Move to the Minella Hotel
A new venue had to be found for the Presentation Dinner and the Hotel Minella was the choice for the meal on
January 28, 2006. A letter was sent to Showerings re increase in sponsorship. In reply the company agreed to
increase our sponsorship by €1,000 to cover the cost of our move to the Minella Hotel. The chairman’s dinner
was held in Legends, Cashel on January 14, 2006.
The AGM of 2006 was held in Mulcahy’s Bar, Gladstone Street, Clonmel on October 23. It became the new
location of the Panel meetings. Officers elected were as follows: chairman, James Holohan, vice-chairman, Cyril
O’Flaherty; secretary, Seamus J. King, treasurer, Ken Conway. Members: Eamonn Wynne, Jimmy Cooney, Johnny
O’Loughlin, Michael Guinan, Richie Blanche, Liam Ó Donnchú, Seamus McCarthy. The chairman’s dinner was held
in Lilli Mai’s, Golden on January 20 and the Presentation Dinner was held in the Minella Hotel on January 27.
The biggest change in the 2007 Awards was in the change in the name of the Awards. The Cidona brand was
no longer held by Showerings Limited so they could not retain the name for the Awards. A new name had to be
found and the one chosen was Annerville, the name of the townsland where the company is located. So after
forty-two years as the Cidona Awards they were called the Annerville Awards for 2007 and presented as such at
the presentation dinner, in the Minella Hotel on February 2, 2008.
Fifty Years in Existence
In the course of his address to the members at the 2008 AGM, held in Mulcahy’s Pub, Gladstone Street, Clonmel
on October 8, chairman, James Holohan, looked forward to the presentation of that year’s awards and expressed
the opinion that the presentation dinner would have to be something special as we would be celebrating fifty
years of our existence. It would also be an opportune time to research the history of the awards. He suggested
that in picking the Stars of 2008 we should remain with ‘the amateur ethos agreed by our founders.’
The chairman, James Holohan, secretary, Seamus J. King, and treasurer, Ken Conway, were re-elected. Richie
Blanche was elected to the position of vice-chairman, in place of the late Cyril O’Flaherty, who died during the
year. At the first Refresher Meeting David Clancy, Clonmel, was co-opted on to the panel, bringing it up to its full
complement of eleven members..
The 50th presentations of the awards took place in the Minella Hotel, Clonmel on January 21, 2009. Special
guests at the dinner included past members of the panel as well as the survivors of the first awards. A special
presentation booklet was produced for the occasion outlining the history of the awards and including the names
of all the winners over fifty years. It also included the names of all the members of the United Sports Panel over
the period as well as a representative selection of photographs.
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1978: Camogie winner, Kay Maxwell, Presentation Convent, Cashel with her parents Michael and Ettie, and
brother John at the presentation in the Clonmel Arms Hotel
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Pictured at the 1994 Tipperary United Sports Panel Cidona Awards were, standing, from left, Panel members
Eamonn Wynne, Sean Barlow, Johnny O’Loughlin, Johnny Ryan, Jimmy Cooney, Liam Delahunty, Paddy Doyle,
Phil Lowry and Michael Guinan. Seated, from left, Colin Gordon, Bulmers; - ; Knocknagow Award winner, boxer
Michael Dwan (Ballylooby and Dublin); the Mayor of Clonmel, Cllr. Seamus Healy; Brendan McGuinness, managing
director of Bulmers; Davy Hallinan, chairman, United Sports Panel; Maeve Clohessy, Bulmers and Sean Lyons,
treasurer, United Sports Panel.
Members of the United Sports Panel
1959-2009
(Current members in bold.)
Officers:
Sean Cleary (1959)
Sean Lyons (1959-2001) RIP
Sean Barlow (1959-2000)
Bill Hyland (1959-1977) RIP
Christy Mulcahy (1959-1971) RIP
Eddie O'Neill (1959-1969)
Bill O'Brien (1959-1981) RIP
Paddy Cummins (1959 -1972) RIP
Ken Hogan (1959-1984)
Tom Halpin (1959-1965) RIP
Ted Dillon (1959-1987) RIP
John Boyle (1960-1978) RIP
Tom Carroll (1961-1974)
Michael O'Meara (1963-1976)
Seamus O'Doherty (1972-1993)
Johnny Ryan (1973-2001)
Liam Delahunty (1973-2000)
Johnny O'Loughlin (1976Jimmy Cooney (1976Phil Corby (1981-1986)
Peter Tobin (1982-1989) RIP
Davy Hallinan (1986-2004)
Michael Guinan (1986-2004)
Paddy Doyle (1989-2002) .
Phil Lowry (1993-1997)
Eamonn Wynne (1993John Quirke (1997-2005)
Seamus J. King (2001James Holohan (2001James Hayden (2002-2005)
Cyril O'Flaherty (2002-2008) RIP
Richie Blanche (2004Ken Conway (2004Seamus McCarthy (2005Liam Ó Donnchú (2005Davy Hallinan (2007David Clancy (2008-
Chairmen:
Sean Cleary 1959-60
Tom Halpin 1960-66
Sean Barlow 1966-69
Bill O'Brien 1969-72
Ken Hogan 1972-75
Bill Hyland 1975-76
John Boyle 1976-79
Seamus O'Doherty 1979-82
Ted Dillon 1982-85
Liam Delahunty 1985-88
Johnny O'Loughlin 1988-91
Jimmy Cooney 1991-94
Dave Hallinan 1994-97
Paddy Doyle 1997-2000
Michael Guinan 2000-03
Eamonn Wynne 2003-06
James Holohan 2006-09
Secretaries:
Sean Lyons 1959-66
Eddie O'Neill 1966-69
Tom Carroll 1969-72
Seamus O'Doherty 1972-75
Ken Hogan 1975-86
Seamus O'Doherty 1986-94
Jimmy Cooney 1994-04
Seamus J. King 2004-09
Treasurers:
Sean Lyons 1966-2001
Jimmy Cooney 2002-06
Ken Conway 2006-09
17
1959 Sports Stars: back row, left to right: Bill Hyland (Sports Executive), Patsy Ward (Soccer), Kevin Pyke (Table
Tennis), Jack Lalor (Athletics), Johnny Gearon (Cycling), Liam Ralph (Boxing); front row, left to right: Leo Dooley
(Gaelic Football), Terry Griffin (Camogie), Maurice Slator (Mayor of Clonmel), John Doyle (Hurling), Phil Fanning
(Basketball).
18
United Sports Panel members pictured at the 36th presentation of the Cidona Awards in 2000 – from left, Jimmy
Cooney, Sean Lyons and Sean Barlow.
USP Honorary Membership 2005-2006
Ballypatrick Sports Centre
Barlo Motors Clonmel
Beatrice Lawrence Clonmel
Billy Byrne Clonmel
Billy Stokes Kilsheelan
Brian Tyrrell Clonmel
Cashel Camogie Club
Cashel King Cormacs Gaa Club
Cashel Rugby Club
Cashel Town Soccer Club
Christy Alyward Clonmel
Clancy Family Old Bridge Clonmel
Cllr Derry Foley
Cllr Pat English Clonmel
Cllr Seamus Healy
Clonmel Handball Club
Clonmel Town F C
Eamonn Lacey Nationalist Newspaper
Frank O Meara Kilsheelan
Ger Walsh Clonmel
Gerard Walsh Nationalist Newspaper
Gerry Chawke Clonmel
Hally & Sons Ardfinnan
Hillview Sports Club Clonmel
Jim Healy Kilsheelan
Jim Holohan Kilsheelan
Jimmy Cooney Clonmel
Jimmy Harney Clonmel
John Quirke Cahir
John Tobin Ballypatrick
Johnny Fitzpatrick
Josephine Brett Clonmel
Ken Conway Clonmel
Kilsheelan And Kilcash Gaa Club
Larkspur Park Cashel
Michael Fitzgerald Clonmel
Michael Heverin Clonmel
Ned O Connor Cahir
Niall Lonergan Clonmel
P J Moloney Cahir
Phil Corby Clonmel
Power & Co Bolton Street Clonmel
Quinlivan Family Clonmel
SarSfield Centre Thurles
Seamus & Luci Foley Cashel
Seamus & Margaret Mccarthy Kinsale
Seamus Maher Cashel
Sen Labhras O Murchu Cashel
Senator P Prendergast
South Tipp Gaa Board
Sureprint Clonmel
Tipperary Gaa Board
Tipperary Handball Board
Tipperary T S D L
Tom O Dwyer Clonmel
Tommy Lonergan Kilsheelan
Tony Gleeson Kilsheelan
Woodlock Developments
United Sports Panel - Paddy Cummins
Paddy Cummins was one of the founding members of the United Sports Panel.
In the early years the sponsorship for the awards came from local businesses and enterprises around the locality.
In 1964 Paddy, who worked in Showerings at the time, set about securing a major sponsor for the awards.
He was successful in his endeavours by securing sponsorship from Showerings for
what was to become known as the Cidona Awards. Paddy was in charge of purchasing
and preparing the trophies for the gala event every year.
To this end he would hitch a lift to Dublin with a
creamery truck and buy the figures for the trophies
and then make the wooden bases in his joinery
workshop at the back of his house in O’Rahilly
Ave. Clonmel.
This became a yearly ritual for the Cummins family,
who would help with the trophy preparation and
polishing. The practice continued until 1977 when
George Glendon was commissioned to design the
trophies
One of the original trophies
made by Paddy Cummins
Paddy Cummins received the Knocknagow Award
in 1984 for his past achievements with Tipperary
inter-county soccer team, who were All Ireland
finalists in 1938/9 & 1939/40.
Paddy Cummins, centre,
winner of the Knocknagow
Award in 1984, with Brendan
McGuinness, MD Bulmers
Ltd., left, and Sean Lyons,
United Sports Panel.
19
In 1966 national athlete and sports journalist, Dave Guiney, attended the awards ceremony and made a
presentation to each member of the United Sports Panel: back row, left to right: Christy Mulcahy, Ten Dillon, Tom
Carroll, Michael O'Meara, Paddy Cummins, Eddie O'Neill, Bill Hyland; back row, left to right: John Boyle, Dave
Guiney, Sean Lyons, Sean Barlow, Bill O'Brien.
20
1960 Sports Stars: back row, left to right: Liam Daly (Pitch & Putt), Kevin Pyke (Table Tennis), Connie & Tom
Cleere (Handball), Tony Newport (Gaelic Football), Timmy O'Dwyer (Basketball), Jack Lalor (Athletics); front row,
left to right: Mick Boyle (Soccer), Kitty O'Flaherty (Camogie), Sean Treacy (Mayor of Clonmel), Tom Halpin (United
Sports Panel), Sean Lyons (United Sports Panel), Theo English (Hurling).
Knocknagow and Annerville Awards
by Tom Glendon
The design for the Knocknagow and Annerville Awards was
formed over thirty years ago and presented for the first time
in 1977. In the intervening years many of the people involved
in the preliminary discussions have either moved onto other
companies or retired; the last direct contact I had with anybody
from those initial communications was Brendan McGuinness,
Managing Director of Showerings. The brief was to design an
award that would be presented to a county individual who in
their field of sport had an achievement at an international or
national level, and a smaller version to recognise emerging
local sports persons.
I as a sculptor felt it was important to present a recognisable
motif with a timeless character relative to Showerings, the
sponsors. Through their cider and cidona products the apple
or elements thereof suggested a theme to explore. The final
design is a reflection of drawing and modelling in my studio,
marquettes were presented to the then committee and a final
shape arrived at. With minor modifications the design has
stood the years well.
The Knocknagow award is made of bronze with a polished
front and back and dark patination on the sides, mounted on a
polished limestone base. The shape is an apple form and the
concept is that of the act of paring and de-coring an apple with
the stem giving a satisfying completeness to the design. The
aim of its size and weight ( in terms of apparent thickness ) is
to give a sculptural feel to the shape and an uniqueness in the
field of award design.
The Annerville award is a relief of the Knocknagow award
made of sterling silver mounted on a polished limestone base
in a pylon shape where its size although smaller than the
Knocknagow reads as a proper award in itself.
www.thomasglendon.ie
21
1991 Sports Stars: back row, left to right: Eddie Corbett, John O’Donoghue, Terry McHugh, Nenagh Golf Club representative, Sean Naughton, John Leahy, Michael Grace, Michael
Fitzgerald; front row, left to right: Robert Power, Kaiffe Moloney, Tom Healy, Vera Hewitt (Mayor of Clonmel), Brendan McGuinness (Bulmers Ltd.), Jimmy Cooney (Chairman), Bobbie
Brennan, Olivia Holohan.
22
The 2008 Tipperary Sports Stars
Athletics: Aoife Bartley (Carrick-on-Suir)
2008 was a great year for Carrick-on-Suir Athletic Club and especially 16 year-old Aoife Bartley,
who broke no fewer than three triple jump records and represented Ireland at three international
championships. Aoife won the U-17 long jump with a leap of 5.29 metres in the first leg of the
All-Ireland Juvenile Track and Field Championships in Antrim. But she really grabbed attention at
the second leg of the championships held in Tullamore, when she won the U-17 triple jump with
a huge leap of 11.24 metres, an improvement of almost three quarters of a metre on the previous
record of 10.61.
Aoife was again in record-breaking form at the East Munster Junior Schools event, with a leap of
10.84 metres; and at the Munster Track and Field Championships, with a jump of 10.85 metres.
She also enjoyed the distinction of becoming the first student from Carrick’s Scoil Mhuire to win an
international schools medal when finishing third in the triple jump with a personal best jump of 11.32 metres at the Schools
International at Bedford, when she was beaten by two older English girls. She wore the Irish singlet at the 3As Championship
in Birmingham, where she finished sixth with a leap of 10.99 metres in very poor weather. And along with club colleagues Dara
Kervick and Shane O’Dwyer, Aoife competed for Ireland at the Celtic International in Scotland, when she came third in the triple
jump of 11.27 metres. This was a particularly proud meeting for the Carrick club, the only club in the country to have three
athletes selected for the meeting.
Boxing: Con Sheehan (Clonmel).
Con Sheehan wrote himself into the history books this time last year when he became the youngest
ever senior heavyweight champion in the history of the Irish Amateur Boxing Association when he
emphatically won the final of the 91 kgs. division at the National Boxing Stadium. At just 18 years
of age, Con showed all the skill and composure of a seasoned senior boxer with four great wins
in as many days to claim a fully deserved first senior title both for himself and the Clonmel club,
which was established in 1995. It was also the first senior title won by a Clonmel man in more
than 50 years.
In the final he dug out a hard-fought 6-3 victory over his namesake Tommy Sheehan, representing
the St. Michael’s club in Athy, after he found himself 3-0 down in the first round. His wonderful
achievement was also rewarded with the Boxer of the Championship Award. En route to the final
he beat Pat Phelan, also of St. Michael’s, Athy; senior international and world championship quarter finalist John Sweeney
from Co. Donegal; and William Byrne from Knocknagoshel in Kerry. He had earlier won the Munster Intermediate heavyweight
championship in Midleton. Con also represented Ireland at the Olympics qualifiers in Pescara, Italy, when he was beaten by the
eventual gold medallist. And he was in action for Ireland at the European Union Championships, winning a silver medal with
victories over Scottish and German opponents before losing out on points in the final.
Camogie: Trisha O’Halloran (Portroe)
For a county that dominated the sport in recent years, Tipperary didn’t enjoy much luck on the
camogie pitch during the past year. Defeats in the National League and Munster Final meant that
they faced a tough task to get their season back on track in the All-Ireland championship. Victories
over Kilkenny, Dublin and Limerick and a draw with Galway offered a glimmer of hope, but that
was extinguished by Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final. The one shining light for the county during
the season was Trisha O’Halloran, whose string of impressive displays throughout her campaign
earned Tipperary its only camogie All Star. Trish’s talent was obvious from an early stage and she
broke into the county team at just 16. Since then she has put her stamp on the game as one of its
most consistent performers, and a player of great versatility who is particularly effective in any one of
the central positions in defence.
She also made her mark last year on the club scene with Duharra, the Portroe/Burgess combination. They had high hopes for the
competition when they enjoyed a preliminary round victory over Drom/Inch but in the county semi-final were beaten by a Drom
team that eventually went on to win the championship.
23
Cycling: Sam Bennett (Carrick-on-Suir)
2008 was always destined to be a big year for Sam Bennett, and the young Carrick-on-Suir cyclist
didn’t disappoint. His first major success was recorded in June, eleven days after he completed his
Leaving Cert, when he won the National Junior Road Race Championship in Midleton. He followed
that up two weeks later by capturing the M. Donnelly Junior Tour of Ireland in Mayo. He captained the
Irish national team in that event and also claimed the Tour’s Points Classification and two stages, a
time trial up the Windy Gap and a road stage in Castlebar. But the best was yet to come.
In Poland in September he won the gold medal in the European Track Championships Points Race,
Ireland’s first ever medal in a European cycling championship. The scale of this achievement was put
into perspective by the fact that there’s no velodrome (indoor cycling track in Ireland), and Sam had
to prepare for the event in Belgium; it was only his third race on a track; he had a restricted training
programme because of his exams, and he was up against cyclists from all the top European nations who specialise in track cycling.
These riders included world champion Michael Kwiatkowski of Poland, whom he beat into third place. An all-rounder who can climb,
time trial and sprint, Sam’s performances have catapulted him straight onto Cycling Ireland’s elite squad for the London Olympics
in 2012. Having won several elite events at junior and senior level in the past few years, he was ranked the number one junior
cyclist in Ireland in 2007 and 2008.
Gaelic Football: Colin Morrissey (Galtee Rovers).
Completing the West and county senior football championship double meant that Galtee Rovers
returned from the wilderness last year. They wrapped up the first leg of that double with a comfortable
1-14 to 0-7 win over Eire Og Annacarty in the divisional final in September. They encountered
much tougher opposition, however, the following month when they just got the better of Cahir by 2
points, 0-7 to 0-5, in the county final to win the title for the first time in 27 years. The experience
and influence of Colin Morrissey were crucial not just in that victory but in other games when Rovers
were up against the odds, particularly the county semi-final. It would have taken a brave man to bet
against Aherlow when they led the Bansha team by 9 points after 17 minutes. But Colin and his
team-mates had other ideas and hauled themselves off the canvas to shade the all-West affair by 2
points and resurrect their season.
Rovers had that ideal blend of youth and experience during a memorable campaign and throughout the season Colin Morrissey,
one of their most seasoned players, stood apart as a vital presence in the centre of the field. His first Annerville award is a
fitting reward for a player who hails from a great GAA family – his sister Mairead was on the All-Ireland winning ladies football
team, which was managed by their father Paddy – and Colin also has the unique distinction of having played at all grades of
championship hurling and football for Tipperary.
Golf: Kieran Kennedy (Thurles).
24
A soldier from Thurles was another who struck gold during the year when he became the first
Irishman to win the 5th World Military Golf Championship in Ottawa, Canada. Kieran Kennedy, a
sergeant based at Kickham Barracks in Clonmel, beat 100 competitors from 15 countries to win the
gold medal. In the 72 hole competition he came from a round of 73, four behind, on the first day; a 71,
one behind, on the second day; and a 73, all square, on day three to win the competition by two shots
with a round of 71 on the final day. He also had to conquer the conditions at the Hylands course in
Ottawa, with the summer temperatures ranging from 29 to 31 degrees. Three golfers were level in
the final round on Friday and Kieran eventually beat Mike Batten of Australia to take the title, with
messages of congratulations pouring into his home once news of his great achievement crossed the
Atlantic. He was also part of the eight-strong Defence Forces team that finished fifth overall.
Kieran was selected for the championships following his success in the Southern Brigade competition and in four subsequent trials
held at the Curragh involving the army, navy and air corps. A member of Thurles Golf Club, Kieran is a +2 handicapper and also won
the senior scratch cup at Clonmel in September with a very impressive round of 69, three under par.
Handball: Ger Coonan and Martin McInerny Ballina
Ger Coonan and Martin McInerny upheld the proud handballing tradition of their club and
county by winning the All-Ireland 60 x 30 Intermediate doubles title. It was a landmark
victory for handball in the county as only one other pair – Cashel’s Noel Murphy and Josie
O’Dwyer – had succeeded in winning this particular title, in 1995. Fresh from winning
the All-Ireland 60 x 30 singles championship, Ger Coonan teamed up with his Ballina
clubmate Martin McInerny to blaze a similar trail through the doubles. They defeated the
Limerick pair of Paul Hedderman and Tom O’Brien in the Munster Final in August.
They then travelled to Mayo to take on Ollie Cassidy and Paul Flynn in the All-Ireland Semi-Final and were successful in the third
game on a scoreline of 21-10. In that final Ger and Martin faced the Dublin pairing of Ian Griffin and Kerry Hennessey in Croke Park
on the eve of the All-Ireland Hurling Final. The Tipperary pair were unstoppable on the night and accounted for the Dublin pair in two
straight games on a scoreline of 21-16, 21-18. It was an outstanding performance that gave their large following plenty to cheer, as
they brought more glory to that great handball stronghold of Ballina.
Hurling: Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch).
The ultimate prize of an All-Ireland senior championship may have eluded the county, but 2008
was still a year when a huge amount of pride was restored to Tipperary hurling. Followers of the
game had precious little to get excited about in the previous few years, until the displays of Liam
Sheedy’s team saw the county re-emerge as a real force. The team performed with a renewed
sense of urgency and confidence, and midfielder Shane McGrath was central to the county’s
recovery. The Ballinahinch man scored 3 points from play when Tipp beat UCC in their first match
of the year in the Waterford Crystal tournament in Nenagh in January, and that set the standard for
his performances for the remainder of the season.
He was a model of consistency throughout the National League campaign, and played a typically
influential role at midfield when Tipp beat Galway in the league final to claim the county’s first
significant silverware in 7 years. When Tipp at last smashed that 85-year sequence without a championship win against Cork
in Cork, 24 year-old Shane made another significant contribution, as he prowled the middle of the field with a calm authority.
Tipp won their first Munster championship in 8 years when they defeated Clare in Limerick, with the help of three points from
Shane McGrath who turned in another busy shift. His fine performances were amply rewarded when Shane was selected at
midfield in the 2008 All Stars team, when he was joined in the line-up by fellow Tipperary players Brendan Cummins and Conor
O’Mahony.
Ladies Football: Tipperary Intermediate Team
Tipperary’s Ladies Intermediate footballers didn’t allow
setbacks that occurred during the season to deter them in
their quest for All-Ireland glory. They suffered a comprehensive
defeat by Clare in the Munster final at the end of June, and
a fortnight later in the All-Ireland series The Banner County
frustrated them again, beating Tipp by 5 points. Undaunted by
those defeats, the Tipp girls re-launched their campaign with
victories over Roscommon and Cavan, and they then avenged
their All-Ireland semi-final defeat by Wexford the previous year by beating the same opponents at the penultimate stage of
the championship. Facing a side that had already beaten them twice during the season, a lesser team might have folded in
September’s All-Ireland final in Croke Park. But this Tipp team had been prepared to peak at exactly the right time, under the
expert guidance of manager Paddy Morrissey and his backroom staff Michael McCarthy and Martin McDermott. They looked to
be sliding towards another defeat by Clare when they trailed by 4 points early in the second half. But they showed tremendous
resolve to claw their way back into the game and held their opponents scoreless for the final 18 minutes.
The comeback was driven by the outstanding midfield pairing of captain Angie McDermott and Mairead Morrissey and the
scoring prowess of Edel Hanley, who scored a magnificent total of 10 points. Thanks to a tremendous overall team performance,
Tipp eventually gained the upperhand in a pulsating affair and by the finish their three-point victory had earned the county its
first All-Ireland Ladies Football title in 28 years. An All-Star award for Aherlow’s Edel Hanley was the icing on the cake on a
tremendous year for Tipperary Ladies Football.
Back row, left to right: Jayne Clancy, Patrice Ryan, Claire Carroll, Jennifer Grant, Maeve Corcoran, Treasa McManus, Patricia
Hickey, Nora Noonan, Edel Hanley, Sheelagh Carew, Mairead Luttrell, Joanne O’Doherty, Sinead Delahunty, Samantha Lambert,
Carmel Condon, Barbara Ryan; front row, left to right: Eileen Brennan, Claire Lambert, Anne O’Dwyer, Siobhan Costello, Aoife
O’Dwyer, Gillian O’Brien, Mairead Morrissey, Angie McDermott (capt.), Edith Carroll, Olivia McCarthy, Caitriona Walsh, Karen
Barry, Nancy Ferris; mascots: Laura Peters, Kate O’Meara.
Pitch and Putt: Paul O’Brien (Lakeside, Templemore)
The star of the tournament when Ireland won the Pitch and Putt World Cup in October was a
Tipperary man. Paul O’Brien from Lakeside, Templemore won six matches from six as Ireland
powered home to win the world cup for the first time. It was a triumphant year for pitch and putt
players from the county, with Tipperary winning more All-Ireland titles than any other county. But
the highlight of the year was undoubtedly Paul’s performance at the world event staged in Arnhem,
Holland. His three singles matchplay wins, at crucial times, were regarded as decisive and he
was the hero of Ireland’s prestigious win in an event that attracted teams from twelve countries
including Chile, Great Britain, Finland and several European countries. The team also included
Dublin’s Derek Courtney and Cork’s Ray Murphy, the country’s top ranked player.
But the Tipperary man was the only Irish player to remain undefeated, as he lost just 6 holes in 6
rounds. Ireland reached the final after a closely contested and exciting semi-final against Great Britain. Paul saved his best for
the final against Holland, when he was -8 for the first 13 holes, where he was 4 up. Playing down 15 he was still 4 up and word
had spread to him that his match could win the world cup for Ireland. His birdie opportunity was about 20 feet from the hole and
he duly obliged, placing the ball to within 6 inches of the hole, with his opponent conceding the putt.
25
Rugby: Niamh Briggs & Kate O’Loughlin (Clonmel)
Niamh Briggs and Kate O’Loughlin were capped for their country, played for their province and
enjoyed All-Ireland success during the course of a highly successful season for both ladies. They
were highly influential players on the Clonmel team that hit the ground running in the club’s first
season in the First Division of the All-Ireland League by winning the All-Ireland Cup. Clonmel
won the League’s Second Division the previous year and promotion represented a very big stepup, both physically and technically, for the club established 10 years previously. However their
hard work, commitment and dedication were fully rewarded when they won the All-Ireland Cup, a
fantastic achievement for a team participating at this level for the first time.
They lifted the trophy with an emphatic 21-5 win over a well-established Highfield team in the final
in Navan last March, and their victory march also included victories over Waterpark, Shannon and Cooke. The Clonmel team also
acquitted itself well in the League, finishing third behind eventual winners Blackrock and UL Bohemians. Niamh Briggs and
Kate O’Loughlin were two of four Clonmel players on the Munster side that won the inter-provincial crown, and they were also
recognised internationally. They were both capped in the opening match of the Six Nations, a win over Italy, and went on to win
further caps in the Six Nations and European Championships.
Soccer: Carrick United F.C.
The old saying that you have to lose one to win one certainly
rang true for Carrick United last year. Four years after a
heartbreaking defeat to Fairview Rangers in the Final, the
club at last reached the Holy Grail when they lifted the FAI
Junior Cup for the very first time. Their success was achieved
the hard way, which made it all the sweeter for players,
mentors and supporters alike. They beat the holders Killester
United 2-1 in the final at the RSC grounds in Waterford,
coming from a goal down at half time. Although they play in the Waterford League, United are very much a Tipperary club
and they became only the third team from the Premier County to win the blue riband trophy of Irish junior soccer, following in
the footsteps of St. Michael’s in 1974 and Clonmel Town in 1994. With upwards of 700 teams taking part, this is the largest
competition of its kind anywhere in Europe and reaches into nearly every local community in the country.
Carrick played eight matches up and down the country, surviving two penalty shoot outs along the way, before facing a highlyrated Castlebar Celtic in the semi-final at Ozier Park. A 3-1 win meant a return to Waterford for the final on May 3rd, when
their green and white clad supporters vastly outnumbered the fans who travelled from Dublin for the showpiece occasion. It
appeared that their luck was out when Carrick trailed by a goal at the break and then agonisingly missed a penalty 9 minutes
into the second half. But the team’s character shone through in the face of adversity. They never gave up and fortune favoured
the brave when they grabbed a 74th minute equaliser with an own goal, before half-time substitute Alan Ryan kept a cool head
to win it for United with a stoppage time penalty.
Back Row (left to right) Brian Barry, Eoin Burke, Stephen Hahessy, Anthony Power,Adrain Walsh, Thomas Fitgerald, Alan
Redmond, Richard Lawrance, Anthony O Donnell. Front Row (left to right) Glen Keane, Barry Murphy, Wayne Fitzgerald, Daryl
Kavanagh, Ian Clery, Alan Ryan, John Walsh, Keith Walsh, James Walsh.
26
Sean Lyons Sports Executive Award: Martin Fennessy (Clonmel).
It’s no exaggeration to suggest that Martin Fennessy has been one of those people responsible for
the phenomenal progress made by Clonmel Boxing Club since its foundation in 1995. Martin has
coached several of those stars whose exploits, including winning several Munster and All-Ireland
titles and wearing the Irish singlet in international competition, have made the club one of the
strongest in the country. Last year’s Irish Senior Amateur Championships at the National Stadium
were a proud occasion for Martin, who coached two of the Clonmel boxers – Con Sheehan, who
won the heavyweight crown, and his son Kevin Fennessy. He is also a coach with the Irish high
performance team who train at weekends at the National Stadium in Dublin. He has served as an
international coach at schoolboy, youth, junior and senior level.
He has travelled to numerous countries as a coach with Irish teams in several competitions, including European Championships.
Martin holds a diploma in refereeing/judging and last year received his European badge as a referee/judge. He has also acted
as referee and judge at the senior championships on several occasions. Despite his national profile in the sport, he remains
committed to his home town club and it’s his ambition to have a custom-built boxing club in Clonmel. Martin is now the third
generation of the Fennessy family to receive the Tipperary United Sports Panel award. His father Bernie won the award for
weightlifting while his son Kevin was twice honoured for boxing.
The Knocknagow Award
Denis ‘Sonny’ O’Gorman Thurles
The Knocknagow Award, which each year honours a noted
sportsperson of the past, is presented this year to a Thurles
athlete whose eventful career took him across Europe in the
1950s and 1960s.
While living in the Greater London area, Denis ‘Sonny’ O’Gorman
represented Great Britain at the Olympic Games in Rome in 1960,
when he finished 16th in the marathon.
Earlier that year, in a marathon in Liverpool, he ran what was
clocked at the time as the fourth fastest time in history for the
26 mile event.
In 1959 he finished second to world record holder Sergey Popov
at the Kosice marathon in Czechoslovakia, as he displayed the
encouraging form that saw him become an Olympian twelve
months later.
He only made his debut over that long distance earlier that year,
winning the Polytechnic Marathon from Windsor to Chiswick.
Not surprisingly for a Thurles man, ‘Sonny’ had played hurling with
Sarsfields in the forties. But he found his true sporting niche when
he emigrated to England in 1946, where he served with the RAF
and then worked as a nurse before settling in a job at the De
Havilland aircraft factory in Hatfield, London.
He joined the St. Alban’s Athletic Club in 1952 and was
disappointed to be left out of the Irish team for the 1956 Olympics
in Melbourne, although he eventually realised his Olympic
ambitions four years later.
He proved his talent at other distances and in 1955 he set Irish
records for the 3, 4 and 6 miles events on the track.
In 1958 he broke the British Empire record for 15 miles on the
track with a time of 1 hour, 17 minutes and 10 seconds, and a
year later represented Ireland at an international cross-country
championship in Lisbon.
Three years earlier he had the distinction of being the first Irish
finisher at an international cross-country championship in San
Sebastian.
27
1975 Sports Stars: back row, left to right: Tadhg O’Connor, Timmy Hally, Sean Kelly, Bernie Fennessy, Dick Fallon, Tom Morrissey, Eddie Farrell, Representative Clonmel Rowing Club,
Eddie Webster; front row, left to right: Ned Shea, Mary Luby, Bill Hyland (chairman), Hubert Burke (Mayor of Clonmel), Digby Walsh (Bulmers Ltd.), Eleanor Carroll, Tommy Treacy.
28
The United Sports Panel Award Winners 1959-2008
1959
Camogie: Terry Griffin (Roscrea); Soccer: Pat Ward (Cahir); Table tennis: Kevin Pyke (Hillview); Sports
Executive: Bill Hyland (Clonmel A. & C.C.); Athletics: Jack Lalor (Carrick); Cycling: Johnny Gearon (Clonmel);
Hurling: John Doyle (Holycross-Ballycahill); Boxing: Liam Ralph (Thurles); Basketball: Phil Fanning (Clonmel);
Gaelic Football: Leo Dooley (Roscrea).
1960
Athletics: Jack Lalor (Carrick); Basketball: Timmy O’Dwyer (Clonmel); Hurling: Theo English (Marlfield);
Camogie: Kitty O’Flaherty (Cahir); Handball: Con and Tom Cleere (Nenagh); Gaelic Football: Tony Newport
(Fethard); Cycling: Patsy Wall (Carrick-on-Suir); Soccer: Mick Boyle (Cahir); Table Tennis: Kevin Pyke
(Clonmel); Pitch & Putt: Liam Daly (Clonmel).
1961
Hurling: Liam Devaney (Borrisoleigh); Handball: John Cleary (Tipperary); Pitch and Putt: Eoin Morrissey
(Clonmel); Gaelic Football: Babs Keating (Ardfinnan); Cycling: Patsy Wall (Carrick); Athletics: Liam F.
Gleeson (Nenagh); Camogie: Honor Flynn (Tipperary).
1962
Hurling: Donie Nealon (Burgess); Gaelic Football: Babs Keating (Ardfinnan); Weight-Lifting: John Kirwan (Clonmel);
Camogie: Nora Foley (Elmville); Cycling: Patsy Wall (Carrick); Athletics: Hugh O’Callaghan (Clonmel); Sports
Executive: Gerry Doyle (Thurles); Handball: Paddy Hickey (Clogheen) Knocknagow Award: J. J. Ryan (Tipperary).
1963
Hurling: Michael Maher (Holycross); Gaelic Football: Babs Keating (Ardfinnan); Sports Executive: Tommy
Ryan (Clonmel); Cycling: John Lonergan (Ballylooby); Handball: Paddy Hickey (Clogheen); Athletics: Hugh
O’Callaghan (Clonmel); Camogie: Kathleen Griffin (Roscrea); Soccer: Denis Halpin (Cahir); Knocknagow
Award: Martin Kennedy (Toomevara).
1964
Hurling: Tony Wall (Thurles Sarsfields); Gaelic Football: Paddy Dawson (Emly); Sports Executive: Kitty
O’Flaherty (Cahir); Camogie: Anne Carroll (Ballintaggart); Boxing: Robert Redmond (Clonmel); Athletics:
Hugh O’Callaghan (Clonmel); Cycling: John Lonergan (Ballylooby); Weightlifting: Frank Rothwell (Clonmel);
Knocknagow Award: Tommy O’Keeffe (Clonmel).
1965
Athletics: Michael Hickey (Dundrum A.C.); Boxing: Nicky Butler (Carrick-on-Suir); Camogie: Anne Carroll
(St. Patrick’s); Cycling: Johnny Lonergan (Clonmel A. & C.C.); Gaelic Football: Paddy O’Connell (Clonmel
Commercials); Hurling: John McKenna (Borrisokane); Soccer: Buddy Anderson (Clonmel); Sports Executive:
John Moloney (Galtee Rovers); Weightlifting: Frank Rothwell (Clonmel); Knocknagow Award: Johnny Healy
(Clonmel).
29
1982 Presentation Knocknagow Award winner, Bob Tisdall, by Davy Hallinan
30
1975 Presentation: back row, left to right: Seamus O’Doherty, Ted Dillon, Sean Barlow, Michael O’Meara, Liam
Delahunty, Sean Lyons; front row, left to right: Johnny Ryan, John Boyle, Hubert Burke (Mayor of Clonmel), Bill
Hyland (Chairman), Bill O’Brien, Ken Hogan.
1966
Athletics: Liam Gleeson (Nenagh); Boxing: Bobbie Redmond (Ferryhouse); Camogie: Anne Carroll (St.
Patrick’s); Gaelic Football: Michael Keating (Ardfinnan); Handball: Paddy Hickey (Burncourt); Hurling: Mick
Roche (Carrick Davins); Soccer: Andy Hogan (Clonmel Bohemians); Sports Executive: F. W. C. Ruthledge
(Tipperary); Knocknagow Award: Joe Butler (Cahir).
1967
Athletics: Michael O’Sullivan; Ladies Athletics: Kathleen Leane (Thurles); Boxing: Noel Connors (Thurles);
Golf: John Carey (Roscrea); Hurling: Len Gaynor (Kilraune MacDonaghs); Soccer: Marty Hogan (Tipperary);
Sports Executive: Liam Delahunty (Clonmel); Weightlifting: Frank Rothwell (Clonmel); Knocknagow
Award: John Ayres (Nenagh).
1968
Ladies Athletics: Nuala Bowe (Moycarkey-Borris AC); Men’s Athletics: Mick Hickey (Dundrum A.C.); Boxing:
Jimmy Connors (Thurles BC); Cycling: Tony Ryan (Carrick Wheelers); Camogie: Beatrice Lawrence (Elmville); Gaelic
Football: Johnny Cummins (Ardfinnan); Handball: Paddy Hickey (Clogheen) and Connie Cleere (Nenagh); Hurling:
Mick Roche (Carrick Davins); Rugby: Johnny Moroney (London-Irish); Soccer: Tom O’Flaherty (Clonmel Bohemians);
Sports Executive: Rev. Bro. J. C. Joyce (Nenagh CBS); Knocknagow Award: Dr. Paddy Stokes (Fethard).
1969
Ladies Athletics: Emily Hallinan (Newcastle A.C.); Men’s Athletics: Christy Maher (Golden A.C.); Boxing:
Frank Cahill (Mullinahone BC); Camogie: Sally Long (Thurles CC); Cycling: John Lonergan (Carrick Wheelers
CC); Gaelic Football: Mick Byrnes (Lattin-Cullen); Handball: Pat Davin (Kickham Barrack, Clonmel); Hurling:
Jimmy Doyle (Thurles Sarsfields); Soccer: Eddie O’Dwyer (St. Michael’s, Tipperary); Sports Executive: John
Moloney (Galtee Rovers); Knocknagow Award: Edward Beary (Clonmel).
1970
Athletics: Liam Spooner (Premier AC); Boxing: Bobby Redmond (Ferryhouse); Camogie: Margaret Cleary
(Thurles); Cycling: Johnny Lonergan (Carrick Wheelers CC); Gaelic Football: Michael Keating (Ardfinnan);
Handball: Willie Fitzgibbon (Tipperary); Hurling: Francis Loughnane (Roscrea); Soccer: Eddie Anderson (Clonmel);
Weightlifting: Frank Rothwell (Clonmel); Sports Executive: Stephen Waters (Mullinahone BC); Knocknagow
Award: Jim Ryan (Loughmore), Jim Moran (Mullinahone), Mick Nolan (Mullinahone), Dick Lanigan (Grangemockler),
Mick Tobin (Grangemockler), Bill Ryan (Castleiney), Ned Cummins (Fethard), Tom Ryan (Clogheen).
1971
Ladies Athletics: Margaret Crosse (Donohill); Men’s Athletics: Dessie O’Connor (Tipperary); Badminton:
Kathleen Marks (Roscrea); Boxing: Eddie Madden (Mullinahone); Gaelic Football: Michael Keating (Ardfinnan);
Handball: Paddy Hickey (Clogheen); Hurling: Michael Keating (Ballybacon-Grange); Soccer: D. D. Cremins
(Tipperary); Sports Executive J. P. McGowan (Clonmel); Knocknagow Award: Joe Bergin (Nenagh).
1972
Ladies Athletics: Freddie Cooney (St. Anthony’s AC); Men’s Athletics: Pat Healy (Coolcroo); Badminton
(Mick Craddock (Thurles); Cycling: Sean Kelly (Carrick Wheelers Road Club); Clay Pigeon Shooting: Tony
Sheehan (Killusty); Gaelic Football: Jim Kehoe (Kilsheelan); Handball: Paddy Hickey (Clogheen & Connie
Cleere (Nenagh); Hurling: Francis Loughnane (Roscrea); Soccer: Seanie Hogan (Clonmel Bohemians); Sports
Executive: Seamus Doherty (Premier); Knocknagow Award: Ned Tobin (Ballylooby).
31
Some of the 1975 Stars: back row, left to right: Eddie Anderson, Willie Fitzgibbon, J. Cronin for Frank Rothwell, Michael ‘Babs’ Keating, Bobby Redmond, Johnny Lonergan, Bill O’Brien
(chairman, U.S.P.); front row, left to right: Francis Loughnane, Margaret Cleary, John Kelly (MD, Bulmers), P. J. Powell (Mayor of Clonmel), Liam Spooner, Very Rev. Philip Noonan P.P.
Mullinahone, representing Steven Waters.
32
1973
Ladies Athletics: Freddie Cooney (St. Anthony’s AC); Men’s Athletics: Liam Gleeson: Nenagh Olympic AC);
Badminton: Tony Fox (Terryglass BC); Cycling: Sean Kelly (Carrick Wheelers Road Club); Gaelic Football:
Eddie Webster (Loughmore-Castleiney); Handball: Willie Fitzgibbon (Tipperary); Hurling: Francis Loughnane
(Roscrea); Soccer: Maurice Slater (Waterford AFC); Sports Executive: Rev. Nicholas Power (St. Mary’s,
Clonmel); Knocknagow Award: Paddy Ormonde (Ballyporeen).
1974
Ladies Athletics, Freddie Cooney (Kilfeacle); Men’s Athletics: Liam Hennessy (Cappawhite); Badminton:
Paddy Doyle (Thurles); Cycling: Sean Kelly (Carrick Wheelers); Gaelic Football: Eamonn O’Gorman (Ardfinnan);
Ladies Football: Lilian Gorey (Drangan); Golf: Arthur Pierce (Tipperary); Handball: Tony Ryan (Ballypatrick);
Hurling: Jimmy Doyle (Thurles Sarsfields); ; Pitch & Putt: Nora Daly (Clonmel); Soccer: J. J., O’Dwyer
(Tipperary); Sports Executive: Frank Kent (Clonmel); Volleyball: Mary Morrissey (Fethard); Knocknagow
Award: Tommy O’Brien (Clonmel).
1975
Ladies Athletics: Mary Looby (Tipperary Town AC); Men’s Athletics: Dick Fallon (Fethard); Cycling: Sean
Kelly (Carrick Wheelers); Gaelic Football: Eddie Webster (Loughmore-Castleiney); Handball: Tom Morrissey
& Eddie Farrell (St. Mary’s); Hurling: Tadhg O’Connor (Roscrea); Ladies Football: Eleanor Carroll (Ardfinnan);
Rowing: Clonmel Maiden Fours Crew (Seamus Conway, stroke); Soccer: Timmy Hally (Clonmel Bohemians);
Sports Executive: Ned O’Shea (St, Mary’s); Weightlifting: Bernie Fennessy (Clonmel); Knocknagow Award:
Tommy Treacy (Illeigh)
1976
Ladies Athletics: Nora O’Grady (Nenagh); Men’s Athletics: Pat Fallon (Fethard); Cycling: Bobby Power
(Carrick-on-Suir); Gaelic Football: Vincent O’Donnell (Bansha); Golf: Arthur Pierce (Tipperary); Handball:
Tony Ryan (Ballypatrick); Hurling: Joe Hogan (Roscrea); Equestrian: John Watson (Clonmel); Sculling:
Dermot Wall (Clonmel); Soccer: Eamon O’Meara (Nenagh); Tennis: Cyril Murphy (Clonmel); Sports Executive:
Bro. M. V. O’Grady (Cashel); Knocknagow Award: John Joe Barry (The Commons).
1977
Ladies Athletics: Nora O’Grady (Nenagh AC); Men’s Athletics: Dick Fallon (Clonmel AC); Cycling: Bobby
Power (Carrick Wheelers CC); Gaelic Football: Gene McGrath (Commercials); Golf: Arthur Pierce (Tipperary);
Handball: Tony Ryan (Ballypatrick); Hurling: Jim Kehoe (Carrick Swan); Pitch and Putt: Joan Fogarty
(Hillview); Soccer: Sean Kiely (Clonmel Town); Sports Executive: Joe Holden (Clonmel AC) Weightlifting:
Tony Collins (Clonmel); Knocknagow Award: Mick Cahill (Mullinahone).
1978
Ladies Athletics: Noelle Morrissey (Nenagh AC); Men’s Athletics: Anthony Barrett (Killenaule); Camogie:
Kay Maxwell (Presentation Convent, Cashel) Cycling: Bobby Power (Carrick Wheelers CC); Equestrian: John
Watson (Clonmel); Darts: Sean Norris (Clonmel); Gaelic Football: Sean Moloney (Fethard); Golf: Clonmel
Junior Cup Team; Handball: Tony Ryan (Ballypatrick); Hurling: Jim Keogh (Silvermines); Soccer: Simon
Sunderland (Clonmel Town); Sports Executive: Sean Naughton (Nenagh); Weightlifting: Bernie Fennessy
(Clonmel); Knocknagow Award: Eddie Cantwell (Clonmel).
33
Picture taken at presentation of sponsorship by Bulmers’ Ltd. for this year’s Annerville Awards presentation to the
United Sports Panel. Left to right: Richie Blanche, vice-chairman, United Sports Panel, Aidan Murphy, Managing
Director, Bulmer’s Ltd, Johnny O’Loughlin, United Sports Panel.
34
1999 Knocknagow Award: Hurling Team of the Century members, Tony Reddin, Jimmy Doyle, Jimmy Finn and
John Doyle.
1979
Ladies Athletics: Margaret Crosse (Donohill); Men’s Athletics: Tommy Moloney (Thurles); Camogie: Deirdre
Delaney (Ballycommon); Equestrian: John Watson (Clonmel); Golf: Arthur Pierce (Tipperary); Handball: Noel
& Tony Ryan (Ballypatrick); Hurling: Pat McLoughney (Shannon Rovers); Soccer: Sean Kiely (Clonmel); Sports
Executive: Tony Smith (Rockwell College); Knocknagow Award: Jenny O’Donnell (Kilsheelan).
1980
Ladies Athletics: Noelle Morrissey (Nenagh); Men’s Athletics: Denis Finnerty (Nenagh); Badminton: Con
Redican (Monard & Golden); Camogie: Maureen Maher (Templemore); Cycling: Tony Ryan (Carrick Wheelers
ICF); Gaelic Football: Michael Beston (Clogheen); Golf: Arthur Pierce (Tipperary); Handball: Tony Ryan
(Ballypatrick); Hurling: Jim Maher (Loughmore-Castleiney); Ladies Football: Josephine Burke (Castleiney);
Rowing: Paul McGrath (Clonmel); Shooting: Nicholas Cooney (Tipperary); Soccer: Paddy Ryan (Clonmel);
Sports Executive: Liam Hennessy (Cappawhite); Weightlifting: Tony Collins (Clonmel); Knocknagow
Award: Surviving Members of Triple Crown Team 1930.
1981
Ladies Athletics: Noelle Morrissey (Nenagh Olympic); Men’s Athletics: Jim Sheehan (Nenagh Olympic);
Cycling: Larry Power (Carrick Cidona Wheelers); Gaelic Football: Seamus McCarthy (Galtee Rovers);
Handball: Pakie Mullins (Clonmel HC); Hurling: Pat Fox (Eire Óg); Pitch & Putt: Tipperary Inter-County Team;
Soccer: Billy Lambe (Old Bridge AFA); Sports Executive: P. J. Kenny (Carrick-on-Suir); Weightlifting: Tony
Collins (Clonmel WLC); Knocknagow Award: Michael Phelan (Clonmel).
1982
Ladies Athletics: Carmel Maher (Nenagh); Men’s Athletics: John Fitzgerald (Clonmel); Boxing: Noel Guiry
(Mullinahone); Cycling: Carrick Cidona Wheelers; Gaelic Football: Paudie O’Neill (Commercials); Golf: Arthur
Pierce (Tipperary); Handball: Tony Ryan (Ballypatrick); Hurling: John Flanagan (Moycarkey-Borris); Soccer:
P. J. O’Reilly (Clonmel Town); Sports Executive: Mick Tyrell (Clonmel); Powerlifting: Tony Collins (Clonmel);
Knocknagow Award: Dr. Pat O’Callaghan and Bob Tisdall.
1983
Athletics: Mary Martin (Tipperary); Boxing: Noel Guiry (Mullinahone); Cycling: Stephen Spratt (Cidona
Wheelers); Gaelic Football: Pat McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney); Handball: Tony Ryan (Ballypatrick);
Hurling: Nicky English (Lattin-Cullen); Powerlifting: Bernie Fennessy (Clonmel); Rugby: Rory Moroney
(Clonmel); Soccer: Michael Bennett (Waterford FC); Sports Executive: Michael Guinan (Killenaule AC);
Knocknagow Award: Jimmy Smith (Clonmel).
1984
Athletics: Jacqueline Stokes (Fethard); Camogie: Deirdre Lane (Celtic, Dublin); Cycling: Anthony O’Gorman
(Cidona Carrick Wheelers); Gaelic Football: The County Minor Football Team; Handball: Kevin Mullins
(Clonmel & John O’Donoghue (Cashel); Hurling: John McIntyre (Lorrha); Rugby: Rory Moroney (Landsdowne);
Soccer: Kevin Kelly (Carrick-on-Suir); Sports Executive: Fr. Pierce Duggan (Upperchurch); Weightlifting:
Michael Collins (Clonmel PWLC); Knocknagow Award: Paddy Cummins (Clonmel).
1985
Athletics: Tommy Moloney (Thurles Crokes AC); Boxing: Brendan St. John (Mullinahone AC); Cycling: Stephen
Spratt (Cidona Carrick Wheelers); Gaelic Football: Willie Crowe (Arravale Rovers); Golf: Clonmel GC – Jimmy
Bruen Shield Winners; Handball: John O’Donoghue (Cashel HC); Hurling: Nicky English (Lattin-Cullen);
Rallying: Frank Meagher (Cloneen); Soccer: Michael Grace (St. Michael’s); Sports Executive: Billy Kennedy
(Cidona Carrick Wheelers); Knocknagow Award: Surviving Members of County Senior Football Team 1935).
35
Kaiffe Moloney (Cashel) winner of the Camogie award in 1991, surrounded by her family and friends at the presentation dinner. Back row, left to right: Billy Tarrant, Jovita Delaney,
Jimmy Phillips, Seamus Murphy, Tom Devitt, Betty Devitt, Anne Marie Fitzgerald, Josie Moloney, Pat Connolly, Deirdre Ivors, Helen Hanley, Joe Graham, John Joe Hanley, Ann Lonergan,
Thomas Lonergan, Evelyn Quirke, Martin Quirke; middle row, left to right: Johnny ‘Boy’ Moloney, Deirdre Lacey, Biddy Phillips, Timmy Moloney, Marian Graham, Antoinette Donnelly;
front row, left to right: Ken O’Connell, Tricia Moloney, Kaiffe Moloney, Timmy Moloney, Chrissie Quirke, Maureen Hanley, William Hanley, Eileen Hanley, Tom Hanley.
36
1986
Athletics: Tommy Moloney (Thurles Crokes); Badminton: Michael O’Meara (Nenagh); Cycling: Anthony O’Gorman
(Bianconi Wheelers, Clonmel); Equestrian: Eamon Hickey (Clonmel); Gaelic Football: John Owens (Moyle Rovers);
Hurling: Bobby Ryan (Borrisoleigh); Motor Sport: Frank Meagher (Cloneen); Soccer: Billy Byrne (Clonmel Town
AFC); Sports Executive: Mick McCarthy (Moyle Rovers); Knocknagow Award: Tommy Doyle (Thurles Sarsfields).
1987
Athletics: Tom Moloney (Thurles Crokes); Badminton: Louise Hackett (Hillview); Cycling: Anthony O’Gorman
(Clonmel); Equestrian: Eamon Hickey (Clonmel); Gaelic Football: Pat McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney);
Handball: Eddie Corbett (Ballyporeen); Hurling: Conor O’Donovan (Eire Óg, Nenagh); Pitch & Putt:
Breda Lonergan (Tipperary Hills); Sports Executive: Paddy Doyle; Soccer: Martin Quinlivan (Waterford);
Knocknagow Award: Paddy Fahey (Coolcroo).
1988
Athletics: Terry McHugh (Nenagh & DCH); Badminton: Aidan Fogarty (Cashel);Cycling: Anthony O’Gorman
(Clonmel); Gaelic Football: Willie O’Meara (Fethard); Golf: Jimmy Bruen Winners (Clonmel Golf Club);
Handball: Billy McCarthy (Clonmel); Hurling: Ken Hogan (Lorrha); Pitch & Putt: Eddie Lonergan (Tipperary
Hills); Soccer: Stephen Napier (Clonmel); Sports Executive: Joe Mernagh (Dundrum); Rugby: John Lillis
(Thurles RFC); Knocknagow Award: William ‘Bunny’ Lambe (Clonmel).
1989
Athletics: John Fitzgerald (Clonmel AC); Cycling: Denise White (Killy’s Tipperary CC); Gaelic Football: John
Costello (Cahir); Golf: Nenagh Golf Club; Handball: Billy McCarthy & Noel Ryan (Clonmel); Hurling: Pat Fox
(Eire Óg); Judo: Valerie Colville (Fethard); Ladies Football: Ann Fitzpatrick (Ballymacarbery); Raquetball:
Teresa Kennedy (Templederry); Soccer: Seamus Strappe (Clonmel & Shelbourne); Sports Executive: Babs
Keating, Donie Nealon, Theo English. Knocknagow Award: Paddy Berkery (Landsdowne & Ireland).
1990
Athletics: John Fitzgerald (Clonmel AC); Camogie: Jovita Delaney (Cashel); Canine Sports: Donal O’Sullivan
(Clogheen); Deep Sea Angling: Des O’Connell (Killenaule); Gaelic Football: Franny Kelly (Commercials);
Handball: John O’Donoghue & Eddie Corbett (Cashel & Ballyporeen); Hurling: Michael Cleary (Eire Óg,
Nenagh); Pitch & Putt: County Ladies team; Racquetball: Michael Ryan (Tipperary Town; Rugby: Tony Cooney
(Kilfeacle RFGC); Soccer: Louis Coen (Killusty); Sports Executive: John McNamara (Commercials); Tennis:
Eddie Grimson (Hillview); Knocknagow Award: Bill Ryan (Laha).
1991
Athletics: Terry McHugh (Dublin City Harriers); Camogie: Kaiffe Moloney (Cashel); Cycling: Robert
Power (Cidona Carrick Wheelers); Equestrian Sports: Olivia Holohan (Killusty); Golf: Pierce Purcell Team
(Nenagh Golf Club); Handball: John O’Donoghue & Eddie Corbett (Cashel & Ballyporeen); Hurling: John
Leahy (Mullinahone); Racquetball: Bobbi Brennan (Fethard); Soccer: Michael Grace (St. Michael’s); Sports
Executive: Sean Naughton (Nenagh Olympics); Knocknagow Award: Tom Healy (Coolcroo).
1992
Athletics: Neil Ryan (Nenagh Olympic AC); Badminton: Aidan Fogarty (Cashel); Camogie: Deirdre Hughes
(Toomevara); Cycling: Michael Fitzgerald (Clonmel Cycling Club); Gaelic Football: Peter Lambert (Nemo Rangers);
Handball: David Moloney (Cashel); Hurling: George Friend (Toomevara); Motor Sport: Frank Meagher (Cloneen);
Racquetball: Christy Slattery (Templedery); Rugby: Kilfeacle Rugby Football Club; Soccer: Cyril Conran (Clonmel
Town); Sports Executive: Bobby O’Brien (Thurles RFC); Knocknagow Award: Johnny Ryan (Moycarkey Borris).
37
2003 Knocknagow Award winner, Theo English with Eamonn Wynne, United Sports Panel, Mayor of Clonmel, Phil
Prendergast, and Brendan McGuinness, Managing Director, Bulmer's Ltd.
38
1988 Badminton Award winner,
Aiden Fogarty (Cashel)
1984 Handball Award winners
John O'Donoghue (Cashel) with his uncle Michael Morrissey.
1993
Athletics: Terry McHugh (Dublin City Harriers); Camogie: Mandy Quigley (Roscrea); Cycling: Michael Woods
(Cidona Carrick Wheelers); Gaelic Football: Brian Burke (Fethard); Handball: Eddie Corbett (Ballyporeen);
Hurling: Michael Ryan (Upperchurch-Drombane); Pitch & Putt: Tipp Men’s Intercounty Senior Team;
Racquetball: Bobbi Holohan (Killusty); Rowing: Conor Fennessy (Clonmel RC); Rugby: Thurles Rugby Football
Club; Soccer: Cyril Conran (Clonmel Town); Sports Executive: Michael Guinan (St. Catherine’s AC); Volleyball:
Presentation Senior A Team (Clonmel); Knocknagow Award: Edmund ‘Bunny’ O’Reilly (Clanwilliam RFC).
1994
Athletics: Michael Hassett (St. Catherine’s AC); Badminton: Eimear Holohan (Killenaule BC); Gaelic Football:
Philly Ryan (Commercials); Golf: Paul Byrne (Nenagh GC); Gymnastics: Mellisa Walsh (Clonmel Olympic Club);
Handball: Eddie Corbett (Ballyporeen); Hurling: Jodie Grace (Toomevara); Pitch & Putt: Brian Webster (Cashel);
Rugby: Noel O’Meara (Young Munster RFC); Soccer: FAI Junior Cup Champions (Clonmel Town FC); Sports
Executive: Tommy Lewis (Tipperary Southern and District League); Swimming: Marie Barry (Dolphin SC)
Volleyball: Presentation Senior A Team (Clonmel); Knocknagow Award: Michael Dwan (Ballylooby & Dublin).
1995
Athletics: St. Catherine’s AC (Killenaule); Cycling: Michael Fitzgerald (Cidona Carrick Wheelers CC); Gaelic Football:
Derek Foley (Moyle Rovers); Golf: Dunhill Golf team (Cahir Park GC); Gymnastics: Mellisa Walsh (Clonmel Olympic
Club); Handball: Carol Moloney (Cashel); Hockey: Ursuline Senior A Team (Thurles); Hurling: Kevin Tucker (Nenagh
Eire Óg); Motor Sports: Frank Meagher (Cloneen); Pitch & Putt: Tipp Men’s Senior Intercounty Team); Rugby:
Pakie Hallissey (Kilfeacle RFC); Soccer: Yvonne Lyons (Ballyneale & Benefica LFC); Sports Executive: Michael
O’Meara (Clonmel); Snooker: Tom Gleeson (Nenagh); Knocknagow Award: Willie Wall (Carrick Swans).
1996
Athletics: Gerry Ryan (Nenagh Olympic AC); Badminton: Brian Fogarty (Cashel); Basketball: Niamh O’Dwyer
(Presentation Convent, Thurles); Gaelic Football (Declan Browne (Moyle Rovers); Golf: Jimmy Bruen Team
(Thurles GC); Hockey: Ursuline Senior A Team (Thurles); Hurling: County Minor Hurling All-Ireland Champions;
Rowing: Audrey Phelan (Thurles & U.C.D.); Rugby: Brian Carey (Blackrock, Connaght & Clonmel); Soccer: Ollie
Cahill; Sports Executive: Sean Lyons (Clonmel); Swimming: Loreto Secondary School Team (Clonmel); Tennis:
Kieran Lovell (Rosanna Club, Tipperary); Knocknagow Award: Tony Reddan (Lorrha).
1997
Athletics: Gerry Ryan (Nenagh Olympic AC); Badminton: Tipperary Intercounty Team; Basketball: Kieran Quinn
(Cappawhite); Camogie: Noelle Kennedy (Toomevara); Cycling: Ray Clarke (Premier CC, Clonmel); Gaelic Football:
Willie Morrissey (Fethard); Golf: Pearse Purcell Shield All-Ireland Mixed Foursomes (Thurles G.C.); Handball: Jackie
Keating & Carol Moloney (Cashel); Hockey: Ursuline Senior A Team (Thurles); Hurling: Declan Ryan (ClonoultyRossmore); Rugby: Alan Quinlan (Clanwilliam & Shannon); Snooker: Brendan O’Donoghue (Nenagh); Soccer:
Stephen O’Neill (Clonmel Town FC); Sports Executive: John Freeman (Thurles); Swimming: Natalie Clooney
(Olympic SC, Clonmel); Knocknagow Award: Jimmy Reardon (St. Mary’s, Donore AC & Villanova, N.Y.)
1998
Athletics: Orla Power (Carrick AC; Badminton: Brian Fogarty (Cashel); Basketball: Niamh O’Dwyer (Presentation,
Thurles); Boxing: Stephen O’Brien (Mullinahone); Gaelic Football: Declan Browne; Golf: Perase Purcell Team (Nenagh
GC); Gymnastics: Paula Dempsey & Christina Brunnock (Cahir) and Caitriona Cahill (Clonmel); Handball: Daragh Lyons
(Clogheen) & Michael John Meany (Ballyporeen); Horse Racing: Seamus Durack (Clogheen); Hurling: Tommy Dunne
(Toomevara); Rugby: Frank Roche (Thurles RFC); Sports Executive: Seamus McCarthy (Bansha); Soccer: Ollie Cahill
(Cork City FC); Tennis: Clodagh McMurrough (Tipperary); Knocknagow Award: Sean Cleary (Commercials).
39
Pictured at the 33rd presentation of the Cidona Awards at the Clonmel Arms Hotel in 1998 were, from left, Noelle Kennedy,
Toomevara, Camogie; Brendan O’Donoghue, Nenagh, Snooker; Jimmy Reardon, St. Mary’s, Donore A.C. and Villanova, New
York, Athletics, the Knocknagow Award winner; Margaret Ryan, representing Hockey Award winners, the Ursuline Convent
Senior A team, Thurles; and Gary Ryan, Nenagh Olympics, the athletics winner.
40
Gaelic footballer Pakie Brennan, Ardfinnan and Geraldines GAA Club,receives the 2001 Knocknagow Award from Brendan
McGuinness, managing director of Bulmers. Also pictured is the Mayor of Clonmel Cllr. Sean Nyhan.
1999
Athletics: Tom Coman (Templemore SC); Boxing: Robert Ryan (Mullinahone); Camogie: Tipperary Senior Team
All-Ireland Champions; Gaelic Football (Liam Cronin (Moyle Rovers); Golf: All-Ireland Mixed Foursomes Team
(Templemore GC); Horse Racing: Paul Moloney (Lagganstown) & Philip Fenton (Ballynonty); Hurling: Tommy
Dunne (Toomevara); Power-Lifting: Francis McGivney (Clonmel); Racquetball: Joan Kennedy (Nenagh);
Rowing: Paul Fennessy & Brendan Wall (Clonmel RC); Rugby: John Fogarty (Cashel & Cork Con); Soccer:
Michael Grace (St. Michael’s); Sports Executive: Biddy Phillips (Thurles); Knocknagow Award: Team of the
Century Members, John Doyle, Jimmy Doyle, Jimmy Finn, Tony Reddan..
2000
Athletics: Tom Coman (Templemore AC); Basketball: Presentation Secondary School (Thurles); Boxing:
Jonathon Shaw (Clonmel); Camogie: Jovita Delaney (Cashel); Equestrian: Kevin Babington (Carrick & New
Jersey); Gaelic Football: Moyle Rovers; Handball: Gerard Coonan (Ballina HC); Hurling: Brendan Cummins
(Ballybacon Grange); Pitch & Putt: Jason McNamara (Hillview); Racquetball: Joan Kennedy (Dolla RC); Rugby:
Nenagh Ormond; Soccer: Kevin O’Sullivan (St. Michael’s); Sports Executive: Tommy Wade (Gooldscross);
Tennis: Clodagh McMorrow (Tipperary); Knocknagow Award: Jimmy Hannon (Coolcroo AC).
2001
Athletics: Mandy Crowe (Bansha); Basketball: Scoil Ruain Team (Killenaule); Camogie: Tipperary County
Senior Team; Cycling: Gavin Pyke (Clonmel); Equestrian: Kevin Babington (Carrick); Gaelic Football: Willie
Morrissey (Fethard); Golf: Thurles Golf Club; Hurling: Tommy Dunne (Toomevara); Motor Sport: Donie Keating
(Cahir); Rowing: Andy Ryan & Paul Nugent (Clonmel RC); Rugby: Rockwell Senior Team; Sailing: Peter Bayly
& William Atkinson (Lough Derg YC); Soccer: Peake Villa (Thurles); Sports Executive: Tom Fennessy (Clonmel
RC); Swimming: Will Carey (Nenagh); Tennis: Clodagh McMorrow (Tipperary); Knocknagow Award: Pake
Brennan (Geraldines).
2002
Athletics: Margaret Danagher (Templemore AC); Basketball: Dearbhla Breen (UL); Boxing: Kevin Fennessy
(Clonmel BC); Camogie: Una O’Dwyer (Cashel); Cycling: Cidona Carrick Wheelers; Gaelic Football: Declan
Browne (Moyle Rovers); Golf: Marian Riordan (Tipperary); Handball: Gerard Coonan (Ballina HC); Hockey:
Suzanne O’Connor (Cashel); Horse Racing: David Cross (Clonoulty); Hurling: Paul Kelly (Mullinahone); Ladies
Football: County Junior Team; Martial Arts: Kayleigh Tynan (Nenagh); Raquetball: Joan Kennedy (Dolla RC);
Rugby: Denis Leamy (Cashel RFC); Soccer: James Walsh (St. Michaels FC); Sports Executive: Michael Cleary
(Nenagh); Knocknagow Award: Jimmy Butler Coffey (Newport).
2003
Athletics: Templemore AC; Basketball: Grainne O’Dwyer (Presentation, Thurles); Boxing: Clonmel Boxing
Club; Camogie: Eimear McDonnell (Burgess); Cycling: Raymond Clarke (Cycleways, Dublin); Gaelic Football:
Cahir; Horse Racing: Alan Crowe (Bansha); Handball: Fergal Collins (Ballina); Hurling: Brendan Cummins
(Ballybacon-Grange); Snooker: Brendan O’Donoghue (Nenagh SC); Soccer: Kevin Blanche (Clonmel Town FC);
Sean Lyons Sports Executive Award: Martin O’Loughlin (Cidona Carrick Wheelers); Knocknagow Award:
Theo English (Marlfield).
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Pictured at the presentation of the 2002 Cidona Awards at the Clonmel Arms Hotel in January 2003 were, from
left, Denis Leamy, Cashel RFC, Rugby; Maura Cross, representing her son, David Cross, Clonoulty, Horseracing;
and the Handball winner, Gerard Coonan, Ballina
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1966 Sports Stars: back row, left to right: Babbs Keating, Andy Hogan, Bobby Redmond, Paddy Hickey, Liam
Gleeson, F. W. Rutledge; front row, left to right: Mick Roche, Anne Carroll, John Kelly, (MD Showerings), Sean
Lyons (United Sports panel and Mayor of Clonmel), Sean Barlow (Chairman, United Sports Panel), Joe Butler
(Knocknagow Award).
2004
Athletics: Ballynonty Athletic Club; Boxing: Clonmel Boxing Club; Camogie: Una O’Dwyer (Cashel); Cycling:
Jeff Hanrahan (Clonmel CC); Gaelic Football: Declan Browne (Moyle Rovers); Golf: Harry Mulhare & Joe Irwin
(Thurles GC); Hurling: Toomevara SH Team; Ladies Football: Under-14 Girls team (Cahir); Rugby: Denis
Fogarty (Cashel & Cork Con); Rowing: Ailish Redmond & Linda Kennedy (Clonmel RC); Soccer: Carrick Utd.
FC; Sean Lyons Sports Executive Award: Richard Power (T.S. & D.L.); Knocknagow Award; John Kelly
(Loughmore); Special Achievement Award: Orla Hogan.
2005
Athletics: Thomas Chamney (Crusaders SC & Notre Dame, USA); Basketball: Loreto Secondary School (Clonmel);
Boxing: Kevin Fennessy (Clonmel BC); Camogie: Claire Grogan (Cashel); Cycling: Dan Morrissey (Carrick Wheelers);
Gaelic Football: Tipperary Senior Team; Handball: Martin McInerney (Ballina HC); Hurling: Ger ‘Redser’ O’Grady
(Thurles Sarsfields); Ladies Football: Angie McDermott (Cappawhite); Rowing: Women’s Junior 8 Team (Clonmel);
Rugby: Nenagh Ormond RC; Soccer: Under-12 Team (Clonmel Town); Sean Lyons Sean Lyons Sports Executive
Award: Seamus Roche (Kilsheelan); Knocknagow Award: Mickey Byrne (Thurles Sarsfields).
2006
Athletics: Keith Maher (Thurles Crokes AC); Basketball: Presentation Secondary School (Thurles); Boxing:
Con Sheehan (Clonmel BC); Camogie: Cashel Camogie Club; Cycling: Ray Clarke (Clonmel); Gaelic Football:
Senior Football Team (Aherlow); Handball: Fergal Collins (Ballina HC); Hurling: Eoin Kelly (Mullinahone);
Ladies Football: Mairead Morrissey (Bansha); Pitch & Putt: James Cleary (Hillview); Rowing: Peter Heverin
(Clonmel RC); Rugby: Tommy O’Donnell (Cahir); Sean Lyons Sports Executive Award: Pat Moroney (Aherlow);
Soccer: Under-11 team (Clonmel Town); Swimming: Andrew Yates; Tennis: Hannah May Morrissey (Cashel);
Knocknagow Award: Michael Arrigan (Clonmel).
2007
Athletics: Amanda Farrell (Borrisokane); Boxing: Dessie Fahey (Clonmel BC); Cycling: Sam Bennett (Carrick
CC); Gaelic Football: James Williams (Moyle Rovers); Golf: Arthur Pierce (Tipperary); Handball: Paul Mullins
(Clonmel HC); Hurling: Senior Hurling Team (Loughmore-Castleiney); Pitch & Putt: Michelle McCarthy (Hillview); Sean Lyons Sports Executive Award: Tommy Toomey (Arravale Rovers); Soccer: James Walsh (St. Michael’s FC); Special Achievement Award: Four Special Olympians – William Keane, Eddie Ryan, Julie McGrath,
Siobhán McMahon; Knocknagow Award: Frank Rothwell (Clonmel).
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2008
Athletics: Aoife Bartley (Carrick-on-Suir); Boxing: Con Sheehan (Clonmel); Camogie: Trisha O’Halloran (Portroe); Cycling: Sam Bennett (Carrick-on-Suir); Gaelic Football: Colin Morrissey (Galtee Rovers); Golf: Kieran
Kennedy (Thurles); Handball: Ger Coonan & Martin McInerney (Ballina); Hurling: Shane McGrath (Ballinahinch);
Ladies Football: Tipperary Intermediate Team; Pitch & Putt: Paul O’Brien (Lakeside, Templemore); Rugby:
Niamh Briggs & Kate O’Loughlin (Clonmel); Soccer: Carrick United F.C.; Sean Lyons Sports Executive Award:
Martin Fennessy (Clonmel); Knocknagow Award: Denis ‘Sonny’ O’Gorman (Thurles).
Toasting the 21st presentation of the United Sports Panel awards: left to right, Sean Lyons, Sean Barlow, Ted Dillon
and Bill O'Brien.
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Brendan McGuinness, managing director of Bulmers
presents Edmund ‘Bunny’ O’Rahilly (Clanwilliam rugby
football club) with the Knocknagow Award for 1993.
1974 Awards: brothers Paddy Doyle (Badminton) and
Jimmy Doyle (Hurling) with Maureen Dunne and Bill
Hyland.
Forty Sports Honoured Over Fifty Years
When the first United Sports Panel met in 1959 the members chose ten sports to honour in the first year. These
were Athletics, Basketball, Boxing, Camogie, Cycling, Gaelic Football, Hurling, Soccer, Sports Executive and Table
Tennis. Since then thirty more sports have been honoured in the annual awards. With the exception of Table Tennis,
which has only been honoured twice over the fifty years, the other nine sports have been honoured regularly during
the intervening years. Standing out above them all, and the only sports to be included in the awards every year, are
hurling and athletics, which have 50 awards to date. The continued recognition of hurling is understandable in the
light of its standing in the county. There is a strong tradition of athletics also, perhaps not as strong now as it was in
the sixties and seventies. In fact from 1967 to 1982 there was double recognition for athletics, with Ladies Athletics
and Men’s Athletics treated as two distinct sports and each of them honoured annually. In 1983 the panel decided
to amalgamate the two with men and women athletes given equal rights to be recognised and in the first two years,
1983 and 1984, the winners were women, Mary Martin of Tipperary and Jackie Stokes of Fethard respectively.
Gaelic Football takes up third place with 48 awards. It missed out in 1967 and 1979 and it is probably unthinkable that it would miss out today when the panel members vote for sports. Soccer and Sports Excutive take up
fourth and fifth positions with 46 awards each. The Sports Executive which, since 2004, is the Sean Lyons Sports Executive Award, named after founder member of the panel and early secretary and longtime treasurer, while mostly recognising
managerial talent in sport, covers a range of performances. Handball, which was honoured for the first time in 1960, has
40 awards and is followed by Cycling with 39, a recognition of its strength, especially in the south of the county. Next in
line is camogie, which has received 30 awards and the sport got regular recognition with the rise of the Tipperary senior
team in the nineties. Boxing has received 21 awards and basketball 11, the latter mostly honouring secondary school
achievements. Pitch & Putt, which was also recognised for the first time in 1960, has won 14 awards.
Weightlifting came in in 1962, when it won its first award and it has now won 11 in all. A related form of the sport,
Powerlifting, was honoured for the first time in 1981 and has received two awards. Three sports were honoured
for the first time in 1967. As mentioned above Ladies Athletics was recognised as a separate sport in 1967 and
until it was amalgamated with men’s in 1982, was honoured with 15 Awards. In the same year Golf was honoured
and has received 22 awards to date. Rugby was the third sport on the scene that year, perhaps a rather belated
recognition of a popular sport but also reflecting its low profile in the county until then, and it has been honoured
with 18 awards in the meantime.
Nine more sports were honoured during the seventies. Badminton was honoured in 1971 and has 12 awards
to date. Clay Bird Shooting got its one and only recognition in 1972. Ladies Football came in in 1974 and has
received 9 awards. Volleyball was honoured the same year but has received only one award since. Rowing made
its appearance in 1975 and has been honoured 9 times in all. Equestrian Sports were recognised in 1976 and
has 9 awards to its credit. Sculling got its one and only award in the same year. Tennis was also recognised for
the first time in 1976 and has been honoured 7 times in all. Darts received its first and only honour in 1978. Six
sports were honoured for the first time during the eighties. Shooting was honoured for the first and only time in
1980, as was rallying in 1985. Powerlifting was mentioned above. Motor Sport came on the scene in 1986 and
has been honoured 4 times in all. Judo, with its first an only honour, was recognised in 1989. In the same year
Raquetball made its appearance and has been honoured 8 times in all.
The nineties continued to recognise new sports. Two unusual ones were honoured for the first and only time
in 1990, Canine Sports and Deep Sea Angling. In 1995 Gymnastics, Hockey and Snooker were honoured for
the fIrst time. Gymnastics has been honured twice, Hockey 4 times and Snooker 3 times. Swimming got its fIrst
of four honours in 1996 as did Horse Racing in 1998. Sailing made its first and only appearance in 2001 as
did Martial Arts in 2002. In a completely different category to anything before was the recognition in a Special
Achievement Award of our 4 Special Olympians in the year 2007.
The great variety of sports that has been honoured in the awards over half-a-century is a very fine recognition of
the openness of the members to new sports and their desire to promote them through their recognition in the
awards. This work fulfils the purpose of the United Sports Panel which is to promote sport throughout County
Tipperary by the annual presentation of the (Cidona) Annerville Awards to the selected stars. While constantly on
the lookout for new sports to be recognised the panel have never forgotten the popular sports, which entertain
the majority of people within the county, and these continue to be recognised and honoured also.
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1961 Sports Stars: back row, left to right: Liam Gleeson (Athletics), John Cleary (Handball), Babs Keating (Gaelic
Football), Patsy Wall (Cycling); front row, left to right: Liam Devaney (Hurling), Honor Flynn (Camogie), Eoin
Morrissey (Pitch & Putt).
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1962 Sports Stars: back row, left to right: George Mossop, Gerry Doyle (Sports Executive), Hugh O'Callaghan
(Athletics), John Kirwan (Weightlifting); front row, left to right: Patsy wall (Cycling), Babs Keating (Gaelic Football),
Nora Foley (Camogie), Donie Nealon (Hurling), Paddy Hickey (Handball). Missing from photo is the first
Knocknagow winner, J. J. Ryan.
The Knocknagow Award
The format of the United Sports Panel awards has remained fairly constant over the fifty years with the exception
of one major addition in 1962, when the Knocknagow Award was added to the list of awards.
The intention behind the new award was to recognise great Tipperary sportsmen of the past and the choice of
name was most appropriate. The name Knocknagow resonates with so much in the minds of Tipperary people.
At one level it recalls the name of Charles Kickhams’ great novel about the ordinary people in the 19th century,
written by one of themselves. At another level it stands for heroic effort and triumphing against the odds, the
ability to rise above one’s limitations for the credit of the little village. The name touches the heartstrings of every
Tipperary man worth his salt, suggesting devotion to place and county, even to a greater patriotism. It was a most
fitting name for an award honouring the greatest Tipperary sporting stars of the past. It was only fItting that the
fIrst award should go to an athlete, J. J. Ryan of Drumline, who ran over all kinds of distances from the mile to
the marathon in the 1920s. He won a 5000 metres international event in Berlin in 1925 with some of the best
middle distance runners in Europe trailing in his wake.
Many other athletes have been honoured since then including Ned Tobin, the track and field star, J.J. Barry, the
Ballincurry Hare, Pat O’Callaghan and Bob Tisdall of Olympic fame, Paddy Fahey, Tom Healy and Jimmy Hannon,
who shone for Coolcroo AC, as well as Jimmy Reardon, who was one of the fIrst Irish atthetes to get a scholarship
to Villanova University, and power- and weight-lifting stars, Michael Arrigan and Frank Rothwell. The latest winner
of the award is another athlete, Denis ‘Sonny’ O’Gorman, a Thurles man who represented the U.K. in the 1960
Olympics.
Not surprisingly a number of hurlers have been honoured with the award. The fIrst was Martin Kennedy in 1963
and following him were Tommy Treacy, of Killea and Dublin fame, the surviving members of the 1930 Triple Crown
championship winning teams, Tommy Doyle, Johnny Ryan, Willie Wall, Tony Reddin, the four players honoured by
An Post for the Millennium, John Doyle, Jimmy Doyle, Jimmy Finn and Tony Reddin, Jimmy ‘Butler’ Coffey, whose
exploits stretch back to the 1920s and 1930s, Theo English and Mickey ‘The Rattler’ Byme.
Gaelic footballers also made the distinguished list, commencing with Tommy O’Keeffe in 1964, and including the
surviving members of the 1920 All-Ireland championship winning side, Mick Cahill, the surviving members of the
1935 Munster champions, William ‘Bunny’ Lambe, Bill Ryan (Laha), Sean Cleary and Pake Brennan.
Johnny Healy of Clonmel was recognised in 1965 and two other boxers, Jimmy Smith and Eddie Cantwell
have been recognised since. Rugby has also been honoured three times in Dr. Paddy Stokes of Fethard, Paddy
Berkery, who played for Landsdowne and Ireland, and Edmund ‘Bunny’ O’Rahilly of Clanwilliam. Soccer has been
honoured twice, with Joe Butler of Cahir getting his award in 1966 and P. J. Cumrnins of Clonmel in 1984.
Handball has also been honoured twice with Joe Bergin of Nenagh getting the award in 1971 and Paddy
Ormonde of Ballyporeen two years later.
A number of sports have received one award. Jack Ayres of Nenagh got the award for his achievements in
billiards in 1967. Ed Beary of Clonmel got the award for rowing in 1969. Mick Phelan of Grange was honoured
in 1981 for cycling. The famous Tommy O’Brien was awarded in 1974. The journalist and broadcaster was one
of the finest billiard players in the country in the 1950s, winning three national amateur titles and reaching four
other fInals. The only woman ever to receive the award was Janet O’Donnell from Kilsheelan. She received her
award in 1979 for hockey, having been an Irish international player in the late 1930s.
The recipients of the Knocknagow Awards are a very select bunch and to date have been chosen from fourteen
different sports. The presentation of the award is the high point of the annual presentation dinner. There is usually
a dramatic hush among the guests in expectation of the announcement and thunderous applause as the winner
makes his way to the podium to receive the presentation. The recipient is the most special person on the night.
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design & print • lion print • 062 61258
The first United Sports Panel Stars 1959, presented in January 1960.
Back row, left to right: T. Lawrence (basketball), Sean Barlow (USP), J. O'Callaghan (basketball), Ken Hogan (USP), Ted Dillon (USP), Sean Cleary (Chairman, USP), Eddie O'Neill
(USP), Timmy O'Dwyer (basketball).
Middle row, left to right: William Hyland (Sports Executive), Patsy Ward (Soccer), Kevin Pyke (Table Tennis), Jack Lalor (Athletics), Johnny Gearon (Cycling), Liam Ralph (Boxing),
Billy Hoare & Sean Kennedy (both members of Irish basketball team).
Front row, left to right: Leo Dooley (Gaelic Football), Terry Griffin (Camogie), the Mayor, Councillor Maurice Sleator, John Doyle (Hurling), Phil Fanning (Basketball), Sean Lyons
(Secretary, USP).
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