This article is from page 57 of the 2011-11-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 57 JPG
THE ANNUAL GAA Handball AllStar Awards function will take place in the Croke Park Hotel, Dublin, on Saturday November 19th. The AllStars (in 15 seperate categories) are selected on a provincial basis, with with all four provincial winners in each category nominated for the national awards, which will be announced on the night.
Three Clare handballers were selected as Munster All-Stars as recognition of their success in 2011 Diarmaid Nash (Player of the Year), Pat Donnellan (Masters Player of the Year) and Tommy Hegarty (Official of the Year).
Tuamgraney clubman Nash had a stellar year in 2011, winning the Munster Senior Singles, All-Ireland Intermediate Singles and Doubles and the All-Ireland 3rd level colleges Open Singles titles as well as finishing runner-up in the Irish Nationals.
Scariff native Nash, who is also an inter-county hurler of note having represented Clare on underage teams right up to Minor and Under 21, faces stiff competition if he is to take the national award, the other nominees being Paul Brady (Cavan & Ulster), Robbie McCarthy (Westmeath and Leinster) and Dessie Keegan (Mayo and Connacht).
Pat Donnellan won Munster and All-Ireland titles in both Singles and Doubles this year, winning both Golden Masters B titles in the big alley. His selection as Munster Masters Player of the Year also made mention of his continued dedication to hand- ball at adult and juvenile level, particularly in his club, Kilkishen.
Clarecastle man Tommy Hegarty is a former County Board Secretary and is the current Treasurer and Leagues Secretary. Tommy receives the Munster Official of the Year award as a “key administration figure in his own club and county, where he is well known for his tremendous efficiency, and has done so for many years. Coordinated and ran one the most successful Feile competitions ever in 2010. In addition to club and county level, he is a delegate to the Munster handball council. This award is justification for all the time, hardwork and dedication he puts in as a very committed official of handball”.
The AGM of Clare County Handball Board was held recently and there were changes at the ‘top table’ as Willie Roche stepped aside as treasurer and will be replaced by Tommy Hegarty. Roche continues in his role as Chairman of the Munster Handball Council while Newmarket’s Michael Hogan was elected to the position of Secretary, replacing Padraic Garvey.
Matthew McMahon continues as County Chairman and Shane Walsh as PRO and the other new face on the Board’s executive is Kilrush’s Jason Ryan (Assisstant Secretary). The County Adult Handball Leagues will resume for the 2011-12 season in the coming weeks, clubs are reminded to forward final entry lists to Tommy Hegarty immediately.