A gala night for the county’s stars

THE 2009 teams of the senior hurling and football championships were honoured at The Clare Champion’s fifth annual gala awards night at the Clare Inn Hotel last Friday.
This year, for the first time, community leaders were honoured, as well as a number of high achievers in athletics, handball, swimming, hurling and football.
Clare Champion managing director John Galvin congratulated the award winners and spoke of the company’s decision to “honour men and women who give of their time within their communities on a voluntary basis”. He went on to say that the awards scheme will continue in next year.
Replying on behalf of the award winners, Donal Madden, a member of the hurling team of the championship, spoke of the “importance of this scheme to the thousands of club players”.
He went on to compliment the sponsors on the decision to recognise the work of people within their communities by including the community awards. He also availed of the opportunity to congratulate the footballers of Kilmurry-Ibrickane on their “magnificent season”.
Before concluding, he paid a special tribute to hurling team member Colin Lynch. “He retired during the year after giving over 12 outstanding years to the county. He has been a model for us all,” he said.
Clare’s victory in the All-Ireland U-21 hurling final resulted in the overall award being presented to the team manager John Minogue. Accepting the award, he spoke of the joy experienced throughout last season as Clare won Munster and All-Ireland honours for the first time at this level.