SINCE their memorable All-Ireland victory in September, members of the Clare senior hurling team and their management have received many awards.
That list was extended on Saturday night when the RTE manager of the year and team of the year accolades were presented to Clare.
At a function attended by many of the country’s leading sports personalities from the world of sport, the first award presented was the manager of the year trophy, which went to Davy Fitzgerald, who led Clare to win the Liam MacCarthy Cup in September. Davy was presented with his award by RTE head of sports, Ryle Nugent. A panel of sports writers and commentators choose Davy from a shortlist that included Dublin football manager, Jim Gavin; Tony Ward, the Galway camogie boss and Eamonn Ryan, the Cork ladies football manager.
The team of the year was decided by public vote and the Clare hurlers were the popular winners. Team captain Pat Donnellan accepted the award from Michael Ring TD, Minister with responsibility for Sport. Donnellan was accompanied by team mates Domhnall O’Donovan, Shane O’Donnell and Tony Kelly, along with manager Davy Fitzgerald.
Jockey AP McCoy was the choice as sports person of the year and he received the award from John Treacy, CEO of the Irish Spors Council. Clare hurler Tony Kelly was in the shortlist from which McCoy was chosen as the winner.
Former Republic of Ireland star Paul McGrath was inducted into the hall of fame and was presented with his award by recently appointed manager Martin O’Neill.
The curtain will finally come down on a truly memorable year for Clare hurling on this Saturday night, December 28, when the members of the U- 21 Munster and All-Ireland winning team will be presented with their medals by Ger Loughnane, at a function in the Auburn Lodge hotel