Gatherings in our new clubhouse have not been as frequent as envisioned when ground was first broken on the development a number of years ago. Restrictions around Covid-19 have meant that our members have not been able to gather, mingle and celebrate together as a club which is the antithesis of the GAA. And whilst the restrictions were vital and necessary, we were delighted to come together as a club last Friday to celebrate some major achievements last year.

The main draw of the night was the medal presentation to our East Cork Junior B championship winners from 2020. 34 hurlers received their championship medals and a couple more received their East Cork Division 2 Hurling League medals as well.

Chairman Peter Hogan praised the success of last year and urged that momentum to continue this year as Carrig compete in Junior A hurling for the first time in many years. Club President, Eddie O’Riordan also praised the success of our junior hurlers and praised the work that goes on behind-the-scenes by our volunteers and not least, our chairman.

The 2020 Junior B management team of Marty McConville, Kieran Brennan, Vince Crotty, Jay Horgan and Padraic Hogan were also presented with tokens of appreciation by the club. Manager Marty McConville said a few ‘wee’ words recognising the craic that this group had on the way to victory in East Cork last year.

It wouldn’t be the last speech Marty made that night as Chairman Peter Hogan had one final order of business to get through; presenting the Clubperson of the Year 2019 which did not take place last year due to Covid. As Peter began describing a Belfast upbringing, leading to work in the UK, Waterford and eventually Cork everyone in the room knew who the worthy winner was. And there were a couple of people not in the room who knew who the winner was going to be ahead of time and made a well-timed entrance as Peter Hogan announced Marty McConville as the 2019 Clubperson of the Year. As Marty stood up to receive the award he was pleasantly surprised to be joined by his wife, 3 daughters and his son.

Marty was forced into his second speech of the night but anyone who knows him, knows that that is where he thrives. He focused on how a small decision, such as joining Carrigtwohill GAA club, led to a significant impact on his life as he became synonymous with the club and one of the real, reliable, stalwarts of Carrigtwohill GAA.

As a player and a manager Marty has given his all to Carrig with stints in charge of our senior, junior and minor hurlers over the last few years. And as a player, Marty was the most reliable and dependable individual, who was never short of a goal either.

As a club we are very grateful for the confluence of circumstances that led this man from Lámh Dhearg in Belfast, all the way down to Carrigtwohill. Congratulations to Marty McConville, 2019 Clubperson of the Year. And to our Junior B East Cork champions, who he led to success last year.