Bruree GAA held it's club awards night at the Central Bar, Bruree, on Saturday night last. Club chairman, Brendan Hogan, welcomed ereryone and thanked all those involved in organising the night. The main business of the night then followed. John O’Halloran, Club Treasurer, presented the Bruree GAA Hurler of the Year 2018 to Patrick Lane “ a man who is well settled in Bruree’s first team and is a tenacious defender capable of winning and clearing ball over his shoulder in the tightest encounters. Always a strong physical presence on the field of play, his speed and agility, his take no prisoners approach and his ability to remain calm under pressure are hallmarks of his style of play. From an early age Patrick's talent was evident. Nippy, skilful and determined he has made the corner back position his own for the last few years and he is a player that Bruree will look to drive the clubs return to senior level this year.” Club Secretary, David Deady, presented the Bruree GAA Footballer of the Year 2018 to Emmett Morrissey “a man who will always be remembered for the part he played in Bruree’s 2006 victory and the questionable injury he sustained in that game. Renowned on the hurling field, he can also hold his own with the best exponents of Gaelic football. A man whose aptitude and flair on the football field was obvious from an early age, Emmett is a footballer noted for his strength and endless energy. A quiet man who lets his football do the talking, he can always be relied upon to give a solid performance with his trusted left foot to the fore. He has the ability to inspire his team mates with his dedication and work rate. While he lived abroad for a few years all he wanted to do is to wear the white and blue jersey and give his all once again.” Eileen McMahon presented the Donncha Ó hArgáin Cup for the Bruree GAA Personality of the Year 2018 to Lawrence Sexton, “a man who bears one of the few names in the parish of Rockhill Bruree which are synonymous with Bruree GAA. Lawrence became involved in the first team set-up some years ago and his commitment to the squad has been second to none. Though living a very busy life body building in the gym, he finds time to play a major part in supporting the first team and, when he can, the Junior B team. A GAA club is built around the people who work in the background and this man’s love of being involved is evident for all to see. He is always there, always willing to help and working quietly in the background. Lawrence is rarely, if ever, absent from the side-line at any training or match.” The Donncha Ó hArgáin Cup was first presented fifty years ago when the recipient was Jim O'Brien. Club Chairman, Brendan Hogan, presented the final award of the night, the Hall of Fame, which went to John Lyons, “a man whose love of Gaelic games was generated from an early age and was nourished in the fields around Knockaunavodig with his family, neighbours and friends. And this is where it continued for a few years until he was asked to try out for Bruree. He never looked back! A natural, he went on to be a leading member of Bruree’s county final teams of 1978 and 1982. He was noted as a rangy and skilful hurler in his heydays with Bruree. Though he started his career in the forwards, he usually played at wing or corner back where he was a diligent, sticky player and became an expert on the art of holding a man. You would think he had enough of county finals, but no! - he came out of retirement to play his part in the 1994 county final as well. He is one of the very few that can claim to be involved in all three of those finals from a playing point of view. Continuing the county final theme, in 2006 John was a selector on the team that won the county. Something you hear quite a lot about that team is the positivity and the willingness to support and work for one another and John epitomises all these traits. A quiet man who never shouts and never has a bad word to say, he is always positive and encouraging of the players on his watch. When he retired from hurling, he always stayed involved with the club as an able administrator and rolled up his sleeves whenever help was needed. John was also involved in girl’s underage football - even though his own football career didn’t last too long, a knee injury forcing him to focus on his hurling. A staunch Bruree man whether as a player, supporter, sponsor or administrator, his own innate modesty would not allow him to admit to the important part he plays in our club but Bruree GAA is very happy and proud to recognise and pay tribute to his role through many years.”
Brú Rí Abú 🔵⚪️
