Cork and Mitchelstown U20 footballer, Cathail O’Mahony, has been named as the EirGrid GAA U20 Player of the Province for Munster while his manager, Keith Ricken, has picked up the title of EirGrid GAA Manager of the Province, as the Munster champions prepare to play Dublin in the All-Ireland final this Saturday in Portlaoise.
The provincial award has been given to Cathail for his spectacular display in the EirGrid GAA Munster U20 final against Kerry.
Cork beat the defending champions 3-16 to 0-12 with O’Mahony scoring 1-5 at Páirc Uí Rinn. Keith Ricken is in charge of the Rebels who lost out on the provincial title to Kerry last year.
Last weekend Cathail scored 0-7 in another fine display, as the Rebels came from behind to outscore Tyrone, 2-17 to 1-18, to reach the decider.
The Connacht recipient is Liam Costello, with Padraic Joyce the manager. In Ulster Seán Óg McAleer is the chosen player and Paul Devlin manager. Ciaran Archer is the Leinster choice and manager is Tom Gray.
The EirGrid GAA Player of the Province initiative has been running at U20 for the last three years while this is the first year that managers have been recognised for their efforts throughout the provincial campaign.
The players and managers have been carefully selected by the Gaelic Writers Association.
External communications manager at EirGrid, Valerie Hedin, commented: “A huge congratulations are in order for Cathail O’Mahony and manager Keith Ricken for their achievements with Cork GAA in this year’s EirGrid GAA Munster U20 Football Championship. The aim of the EirGrid GAA U20 Player and Manager of the Province awards is to acknowledge those outstanding performances and achievements throughout the season.”
Uachtarán Chumann Luthchleas Gael John Horan said: “Well done to both Cathail and Keith on their exploits at Páirc Uí Rinn in helping Cork to overcome Kerry and claim a Munster title. Cathail epitomised the Cork effort and was rewarded through his scores and the management deserve great credit for their preparation of this group of players. Both are deserving recipients.”
