After a break of some years the very popular Cork North Garda Youth Awards have returned, and on Wednesday, 12th March, Mallow GAA complex played host to the ceremony. The awards were sponsored by Janssen Pharmaceutical, represented on the night by Jer O'Brien.
11 awards were presented with The Avondhu area being represented by John O'Donoghue (Mitchelstown) and Matthew O'Connor (Ballyhooly). The other awards went to: Adam Horgan (Little Island), Bevan Murphy (Cobh), Chrisdina O'Neill (Charleville), Darragh Lee (Youghal), James Ronayne (Mallow), Jennie White (Buttevant), Jessica Whelan (Cobh). Two group awards were presented to The Young Innovators Transition Year from Midleton College and Class Four from Davis College, Mallow.  
Matthew O'Connor's citation was read by Fermoy based Community Garda, Kathryn Canty. In it she detailed the trauma Matthew experienced when, as a then 10-year-old, he was struck by a car while out cycling. Despite very severe injuries, Matthew clung to life and showing tremendous fighting qualities he started out on the long road to recovery which necessitated intensive physiotherapy, speech therapy and occupational therapy. His desire to pull on the famed blue and yellow Ballyhooly GAA jersey was a huge motivational factor for Matthew and in 2012 he captained his side to win the Creed Cup. According to Kathryn, Matthew's positive attitude and mental toughness has been 'an inspiration to everyone who knows him'.

OVERALL WINNER

There was an overall winner and this went to 16-year-old John O'Donoghue from Pollardstown in Mitchelstown. John's citation was given by Mitchelstown Community Garda, John Hennessy and it made for incredible listening as the details surrounding an attack by a bull on John O'Donoghue's father Joe, were outlined. During the sustained attack, John O'Donoghue struggled with the bull in a desperate bid to save his father. He eventually succeeded in getting his father inside a jeep, only for the bull to attack the vehicle. There was never any doubt that John O'Donoghue's intervention saved his father's life. John attends Mitchelstown CBS and is a prominent member of Kildorrery Karate Club.
Inspector Eddie Golden was MC for the evening and the awards were presented by Chief Superintendent, Gerard Dillane who said the calibre of those nominated for awards was 'exceptional'.

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