Awards: Best captain's speech
January 18, 2012
Summerhill captain Tony McDonnell raises the 2011 Keegan Cup. The champions start their defence with a clash against 2011 Div 1 league finalists St Pats.
It's always one of the more pleasing aspects on final day, the game is over, the cup is presented and the supporters are let loose onto the pitch to wait for the words of wisdom from their captain. We take a look at some of the better after match speeches from last year.
Clonard stepped into the winner's enclosure for the first time in forty years when they defeated Ratoath to win the Junior B championship. Alan Farrell sent the large Clonard following into roars of approval when his hoisted the Larry Kearns Cup. With great passion in his voice Farrell told the crowd that his father, Leonard was the last man to captain Clonard to a championship title win.
Pre match speeches are no stranger to Mairtin Doran. 2011 saw the talented dual star lift the Jubilee Cup for the third year in succession. If anything this was the best of Doran three speeches and the fact that Kildalkey had won the three in a row showed in his voice. Doran paid tribute to the players who couldn't play and to those who would have played but had emigrated. The biggest cheer of the day was saved when Doran credited the efforts of manager Pat O'Halloran and his selectors Nick Fitzgerald, Sean Kealy, Mattie Murtagh and Gary Costello
Longwood Rathmolyon won the MHC title by beating Ratoath in the decider at Pairc Tailteann. Captain of the combination side was Rathmolyon's David Morgan. After receiving the cup from Michael Mullally, Morgan went on to thank the manager, player's and the supporter but saved the best wine till last. This was the first year Longwood and Rathmolyon joined forces and as usual there would be no love lost when neighbouring sides collide. Morgan went on to say that "Jaysus lads to be honest I used love beating you Longwood boys" but this year has brought us closer and we are all friends now.
One of the best speeches we at hoganstand.com have heard in recent years was after the 2007 SHC final when John Donoghue accepted the Jubilee Cup on behalf of Kiltale. Donoghue was back on the podium again in 2011 when he led Moynalvey to a great victory over Gaeil Colmcille in the IFC final at Pairc Tailteann. When a captain starts with the opening line "Barney told me to only take a few minutes" you know that it's going to be a long one. Donoghue couldn't praise past players and managers enough who got them to this stage while he was also very graceful to Gaeil Colmcille.
The biggest crowd that emptied onto Pairc Tailteann in a long time came after the Meath SFC final replay. Summerhill had just beaten Dunshaughlin in extra time to win their first Keegan Cup in 25 years. Goalkeeper Tony McDonnell had the honour of captaining the side. Tony gave a rousing speech and was let forget no one by the prompting of his mother Anne. In what was a very emotional day for the Summerhill and the McDonnell's. Anne is County Board PRO and Tony's dad Declan was a selector. Tony kept the crowd buzzing for a good ten minutes after hoisting the cup and like all good captains paid tribute to the players that donned the Summerhill jersey and had little to show for it.
Our award goes to Tony McDonnell
Tomorrow Best performance in an Adult Hurling Final
Our previous award winners
Awards: Best U21 hurler
Awards: Best camogie player
Awards: Best U16 Footballer
Awards: Best Senior Hurler
Awards: Unluckiest team
Awards: Best former county man still playing
Awards: Best Ladies Footballer
Awards: Best U21 Footballer
Awards: Best combination of referee and player
Awards: Best Minor Hurler
Awards: Best Intermediate Club Footballer
Awards: Best Club Grounds
Awards: Best Dual Player at Club Level
Awards: Club of the Year (on the playing field)
Awards: Best referee in a pressure situation
Awards: Best Intermediate Club Hurler
Awards: Senior Club Footballer of the Year
Awards: Best Junior Championship Player
Awards: Best Meath star in a club management role
Awards: Minor Footballer of the Year
Awards: Best comeback in a championship match
Awards: Best togged out team at adult level
Awards: Best display in a ladies football final
Awards: Most medals won Tweet
