Seamus is given a Civic Reception by Waterford City and County Council

The achievements of local man Seamus Power in 2016, the highlight which was no doubt getting to represent Ireland at this year’s Olympic Games at Rio De Jinerio in Brazil was recognised recently when he was given a civic reception at the Civic Offices in Dungarvan by the members of Waterford City and County Council with its Mayor Cllr. Adam Wyse officiating.

Seamus made history on the night as he became the first person to be given a Civic Reception in Dungarvan since the amalgamation of the City and County Councils in June 2014.

At the reception Cllr Adam Wyse made reference to the controversies surrounding the inclusion of gold at the games for the first time in about 100 years and the decision of some of the games most high profile players to stay away citing the Zika Virus for not travelling.

Cllr. Damien Geoghegan who proposed that Seamus be given such a reception reflected on Seamus’ career to date.

“It was a very proud moment for all Waterford people to see you step forward and take your place and represent your country at the greatest sporting event on the planet” Cllr Geoghegan told Seamus and those present.

Cllr James Tobin who seconded the motion to give Seamus a civic reception wished Seamus success in his career and told Seamus that Waterford people would have special memories of the Rio 2016 games for “the right reasons”.

A number of other Councillor’s spoke including Independent Laurence ‘Cha’ O’Neill who said he enjoyed following Seamus’ progress and described him as an ambassador for Waterford. Cllr. O’Neill told those present that his Grandfather who was a two time Mayor of Waterford City and he hailed from Touraneena. “They must be doing something right in Touraneena” Cllr O’Neill said.

Seamus thanked those in attendance and said that the reception was unexpected, but that he appreciated it.

Seamus received his early education at Saint Mary’s Touraneena National School and upon completion of his education there moved to Saint Augustine’s College.

After his Leaving Cert he won a scholarship to East Tennessee State University where he graduated with a first class honours degree in accounting.

Before picking golf as his chosen sport to pursue a career in, he was also a very good hurler, footballer, handballer and racquetball player, winning honours in all games, and could have proved to be just as successful in any of them as he is currently at golf.

Local winners at G.A.A. Awards Night

There were a number of local winners at the Local Bar Sponsored Waterford G.A.A. Awards Night which was held on Saturday night last at Lawlor’s Hotel in Dungarvan.

There was no surprise when it came to the Adult Hurler of the Year Award as Austin Gleeson who helped Waterford win the Under 21 Munster and All-Ireland Finals was named the winner. The Mount Sion man also won the National Hurler of the Year Award, the National Underage Player of the Year, Award, and an All-Star Award as well as being named on the Under 21 Team of the year.

The underage Player of the Year award was won by Jack Prendergast from Lismore as he impressed in helping his side win Western, County and Munster Intermediate Hurling titles in the past year.

The football winners came from The Nire Club.

The Adult Footballer of the year was won by Thomas O’Gorman who guided The Nire to the county senior football final a few weeks playing at Full back. He also impressed while helping The Nire reach a third Munster Senior Club Football Final, where they lost out recently to Dr. Crokes from Kerry. The underage Player of the Year was won by Dylan Guiry who is regarded by many as one of the finest football prospects coming through within the county.

Ballyduff Lower who beat Saint Mary’s in the Junior Hurling County Final won the Club of the Year. It was a very good year for the Ballyduff/Kilmeaden based club as they won the East and County Junior Hurling Championship and reached the Munster Final where they lost out on Sunday last to Mayfield from Cork and also won the Eastern Junior Football Final but lost out to Colligan after a replay in the County Final.

The Affane/Cappoquin Club won an award for the development of their Club Grounds.

Former Waterford and Mount Sion hurler Pat McGrath, father of Ken won a Hall of Fame award.

Dungarvan’s Jim Dee won the Jack Furlong Award, presented each year for service to the G.A.A. for his untiring work as team secretary to the Waterford Senior Hurlers over a long number of years. The popular Dungarvan man served as secretary while Gerald and Justin McCarthy, Davy Fitzgerald, Michael Ryan and Derek McGrath was team manager up to the time he retired from the position.

Ballygunner Club Man Pat McCarthy won the Seamus O’Brien Award for administration within the G.A.A.

Sean Power who managed the Waterford Under 21 team in 2016 was awarded a Special Achievement Award for guiding Waterford to Munster and All-Ireland Glory.

Affane/Cappoquin Club Man Eddie O’Shea and Bonmahon’s Mossie Landy won awards of Special Merit for their work within the G.A.A.

Patricia Walsh (Junior) from Lackendarra was presented with a Special Recognition Award for serving as Secretary to the Féile na Gael Competition which was successfully staged in Waterford and Tipperary in 2016. Patricia is one of the hardest workers the G.A.A. in Waterford has having filled a number of positions at Club Level with Colligan and Saint Patrick’s as well on County and Western Boards at Adult and Bord na nÓg Levels. She is currently the Secretary of the Western Board.

Another local winner was Monnie Hallahan who was presented with a Special Recognition to Culture Award. Monnie has been long associated with the Different Scor competitions. He has trained many teams including from Sliabh gCua to win County, Munster and All-Ireland set dancing competitions and was himself a part of the First Sliabh gCua team to win a score All-Ireland back in 1972.

Earlier this year Monnie announced that he was stepping down as trainer to the set teams but has since been talked back into continuing.

The Chairman of the judging committee was Brendan Tobin.