Clann na nGael
Clubman of the Year - 1991
Over the years the coveted Clann na nGael ‘Clubman of the Year Award’ had been presented to club members who have shown a level of commitment and dedication to the club far exceeding that expected of them in their service of the club.
This year is no exception and the 1991 winner is presented with the award in recognition of his immense contribution to the club, not just during 1991, but also during the past 8 years or so over which time he has worked tirelessly for the club.
During his playing career he won:
as well as numerous other medals and trophies.
His first senior medal came in1976 and for the following ten years he was to make a name for himself as a knacky, elusive fast-moving forward. During the late 1970’s and the first half of the 1980’s he became a regular thorn in the side of the Clann opposition as he collected senior meda after medal as the Clann na nGael Club entered its most successful period ever.
Proving himself to be a very versatile forward playing in many positions he slowly developed into an ideal centre half forward, the position he held for Clann na nGael’s first All-Ireland Final appearance in 1983, against Portlaoise in Cloughjordan.
After many heroic and memorable displays, none moreso that his performance in Clann’s 1984 Connaught Championship victoryover Tuam Stars in Tuam in which his vital contribution at centre half forward is still a talking point, he eventually retired like many other Clann stars without an All-Ireland Final which Clann lost to St.Finbarr of Cork.
However, before his retirment in early 1987, he had already started to be and influential figure in the running of the club having being elected as a club officer at the 1984 A.G.M. After just two years as a club officer he had already made his mark and was destined to become a leading figure in the running of the club for many years to come.
Now, having served the club with distinction in that same position for the past 7 years and now embarking on his 8th having also served as senior team selector, the very deserving winner of the ‘1991 Clann na nGael Clubman of the Year Award’ is Club Treasurer ...
Martin McManus