Tipp men honoured in new Munster Schools trophies
By Shane Brophy
Two Tipperary men who gave great service to the promotion of the GAA are among the six new trophies for Munster GAA Post Primary Schools competitions announced recently.
20 of the 30 competitions organised by Comhairle Iar Bhunscoileanna Na Mumhan were renamed in 2014 while the Dr. Harty Cup, Corn Ui Mhuiri, Dean Ryan Cup and Frewen Cup have remained in place. The six new trophies will be presented to the Munster Post Primary Schools winners of Under 19 ‘E’ Hurling, Under 16.5 ‘E’ Hurling, Under 15 ‘E’ Hurling, Under 19 ‘E’ Football, Under 16.5 ‘E’ Football and Under 15 ‘E’ Football.
The Under 19 ‘E’ Hurling trophy will be the Corn Liam Ó Cinnéide in memory of Liam Kennedy who was educated in Nenagh CBS and UCC Cork and played hurling and football with his native Kilruane MacDonaghs. Liam took up a teaching post in Ard Scoil Ris, Limerick in 1978 and was instrumental in promoting hurling in the school from the outset and his work came to fruition when the school won the 2008 Dean Ryan Cup followed by successes in the Harty Cup and White Cup. Liam was heavily involved with Na Piarsaigh GAA Club in Limerick City and was Club Treasurer at the time of his untimely passing. Known affectionately as the grandfather of Hurling in Ard Scoil Ris, he played a crucial role in sowing the seeds for the Croke Cup success by the Limerick City school earlier this year.
The Under 19 ‘E’ Football trophy will be the Corn Míchéal Ó Fuireastail in honour of Mícheál Forrestal started teaching in Clonmel High School in 1966 and from the outset, got involved with Coláistí na Mumhan. Mícheál served as both Secretary and Treasurer of the Munster Colleges body over many years, working very hard to ensure every competition was organised in a fair and diligent manner. Mícheál worked very closely with the late Denis Noonan and Tom Collum during this time to ensure the smooth running of Munster Colleges. Mícheál was also instrumental in promoting Gaelic Games in Clonmel High School, helping them to Munster successes in the Corn an Uachtarain, Corn na gColáistí and Corn na Banndan.
The other trophies named are:
fe 16.5 ‘E’ iomaint - Corn Gearóid ó Beinéid: Gerry Bennis came from a well-known hurling family in Patrickswell and gave great service to his club as a player and administrator.
Fe 15 ‘E’ iomaint - Corn Seán Stac: A native of Duagh, Co. Kerry, John Stack enriched the lives of all those who came under his care in St Joseph's Secondary School Tulla Co. Clare.
Fe 16.5 ‘E’ peil - Corn Coilm O Ciardubháin: The trophy is named after Colm Kirwan, Deputy Principal of Castleisland Community College from 2003 to 2013.
Fe 15 ‘E’ Peil - Corn Seán O hEathírn: Sean Aherne started teaching in Kilmacthomas, Co. Waterford in 1974 and immediately set to work in organising Gaelic games. Sean's contribution to GAA in Club & School in Waterford is fondly remembered by all who came in contact with him, and he left a rich legacy for future generations.