Glorious season for Athlone teams

Athlone teams swept the boards at the annual Combined Counties Football League Awards night in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore, on Friday night last. St Peter"s took home the Club Merit Award, which recognises exceptional achievement on the field of play. CCFL Vice Chairman Chris Hand, who acted as MC for the ceremony, said: 'There were many notable contenders but in the end one achievement stood out this season - St Peter"s magnificent cup run in reaching the biggest and most prestigious Junior Cup competition in the country (The FAI Junior Cup). Willow Park also enjoyed a superb season, achieving the double of league and cup as well as the youths cup. They were formally presented with all three trophies at the awards night. Guest of honour and Irish football legend Paul McGrath was on hand to make many of the presentations. Although they were not chosen as club of the year, Willow Park had some consolation as player Benny McGuinness was honoured with the CCFL Player Merit Award. 'This award category is designed to recognise outstanding performances and consistency by players over the course of a season. This year as in similar categories, the committee had considerable debate and consideration as the most successful teams this year had some great players. In the end the committee settled on Benny McGuinness of Willow Park. Benny is a small player in size but a player with a great heart. He works tirelessly for his team and is always fully committed and passionate in his play. As a striker, he is his team"s first line of defence. He is a striker who defenders hate to see and he can score goals too. This season he has helped his team to win two of the League"s most prestigious competitions (The Counties Cup and the Senior Division),' Mr Hand said. St Peter"s David Donohoe was honoured with a CCFL International Recognition Award. 'This category was introduced by the League a number of seasons ago to recognise the highest honour that any player can attain in his or her playing career. As we know, St. Peter"s this season attained national profile for themselves as a club and accordingly for their terrific players. This success did not go unnoticed at the highest levels in the game and in late April David Donohue, one of the St Peter"s players, was selected by manager Irish Amateur Manager Gerry Smith to travel and play with the Irish Amateur International team. In that trip to Sardinia he played for his country and made a significant impact in his debut performance. He is a terrific young man and at the age of 22 we believe he has a fantastic future,' said Chris Hand. Ballymore based Millnore Rovers were chosen as the recipients of the CCFL Fair Play Award for the team with the best disciplinary record. The Club of the Year Award, which recognises achievement on and off the field, went to Offaly club Walsh Island Shamrocks. The award takes into account a club"s administration, financial compliance, good disciplinary record, success on the playing field and development of facilities. Among the other awards on the night was the CCFL Contribution to Football Award, which was won by former counties committee member Richard Kennedy.