LIMERICK picked up three accolades at the 2023 Munster GAA Awards Banquet at Killarney’s Muckross Park Hotel.
John Kiely was named as Manager of the Year, while celebrity sporting couple Aaron Gillane of Patrickswell and Old Mill’s Róisin Ambrose collected individual player awards.
The provincial council noted that Kiely’s “record is unparalleled as a senior inter-county manager.”
“He does not follow standards, he sets them, and that has been borne out since John’s appointment as Limerick Senior Hurling Manager in 2017.”
The council added that the five-time All-Ireland winning boss “is a natural leader for whom fame rests lightly on his shoulders, and who is ever ready to spread around the credit for Limerick’s great odyssey to others.”
On the citation of Hurler of the Year, Gillane stated that it was in 2017 that the now four-time All-Sar arrived on the inter-county stage and it is one that “he has since strode with menace to opposing defenders as he evolved into one of the game’s finest ever marksmen”.
It added that “2023 was the year he was at the peak of his powers”.
Brothers David and Paudie Clifford of Kerry were chosen as joint Footballers of the Year.
After a brilliant colleges career (which included two Ashbourne, Camogie, and O’Connor Cup, Ladies Football, medals, along with a Third-Level All-Star), Ambrose “made her debut with Limerick in 2018 when she helped the Shannonsiders to win the All-Ireland Junior Championship. Róisin initially played at half-forward for Limerick but has transitioned to midfield in recent years where she has flourished, being named as captain for the last two seasons.”
Karen Kennedy of Tipperary was the Camogie winner.
Cork’s Ben Cunningham won the Under-20 Hurling Award, while the Minor equivalent was awarded to Eoghan Gunning of Clare.
In football, the Minor prize went to Ben Murphy, Kerry, and to his county colleague William Shine at Under-20 level.
Munster Football champions Castlehaven (Cork) were named Club-of-the-Year.
