lucan sarsfields gaa club

Awards Night

March 05, 2022

Sean Walsh was presented the Hall of Fame Award. A dedicated and experienced member of Lucan Sarsfields for years. Sean has a love of hurling, playing from under age right up to adult level. Following this he then served on the executive committee for a number of years as our treasurer. His three sons followed in his footsteps where he was always available for some sound advise. Sean spent many years organising the Golf Society and offered advise to the executive for our application for the financing of the new clubhouse. It was a great honour for the trustees, Gerry McAndrew, Mick Molloy and Josephine O’Donohue to induct Sean into the Hall of Fame, Sean received this most graciously and recalled some lovely memories about recently departed Don. Thanks again to Sean for all his service to the Club.

The nominee for Club Person of the year is from a family steeped in the history of Lucan Sarsfields. Volunteering, teamwork, respect and hard work is in her DNA. We are delighted to announce that the winner of the 2021 Club Person of the year is Ciara Dardis. Ciara has served as the Juvenile Games Secretary for the last 5 years as well as being a mentor and chief organiser for the 2008 boy football and hurling teams. In her role as Juvenile Games Secretary she has always made herself available to all mentors to discuss all issues big and small. She has managed multiple skirmishes and shemozzles with empathy and integrity. Whatever fundraising is organised Ciara is on board herding us all to deliver the best results possible for Lucan Sarsfields. Congratulations Ciara!!! Unfortunately, Ciara can’t be with us tonight due to the sad passing of her Dad, Don Dardis a club legend! Our Deepest sympathies to Catherine, Ciara, Una, Eoin, Blathnaid and Cormac and the extended Dardis family. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis

Since we did not host an Awards night in 2021 we thought it noteworthy to include Audrey Kane who was nominated as the 2020 club person of the year. Audrey is a person who does not seek the limelight, working away in the background, but was thoroughly deserving of the 2020 nomination for Club Person of the year for 2020 due to her tireless work as the Lucan Sarsfields Healthy Club Officer. Audrey is also a member of the Dublin Health and Wellbeing Committee. In particular Audrey is recognised as being one of the key people who drove the Lucan Healthy Club initiative delivering shopping to elderly club members and non-club members during the worst of the lock downs that we have endured over the last 2 years.
In a successful year for the Intermediate Camogie team, there were many outstanding performances. One player stood out, for her commitment, encouragement, determination, and positive attitude. Giving motivational speeches to the team and leading by example on the pitch, this player is an excellent role model for the younger members of the squad. We are delighted to award Player of the year for the Intermediate team to Deirdre O'Toole.
The Intermediate football player of the year joined the squad some two years ago. He has added some steel to the team over that period and his committed and physical approach to the game inspires the guys around him. He does not lack in any of the skills of the game and it took a little time to determine his best position on the team but once he settled at full-back, he has delivered his best football since joining the club. Despite the arrival of a new born in recent weeks, he has committed to repeating the performance this year. The intermediate footballer of the year is Jason Kenny

The Junior C award goes to Mark Gormley. Mark is a clever player that is 100% committed to the team and winning. He’s dogged on the pitch and never ever gives up he shows all the core values - respect enjoyment discipline sportsmanship and teamwork. He’s the main cog of the team, he’s vocal, has a cheeky smile and is always willing to help others. He rarely has missed a session, on or off the pitch. You can ask this chap to play anywhere on the pitch and he just gets on with it. We are extremely lucky to have this person on our team.


Junior B Hurling Player of the year is Ciaran Keane. He was also the top scorer for the year with an average of 9 points per game. His ability to influence a game and nerves of steel on crunch frees was crucial to winning tight games. All round class.

This year’s Junior B player of the year is Cara Ware. Cara showed great attitude & application throughout 2021. This was her first year at adult , having had a very successful Juvenile career. She proved what a versatile player she is, starting at Full Back, swiftly moving up the pitch to Centre Back and ultimately settling as the lynchpin of the team in Midfield. She trains with the same enthusiasm and works extremely hard at improving all aspects of her game, never missing training or matches. More importantly she encourages and helps her teammates during both training and matches.


Junior B ladies football Player of the year is Tracey Walsh. Her love of the game shows in her attitude & commitment at training and matches, she always gives 100% and Junior B Ladies football have benefited from her experience, The big cheers from her teammates confirm her selection for this award.

Our Junior A player of the year for 2021 is Aisling Kavanagh. Aisling is a great team player. She is always positive and never complains. Her versatility on the pitch and her willingness to play in any position was a real bonus for us throughout the year. She always gives everything during training and matches, in short…a model professional. She was a pleasure to coach throughout the year and constantly encouraged her team mates during matches.


For the Junior A footballer of the year there were a number of players that put up their hands, & they would all have been deserving winners. But it’s the X Factor. The performances were not without blemish, but sometimes you just need to hear the whip crack. A revelation as Captain, & a reinvention at centre back, he believed that 9 points down is not a mountain that we can’t climb. Only one player made the rousing speeches against Mearnog & Jude’s.
Do not let him near a microphone but the Junior A footballer of the year is....Noel Flynn
The Junior A Hurlers had a promising season in 2021. They won the Final of AHL Div. 5 and reached the semi-final of the Junior A Championship. We had a very committed and enthusiastic group of players who gave of their best continually, to win ten, draw one and lose only one of their twelve games. Management had a difficult job in selecting a Player of the Year, from so many sterling performances all Season. The list was narrowed down to five, and then to three, and finally selected one after a very close contest. This player had a remarkable season, displaying maturity beyond his years in his defensive play. His quiet demeanour belied his grit and steel in the heat of a game. Opposition forwards soon learned he was difficult to get past, who never gave up. He rarely missed training, even travelling up from College in Carlow, so he wouldn't miss out. He is quiet, considerate and respected by all, for the endeavour and consistency he has brought to his, and the team's performance. We wish him continued success in the future. Our Junior A hurling player of the Year is Taidgh Beahan
For all teams 2021 was a short season but it was particularly short for the Minor C Football team without a league campaign.  The team came together in late August and needed to bond quickly. The player selected as the player of the year helped this group form a team with his commitment to training, work rate and ability to listen and communicate. This player is a real "team player" which was fully demonstrated when he elected to play in goals when the team needed it most. A player who should have a long and successful career in adult football. The Minor C player of the year for 2021 is Pierce Stanley
Our Minor C Hurling player of the year is Robert Hazely. Rob is a true leader on the pitch, as a second year minor he led by example by playing in a number of positions and with his level of performances and dedication to training, he is a great lad who the rest of his teammates look up to and has been a positive influence on the new lads in the group.
Our Minor C ladies football player of the year is Lydia McEneaney, Lydia has been the most reliable player on the team by far, our foundation in goal. We can't remember a time when she was not available for a match or training. Her skill as a goal keeper has many times been called on to save the day. She well deserves player of the year accolade, and we wish her the best of luck for the future.
The Minor B Ladies Football Player of the year is Captain Fantastic Ellie Wisdom. 2021 saw the return to play for ladies football and the Minor league started later than normal. Having entered 4 minor ladies football teams for the first time ever our panels were tight for numbers. As we played the league during the summer, both player work commitments and holidays meant we struggled at times to get a team out but we fulfilled all fixtures. There were several players considered for this award but Ellie was selected for her great commitment and determination to succeed. She demonstrated great leadership on and off the pitch and encouraged all players to give their best. She is a bundle of energy and always has a smile on her face. She accepted the role of captain and led from the front.
For Minor B Football in 2021 there were many challenges to overcome not least a squad that was constantly changing. Having had a lot of personnel changes throughout the year between league and championship the Mgt team decided to go with a player who had been a constant for us for the entire year. Totally consistent in his performance every game which was the outcome of total dedication in his preparation. His practice and his focus on the key skills of forward play delivered a massive personal score tally of 6-40. A player with a bright future ahead. The Minor B footballer of the year for 2021 is Tommy Mulhall.
Our Minor B Hurling player of the year is James Ryan. James had an incredibly consistent season at Wing Back throughout the League and Championship season, he is a dependable player that can raise his game to match the opponent and through last year showed a level of performance that set the standard for the rest of his teammates.
This year’s Minor A player of the year is Phoebe Shannon. Pheobe leads by example through her attitude and willingness to work on the pitch. She made a big impact throughout the championship with her scoring accuracy from frees and open play. Having played her last underage game with this year’s minor team, she will go on to make a big impact on Lucan adult teams for years to come.
Minor A footballer of the year for 2021 is Eoin Kilduff. Minor A football Mgt. team had many candidates to consider as a potential player of the year. Eoin was selected in the end as he had a terrific year leading the team from the full back position all the way through both the league & championship in 2021 . He turned in a series of excellent performances throughout the year and one of his best attributes was his consistency across the whole season. His commitment to both training and matches was an example to all of his team mates. This player has a strong family pedigree in the club and has a bright future at U-19 football in 2022 and at adult football into the future.

The Minor A Hurling player of the year is Shane Coffey. Shane was selected for being the outstandingly consistent player throughout the entire year, keeping some of the best corner forwards in Dublin in his pocket, leading the line with his commitment and resolve.


As is common in all team sports, no one person is responsible for winning games. It takes a squad to do that, but some individuals do shine and demonstrate leadership. Minor is a strange experience because you play for 2 years but each year is a merger of two different teams, so it can result in positional changes. There were many players considered for this award but the player we have selected took to her new position like a duck to water. Her attitude to matches was always ‘can do’ and her attendance record at training and matches was excellent, she demonstrated leadership on the pitch through her actions and the inclusive nature of her play. Always happy to do the donkey work but sensible in her approach to passing the ball to the player in a better position. We reckon if we tracked her, there was many the half marathon run on that pitch out there during a game. The player we have selected to receive the Minor A ladies football award is Emma O’Brien.

The Adult Management team of the year is Under 20A Camogie Emer Keenan, Ollie Mahon, Kate Whyte, Emma Flanagan, Amy Gorman, Dermot English, Jo Mahon. Despite their competition coming at the very end of the season, facing the challenges of bad weather and waterlogged pitches, this management team drove their squad forward to put in a top grade performance, winning the inaugural championship in their grade, 3 days before Christmas! The management team and the majority of the players were part of the winning Minor Division 1 championship 2 years ago. It is great to see our adult players giving back to the club by being part of this management team.

This one was an easy one. Or is it!! A Management team that delivered a Historic Double League and Championship! Surely that’s a slam dunk. The 2004 hurlers did it in 2019 (The legendary team of Lenny “the Juggernaut” McSweeney, Anthony “Da Voice” Doddy, John “Stats” Kennedy, Matt “how did I end up with these lunatics” McCaffrey and some other fella know for getting in pictures at awards night). Lenny wins (for a 2nd time!) and leads his management team up to accept the award on behalf of the U14 Ladies Football Double winners. But wait! Another team completed the double, the same age group, this time in camogie who went unbeaten all season. Another wonderful achievement. Joint winners are declared, for juvenile management team of the year, Under 14 Camogie and Under 14 Ladies Football, a truly remarkable accomplishment, winning the Double Double. Maith Sibh, Mark Shelley, Eoin McDonagh, Laura Ní Craith, Alecia Mc Sweeney, Lenny Mc Sweeney, Eoghan O’Shea, Anthony Nolan & Andrea Johnson

The 2021 Senior Camogie Player Of the Year is our full back Avril Quinn. Avril is a rock in our defence and is always one of the first names on the team sheet. It doesn't matter whether its training or in a game, she gives 100% and is one of the most consistent performers in the squad. Popular among her teammates, she always gives encouragement and can be relied on when backs are against the wall!

Her greatest strength is to be able to recover after a mistake and focus again on the next ball. She commands her position with authority and the opposition know they are in for a tough hour when they shake hands at the beginning of the game.



This player needs no introduction and has had the honour of been presented with this award in the past. Despite the high standards set in previous years, 2021 marked a new high point in the standards achieved by this player. Often one of the smallest players on the field but he more than compensates with his work rate and unerring accuracy with the football. With so many young players being introduced to the Senior team over the last 12 months it was important how this player demonstrated real leadership in how to prepare and train to be a Senior footballer, but it was on the field that the real leadership and quality was demonstrated. All season he terrorised defences and rarely kicked a wide or missed a chance, finishing the season as the overall top scoring player in the Dublin Senior Football championship with an incredible 5-35pts. Lucan Sarsfields Senior Footballer of the year is Brendan Gallagher.

Senior Hurling player of the year is Ciaran Dowling, Ciaran was first to training on the majority of nights and a main contributor on the score sheet all year, this player’s form was pivotal in the teams drive to the semi-final of the championship in 2021. A unanimous choice of the team management.




Our Intermediate Ladies football player of the year is, Katie Wisdom.

Katie is one of our younger players. However despite her age, she has played at least 6 seasons with the team. We would say that this player is a good trainer rather than a great trainer; who definitely prefers the short sprints to the long runs. Notwithstanding this, our winner always approaches training with a smile on her face, and is hugely popular with all her team, including management.


Devastating during games, she has the brilliant knack of hitting the crossbar more often than any other player in Ireland: but seriously, she is a scoring machine and nearly always scores more goals that points in practically every game.


In the first ever U20 camogie championship, a win was the perfect way to finish off the playing year. In what was a team performance full of determination and hard work it is hard to pick out one player for this award. But for her dedication and in true full back fashion, always putting her body where others wouldn't put their hurl. Our U20 A camogie player of the year is Rebecca Flanagan.

Our U20B Camogie Player of the Year is Emma McGivney. This year’s inaugural U20B Camogie player of the year, Emma, displayed great leadership and a never say die attitude in what was a challenging campaign.

She displayed a maturity beyond her years and constantly looks to improve her game.



A leader on and off the pitch, committed, focused, hard working and a great example from a senior player to the younger members of the squad. Under 21A Hurling player of the year is Cian McHugh


Our congratulations to some of the players who couldn't make it on the night due to other commitments they were:


Daniel Coogan receives the Junior C Hurling player of the year. Daniel is a player who has matured a lot in the last 12 months. Having moved up from the juvenile ranks in the last few years, he is a great example of a player steadily making progress and finding his way successfully in the adult ranks. He has been one of the first names on our team sheet and has shown great consistency in training and matches alike. He can play in multiple positions and is earmarked to continue his improvement in the year ahead.
For consistent effort, application and desire to improve, leading by example on the pitch, Bevin Kelleher has been selected as the Junior C camogie player of the year.
The Junior B player of the year is a long serving dedicated player who enjoyed an excellent season in 2021 despite the challenges. With a short season a large turnover of players this player was consistent and reliable. A Good leader and sets great example for all other players. Last year’s team Captain, and back for another year despite rumours of retirement. The Junior B 2021 player of the year is Darren Kelly.
Our Junior A ladies football player of the year is Cliona O’Donnell. Cliona joined the team two years ago having previously played with the club at underage level. The one thing that couldn't be questioned from the start was her commitment to the team. This was reflected not only in how she trained and played but also in the fact that she made the trip up to 3 times a week from Drumcondra where she now lives, and more recently from Brussels where she has been temporarily seconded with work. They say some players do their talking on the pitch and this is definitely one of those players. A rock in defence the last two years, she has been the bane of many a forwards life and none more so than in our Championship winning final against Round Towers last year. We all hope her work secondment will be only temporary and look forward to her being back with the team full time very shortly.
Mamma Mia’s player of the year is Gemma O'Connor, apart from playing she had done a huge amount of work to keep the Mamma Mia’s going and help recruiting new members. She is also the entertainment officer for the group.

2020/21 saw us fielding a 4th minor Ladies Football team for the 1st time so it was great to get a league and championship run in 2021 post covid restrictions. The team had a great run and just lost out to "Na Fianna" in a championship Semi-final to close out their u18 careers and move to Adult Ladies Football. For our Player of the Year to represent all the girls on the team over the years from U13b to minor we have gone for the most consistent player at training and matches and that is Aoibhin Sharkey. Congrats Aoibhin on this achievement from Rose and Stiofan.


Our Minor C camogie player of the year is Aoife Murtagh. Aoife demonstrates commitment on the field, and her technical abilities are an example to all.
Our Minor B camogie player of the year is Lucy Fox. Lucy in her first year as a Minor led the team from the front with her “never say die” attitude supporting the defence, augmenting the forward line, and linking both together all from her position in midfield. she is also a dead ball specialist with a consistent 70m strike. Her skill & ability is matched by her positive attitude & unflappable nature that emanates across the team.
Our U20C Camogie player of the year is Shauna McCormack, Shauna demonstrated great enthusiasm, great attitude, clear improvement.
Lucan Sarsfields U21 Footballer of the year for 2021 is Derek Cahill. With no league and a championship just bolted onto the very end of the season, the U21 age division is not a priority for the Dublin County board. We fulfilled the U21 A&B fixtures at the end of the season without any success. In picking a player of the year for this age group we looked across all the eligible players playing adult football at various grades. With so many young players stepping up and making a major impact for adult teams there were many candidates. In the end the player selected was in his first year of adult football yet was mature enough and talented enough to push his way on the Senior panel and then onto the starting team for a successful championship run. During the championship this young player was able for marking jobs on marquee players like Barnard Brogan & Dean Rock and still having time to make a major impact in the attack. A young player with a bright future for club & county
 Under 21B Hurling player of the year is Alan Murphy. Alan brought his maturity and experience to bear in this short campaign and ensured we got all of our available players to line out. He was central in our win over Crokes, especially in our second half comeback. In the final against Craobh Chiaráin, he was consistent throughout with his leadership skills on display when organising the team from the middle of the field. He was a great link between the management and players and a terrific captain.

share on entry