Take a look and a read back on previous Ból Chumann presentation evenings
Presentation Evening 2025
County Stars Honoured as Ted Hegarty Enters Hall of Fame at Ból Chumann evening of Celebration
The Parkway Hotel, Dunmanway was a hive of activity on Saturday night last where all the County winners and runners-up were honoured for their road bowling years achievements by Ból Chumann na hÉireann. All players were presented with a framed collage of photos. Special awards went to Arthur McDonagh Male Player of the Year, Hannah Cronin Female player of the year, Shane Crowley Young player of the year, Personality of the year went to P.J.O’Mahony for his sterling work in organising the All-Irelands at Castletown for the past two years, and in his procurement of An Taoiseach Micheál Martin to open the 2025 All-Irelands.
Hall of Fame went to Lyre man Ted Hegarty, his citation was read as follows 'Our Hall of Fame recipient tonight joins a pantheon of great bowlers and great bowling people into the Hall of Fame. His place in the pantheon has been earned primarily for his ground-breaking work in establishing an academy of young bowlers, which he has run every year since it was founded in 2009 on the Letter Road, North of Clonakilty where it was played for three years. It then moved to its current home, on the Phale Road, Ballineen. To date well over 2000 boys and girls have been part of that nursery that has borne phenomenal fruit in terms of turning out stars of the future, but whether or not they achieve greatness in sport, every one of them will have been given the gift of a great sport that they can continue to play for the rest of their lives. This man wasn’t given any special commission. He didn’t receive any government grants. He just had a desire to do something constructive, to promote a game that is part of his DNA. To pass the torch to another generation. He informally spread the word in 2009 that he was going to run an event for children. He got a promising response that quickly took hold on the strength of a job being well done to fuel the enthusiasm of youth. Many good idea never get acted upon. Many people wait to be invited to do things. This man not only turned his good ideas into something real, but has kept that fire burning for the past 17 consecutive years. The sport of bowling will benefit from that selfless investment and volunteer spirit for decades ahead. So tonight Ted Hegarty we are honoured that you are our Hall of Fame recipient for 2025'.
Presentation Evening 2024
THE LATE PAT MCCARTHY WAS FITTINGLY INDUCTED INTO THE HALL OF FAME
The great and the good of Road Bowling took centre stage at the annual Ból Chumann awards night on Saturday last and despite the very bad weather a fine crowd attended and seventy five percent of the players were there to receive their awards. The female player of the year award went to Geraldine Curtin on her back to back county wins of 2023 and 2024, but the all-Ireland title has eluded her and will have to wait for another year. The male player of the year went to James O’Donovan for his wonderful individual Gold medal Moors achievement in Neuharlingersiel, Germany in May, James has given his life to bowling since he won an u-12 all-Ireland at Lyre in 1999, with some GAA thrown in, he has followed in the footsteps of his grandfather Brendan and father Declan, but that County senior title that he has come so near to winning on occasions, in 2010 and again in 2020, he has yet to get his hands on. The personality of the year went to Castletown bowling club president Jimmy Hennessy, Jimmy has given a lifetime to bowling and was a player of note in his day, Jimmy is also vice chairman of the Mid Cork region, he has passed the interest of road bowling on to his grandchildren Aoibhe, Anna, Leah, Grace, Rosie and Lily who have gone on to win county titles of which he is very proud and has even got his son in law involved, Jimmy’s son John passed away in 2005 and Jimmy put a memorial cup up in his honour for the Novice E championship, Jimmy’s other passion is drag hunting, he was a popular recipient on the night.
There was a joint presentation of The Hall of Fame from both Ból Chumann Ard Mhaca and Ból Chumann Cork, with the late Pat McCarthy, who passed away on September 04th 2024, honoured.
In its Citation Ból Chumann Cork, hailed Pat for his outstanding contribution to the sport over several decades. He served as PRO of Ból Chumann for close on two decades, during which time he transformed the role and also became one of the preeminent authorities on the sport and the association. No major decision was made in that time without his detailed and considered input. His annual reports are legendary for their level of detail and analysis and now form an essential part of the archive of the sport that needs to be carefully preserved. He was also the bowling correspondent for the Southern Star, His weekly columns were considered the ultimate account of happenings in the sport. He also contributed to a range of their publications on the sport. Apart from all of this he was a dedicated club man. He orchestrated everything in the Reenascreena Bowling Club up to the very end of his life. He was also an active competitor in the sport. Pat McCarthy, a native of Drinagh, was of bowling and for bowling throughout his adult life. He leaves a wake of virtue, a legacy of achievement and a void that will never be filled.
Meanwhile, the Ból Chumann Northern Branch also announced that the Armagh construction Hall of Fame Award for 2024 goes to the late Pat McCarthy. In their citation, they said Pat was a tireless worker and a wonderful ambassador in all aspects of the sport of bowling. His contribution to the sport especially as PRO for over two decades cannot be overstated. In his role, he covered every major bowling event in the four corners of this island and indeed further afield. He was a man of utmost integrity who was highly respected on the roads of Armagh where his bowling coverage was always carried with complete impartiality. His sad passing has left a huge void in the association not only here in his native Cork but also in Armagh. The Northern Branch are truly honoured to induct the name of the late Pat McCarthy into the annuals of the Armagh Construction Hall of Fame.
Deirdre McCarthy, Pat’s daughter on accepting the award on behalf of her brother Brian and all the McCarthy Family thanked both organisations for their very thoughtful gesture, of her dad she said that he was a very humble man and would be totally embarrassed by this award, she said that bowling was his life, Sunday after Sunday week in week out, even their Christmas day dinner had to be organised around his Reenascreena scores. She said of his Southern Star reports that they were a two to three hour job on a Sunday night, Monday morning, precision was everything to him. He had wonderful friends made through bowling over the years. And he enjoyed immensely when travelling to the European countries or his trips to Armagh. We know you miss him dearly, but none more so than his family. Thank you so much for this award.
Ar dheis dé go raibh a anam
Presentation Evening 2023
Brian Wilmot and Ciara Buckley received Player of the Year Awards at Ból Chumann’s presentation night at The Parkway Hotel, Dunmanway on Saturday night last. Intermediate champion, Wilmot, after almost two decades in the upper echelons, enjoyed his most successful year to date with a string of victories bringing him championship glory and winners prizes in prestigious tournaments at Rosscarbery and at the King and Queen festival in Ballincurrig. His citation read, ‘He is an exemplary sportsman who has embraced the international part of our sport and has been a valued member of Ból Chumann teams at Ootmarsum and Meldorf. He is very much in the frame for selection again for the forthcoming championships in Germany next May’.
Ciara Buckley’s award comes on the back of a brilliant county final winning performance at Whitechurch when she too won at intermediate level. A former U16 All-Ireland winner and U18 county champion, Ciara, made it third time lucky when she claimed the John Harrington Cup in July at the City venue. The Mallow lady has proved herself an outstanding ambassador for bowling and has been part of youths and adult teams at European Championships since 2012. The prestigious Hall of Fame Award for 2023 was awarded to David Murphy, Brinny. Ahead of the 17th European games in 2024, the award recognises the Mid Cork man’s exceptional performances in winning individual gold on the road in three successive championships. In defeating fifty opponents on each occasion, Bandon road, (2008), Pesaro, Italy (2012) and Ootmarsum, Holland (2016), as well as securing Moors Gold and German Loft, silver, at youths in 2000, Murphy enters the record books as one of the championships all-time great performers. He is a three-time All-Ireland senior champion, five-time and current county senior champion and a six-time winner at the King of the Roads festival. The administrative roles he plays within Ból Chumann were also highlighted in his citation. ‘Tonight’s Hall of Fame award winner is an effective secretary of a busy Mid Cork region and has successfully filled the void left by Dan McCarthy when assuming the role of Association’s Youth Officer in 2020’.
The Personality of the Year for 2023 went to Kevin O’Donoghue, Secretary, of Killea Club in Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. Kevin was the chief co-ordinator of a massively successfully All-Ireland junior C and novice finals hosting on the first weekend of September. He had liaised with Ból Chumann officers in calm and positive exchanges and showed understated leadership in delegation and execution of the hectic workload the organisation of an All-Ireland series entails. From programme production, signage and safety, multiple stewardship roles, road diversions and presentation arenas Kevin played a captain’s part in ensuring the feel-good factor was felt long after one of the great weekends of the summer. Former chairperson, Susan Greene, Hall of Fame winner for 2022, was also presented with her award.
The West Cork region were hosts of Saturday nights end of season celebration which was dignified by the attendance of Cllr, Joe Carroll, deputising as County Mayor, Cllr’s Deirdre Kelly and Declan Hurley. Present too in support of the Sexton family, Timoleague, was family friend, Pearl Gleeson who celebrated her 100th birthday just a few weeks ago. The large attendance heard praise for Cork County Council for their continue support for bowl-playing. Bol Chumann vice-chair, Willie Murphy thanked clubs and regional personnel for their work in ensuring an extensive championship programme was completed. Finalist in twenty-five separate categories received a photographic collage in recognition of their championship success. Recipients were, Senior women, Geraldine Curtin, Denise Murphy; intermediate, Ciara Buckley, Chloe O’Halloran; junior Albhie O’Shea, Siobhan Kelleher; U18, Ellen Sexton, Rosin Allen; U16, Emma Hurley, Laura Sexton; U14, Jena Healy, Grace Ahern; U12, Chloe Hubbard, Lily Scannell: Senior men; David Murphy, Martin Coppinger; Intermediate, Brian Wilmot, Donal O’Riordan; Junior A, Denis O’Sullivan, Paddy O’Donnell; Junior B, Noel O’Regan, Noel O’Donovan; Junior C, Shane Collins, Jimmy Quilligan; Novice A, Brian O’Driscoll, Michael Ahern; Novice B, David O’Brien, Liam Murphy; Novice C, David Desmond, Gavin Crowley; Novice D, Michael O’Driscoll, Paul Twomey; junior veteran, Philip O’Donovan, Noel Gould; Novice veteran, Paul Butler, Michéal O’Céallacháin; Vintage, Christy Mullins, David Walsh, Jack Cahalane; Boys U18, Tommy O’Sullivan; Conor O’Donovan; U16, John O’Donoghue, Ben Cooney; U14, Tommy O’Donoghue, Jack Allen; U12, Eoghan Hickey, Brian Harrington.
Presentation Evening 2022
Ból Chumann’s presentation night at The Celtic Ross Hotel on Saturday, was an enjoyable end of year celebration of a busy championship season that had its full schedule back for the first time in three years. The attendance included, special guests, Mayor Cork County, Danny Collins, Cllr Joe Carroll, senior Ból Chumann officers, chair, Michael Brennan, Hon Sec, Michéal O’Ceallacháin, Treasurer, James O’Driscoll and ninety-nine year old Pearl Gleeson, a close relative of the Sexton family, Timoleague.
Mayor Collins congratulated Ból Chumann on its work in preserving and promoting the sport in the modern age, spoke humorously on his own attempts at Road Bowling and wished the Association well in the future. Cllr Carroll spoke of his long affinity with the sport and stated Bol Chumann need cooperation from all sectors to ensure its continued success. Pat McCarthy, P.R.O. then introduced the 2022 award winners. Forty-four championship finalists were acknowledged for their achievements and while not all made it to Rosscarbery, a sizable percentage did with many travelling long distances. All receive a framed photographic compilation in honour of their championship successes. Those receiving awards were girls U12 Maebh Cuinnea, winner, Shauna O’Driscoll, runner-up; U14, Emma Hurley, Chloe Hubbard; U16, Laura Sexton, Darcy O’Brien; U18, Rachel Kingston, Natalie Dempsey; Boy’s U12, Ross O’Brien, Mikey McDonagh; U14, Daniel O’Sullivan, Jonathan O’Callaghan; U16, Liam Murphy, Brian Horgan; U18, Paddy O’Donnell, Cillian Kelleher; Junior ladies’ Margaret Sexton, Anna Hurley; Intermediate ladies, Denise Murphy Juliette Murphy; Senior ladies, Hannah Sexton, Veronica O’Mahony; novice D men, Ruairi O’Connell, Mattie McDonagh; novice C, Sean Paul McDonagh, Con Collins; novice B, Darren Kelly, Jack O’Callaghan; novice A, John A Murphy, Micheal Desmond; novice veteran, Tim Kelleher, Tony Murphy, junior veteran, Mark Burke, Noel Gould; junior C, David Hegarty, Denis Murphy; junior B, Denis O’Sullivan, Darragh Dempsey; junior A, John Creedon, Tim McDonagh; Men’s intermediate, Patrick Flood, Donal O’Riordan; Men’s senior, Michael Bohane, Seamus Sexton. A highlight of the night was the presentation of four special awards.
Ból Chumann’s Hall of Fame is bestowed on individuals who have been nominated for their exceptional contributions over a long period of time. This year’s recipient is former chair, Susan Greene. Ms Greene was unavoidably absent from the presentation night due a prior commitment. Michael Brennan’s citation read, ‘The bowling game’s governing body, Ból Chumann na hÉireann, has been fortunate to have at its helm through its almost seventy years of existence people who have inspired and motivated, instilled confidence and in many ways galvanised its membership. Tonight’s Hall of Fame inductee had all the attributes. Nineteen years in the hot seat is a serious statement of commitment. By its nature holding the position of chair in any organisation is demanding, but it also gives the opportunity show one’s character in its best light. Our Hall of Fame winner oversaw seasons of twenty plus championships, worked in harmony with her peers in Ból Chumann Ard Mhacha, ensured continuity and earned the respect of the Associations entire membership. She inspired loyalty and got it in spades most notably from her trusty lieutenants James and Gretta and she kept a few more in check when any looseness might have been damaging. She was a communicator, communicating with honesty and integrity and with the singular goal of ensuring the best for the sport of bowling. She rallied against self-interest and exuded positivity even in the face of the sternest challenges. In bringing our game into the 21st century, into the technical age, and in ensuring it remains a viable entity among the multitude of sporting outlets now available to our youth, our Award winner has left an indelible mark through her years of service’.
The Personality of the Year Award went to Mick Hurley, Conna, and East Cork for his sterling work with Ballincurrig Bowling Club, current All-Ireland hosts and long time King and Queen of the Road organisers. Michael Brennan said ‘Mick is at the coal face in all things bowling when events take place at Ballincurrig. He leads a team of men and women to ensure all necessary precautions are in place before a shot is thrown. And when the bowling starts, he is marker, steward, bowl finder, referee and well able to throw a score if needs be. An administrator of high calibre, he is also Chairman of the East Cork division’.
The Male Player of the Year Award went to Seamus Sexton for his magnificent achievement in winning the Gold Medal at the European Championships in June and for a superb run in the senior championship. Seamus ‘delivered both at home and abroad in a year of exceptional success’. Dunmanway’s Rachel Kingston was the Female Player of the Year award recipient. Another who excelled at the European Championships winning Gold in U18, Rachel followed up with county and All-Ireland honours in her grade. ‘A West Cork title in any grade is not easily won, her county campaign to victory in Lyre involved many tough battles and then there was that memorable comeback victory against Armagh highly rated champion, Caoimhe Rafferty, in the sun-soaked All-Ireland final at Ballincurrig’ read her citation.
