The achievements of Waterford's GAA Stars during 2019 will be celebrated at a gala dinner in the Granville Hotel tomorrow night.
The chief executive of the Federation of Irish Sport Mary O'Connor is the guest of honour at the Awards Dinner.
Previous winners in recent years include Beth Carton, Jamie Barron, Austin Gleeson, Patricia Jackman, Conor Gleeson, The Waterford minor hurlers, Kevin Moran and John Mullane.
The winner of the Kevin Casey Emerging Young GAA player award will also be revealed on the night.
February: Tommy Ryan
Tommy was the first monthly winner of 2019. The Tallow attacker was in impressive scoring form as Waterford made a blistering start to life in Division 1(B) of the Allianz Hurling League. Tommy netted a brace of goals with two brilliant finishes as Waterford defeated Laois in O’Moore Park. The Tallow speed-merchant carried this form into the home tie against Carlow in Round three with another two goals, including a brilliant overhead strike for the opening goal.
March: Annie Fitzgerald
Waterford and Gailltír star Annie Fitzgerald played a vital role in the success of St. Angela’s Ursuline, who became the first Waterford school to lift an All-Ireland’ A’ Schools Camogie Title. Captain and Player of the Match Annie Fitzgerald hit 1-9 in their replay win over Cross and Passion from Antrim. She also lined out for Gaultier in the All-Ireland Club Camogie Final where they narrowly lost out to Clonduff.
April: Michelle Ryan
Waterford ladies footballer Michelle Ryan was in terrific form as Waterford landed the Division Two League Final. She netted a hat-trick of goals in the League Semi-Final win over Cavan and backed that up with another solid display in the impressive League Final win over Kerry. Michelle went on to win another County Club title later in the year as Ballymacarbry made it thirty-seven County Football titles in a row.
May: Maria Delahunty
Waterford ladies footballer Maria Delahunty finished with 1-4 and put in a Player of the Match display as Waterford were crowned Division Two National league champions following victory over Kerry in May. She also played a key role as Waterford defeated the Kingdom ladies again, this time in the Munster Championship. Maria was also one of seven members of the Waterford Ladies football team who were selected for the Lidl Division Two team of the league.
June: Niamh Rockett
Waterford camogie captain Niamh Rockett scored 1-2 from play in a Player of the Match performance against Dublin at Walsh Park to inspire the Deise to their first win of the All Ireland series. Niamh was nominated for an All-Star and was very unlucky to miss out. However, she was part of the squad that travelled to New York and gave a fantastic performance for the 2019 All-Stars team who beat their 2018 counterparts at Gaelic Park in November.
July: Beth Carton
Beth scored 5-36 in six matches last summer as the Déise made it back to the All-Ireland quarter-finals. She was named player of the tournament as De La Salle won the All-Ireland sevens against local rivals Gaultier in Kilmacud Crokes. Beth went on to pick up her second successive All-Star award and lined out in the exhibition game, where she also got on the score-sheet.
August: Dessie Hutchinson
Dual star Dessie Hutchinson fired six points from play as Ballygunner eased past Passage in the quarter-finals of the County Senior Hurling Championship. He also impressed for Gaultier and made his championship debut for the Waterford footballers during the summer. Dessie carried this form into the latter stages as the Gunners made it six in a row as he won his first County Hurling Championship. He also tormented defences in the Munster Club Championship with excellent performances as the Gunners bid for back to back titles came up just short.
September: Sinead Ryan
Ballymacarbry attacker Sinead Ryan kicked 1-9 in a Player of the Match performance against Comeragh Rangers as Ballymac won their thirty-eighth county title in a row. They had to come from six points down to win the trophy, eventually winning 1-14 to 0-14 in what must be the longest winning streak in Gaelic Games. It was Sinead’s seventeenth medal, which she was delighted to win alongside her sisters Michelle and Louise.
October: Kieran Bennett & Conor Murray
Kieran Bennett (Joint Winner)
Ballysaggart midfielder Kieran Bennett struck nine points from play in the Western Final win over Ardmore and added four in the County Hurling Final against Ballygunner as they earned promotion to the senior ranks. The club was just edged out by Fr. O’ Neill’s of Cork in the Munster Hurling Intermediate Final.
Conor Murray (Joint Winner)
Rathgormack’s Conor Murray played a significant part as the Comeragh outfit won their first County Senior Football Title since 1999 with a hard-fought win over Ballinacourty in Fraher Field. He played superbly in the narrow Munster Championship defeat to Clare Champions Miltown-Malbay and Conor will captain the Déise Senior footballers in 2020.
November: Conor Sheehan
It’s the first award for Conor who, in November, emerged as a critical player for Ballygunner as they continued their impressive form in the Munster Club Hurling Championship. Conor nailed down his place at wing-back and established himself as a top-quality defender with eye-catching displays in their Provincial wins over Sixmilebridge and Patrickswell. He also chipped in some vital scores throughout the season.
December: Eoin Kearns
Another first-time winner is Eoin Kearns who was awarded the final monthly award in December. He delivered a Man of the Match performance as St. Mary’s bridged a 30-year gap to win the County Junior Hurling Title, hitting eight points in the win over Ballydurn. He continued his impressive form in the Munster Club Championship as St. Mary’s defeated Castletown/Ballyagran of Limerick, as they advanced to the Munster Final for the first time in the club’s history.
