OVER 300 people attended the 27th Carlow GAA awards night which took place in the Mount Wolseley on Saturday.
Among the specials guests was Leinster Council chairman John Horan who revealed the night was his last public engagement before Carlow man Jim Bolger takes over from him at next Saturday’s Leinster convention at the same venue.

Kevin Regan from KCLR presents the senior hurler of the year award to Seamus Murphy of St Mullins Photos: Tommy Murphy, Pat Ahern and Stephen Byrne

Carlow county board chairman Sean Campion reminisced on what was a significant year for the county.
“Congress was a huge event,” he noted while he also referred to the re-enactment of the 1916 county finals and the switching on of the new floodlights in Netwatch Cullen Park.

Frank McGarry from Hughes Sculptors presents the senior footballer of the year award to Palatine’s Conor Lawlor

He paid tribute to all players and members of management who represented the county this year.
He also congratulated Carlow camogie on their achievement in winning the All-Ireland Premier junior title.
Seamus Murphy was chosen as senior hurler of the year while Palatine’s Conor Lawlor was the senior football recipient.

Bernard Horohan of Tile N Style presents the camogie award to Ciara Mullins of Myshall

Murphy was part of the St Mullins team which won their third senior county title in a row in 2016. “It means a lot to us,” he told MC Brendan Hennessy.
It was a magnificent year for Lawlor who was winning a second senior title in a row with Palatine.
“It is always nice to get recognised individually, but it was a team effort,” said the big defender.

Veronica Dobbs of Dobb’s Oil, Tullow, presents the ladies football award to Leah Mullins of Bennekerry/Tinryland

Hall of Fame recipient Joe Nolan was overcome with emotion as he accepted his award.
“Some great players have won this award and I am so proud to follow in their footsteps,” he said while he thanked and paid tribute to Margaret, his wife of 55 years.