Belvedere Times

Rewarding Work

Domhnall Courtney, Rugby Player

In front of a packed and enthusiastic crowd of Elements students in the Sports Hall on Thursday, 25th March the Annual First Year Rugby Awards ceremony took place.

Following on from a hugely successful Cooke Cup festival the previous Saturday, when Under-13 rugby was shown to be exceptionally strong this year, these awards showed that the massive popularity of rugby continues in the College.

The awards reflect the work of all players this year and are a reward for all players who participated in rugby and games throughout the year. This was stressed in the speech from Elements coach Mr Stuart Wheeler who, in an entertaining address, invoked the spirit of past winners such as recent Irish internationals Cian Healy and Ian Keatley.

Mr Wheeler paid tribute to the efforts of a fantastic group of coaches, including Mr Kelly and Mr O’Sullivan. Also past pupils who contributed hugely, Chappie McGowan, Hugo Whelan, Johnny McDevitt, Matt D’Arcy, Adrian D’Arcy, Jim Briscoe, Ken Fernee and Sean McAuley.

The ceremony was attended by staff members, including coach Mr O’Sullivan and many of the past pupil coaches involved this year, as well as Fr. Jim Culliton and the Gamesmaster Mr. Andrew Wood.  All First Year students were delighted to find out the following recipients of trophies:

Coaches' Player of the Year: Sean Long Kenny

Most Improved Player: Andrew Hynes Finlay

Players Player of the Year: Andrew McClean Xavier

Panel 1 Player of the Year A: Fionn Dillon-Kelly Aylmer

Panel 1 Player of the Year B: Dean Delaney Scully

Panel 2 Player of the Year C: Jack Higgins Finlay

Panel 2 Player of the Year D: Ryan McDonagh Xavier

Panel 3 Player of the Year E: David Johnston Kenny

Panel 3 Player of the Year F: Eoin Sweeney Finlay

In a straw poll carried out at the end of the ceremony, all students said they were hugely enjoying the rugby and looked forward to next season already!