SPECTACULAR CL AWARDS CELEBRATION!

Thanks from Cricket Leinster all those who attended the Awards Night & Gala Dinner last night at the Round Room in the Mansion House.

With a record 360 people in attendance from 28 clubs, it was a busy night with 58 trophies, awards and cups presented by a combination of Jim Bennett (2022 President), Stella Downes (2021 President) and Pat Banahan (2023 President).

The MC for the evening was Des Cahill (RTE Sport) who did a brilliant job in ensuring a smooth operation and high levels of audience engagement throughout the event.

Our thanks to IBI Corporate Finance for their sponsorship and support - we were delighted to have Tom Godfrey (CEO IBI) present the Championship trophy to Stephen Tonge for Leinster CC. Tom then presented the IBI Corporate Finance Premier League trophy to Balbriggan CC as 2022 Champions to a standing ovation and rapturous applause.

Some key individual awards were also announced on the night including:

Volunteer of the Year:

Willie Barr (Castleknock CC)

We were all privileged to have Mary & Cliodhna Sharp on stage to present the new Volunteer of the Year award in memory of Michael Sharp who was an unrivalled and dedicated volunteer over many decades for his club, his province and his country.

The inaugural winner was announced as Willie Barr who has been instrumental in the establishment and growth of Castleknock CC who now have over 120 members having been established just over 10 years ago.

Hall of Fame:

Maureen Joyce (Merrion CC)
Fergus Carroll (Clontarf CC)

Both Maureen Joyce (Merrion CC) and Fergus Carroll (Clontarf CC) were inducted into the CL Hall of Fame. Cecelia Joyce accepted this prestigious award on behalf of her mother whilst Fergus was presented with his award on stage from Jim Bennett, again to a standing ovation from the entire room.

Fergus spoke in acknowledgment of both awards referencing our shared admiration and respect for Maureen Joyce and also humbly expressing his own gratitude for being recognised in this way.

The evening concluded with a DJ and energetic dancing - all great fun as the club cricket community celebrated a brilliant 2022 season and looked forward to the 2023 season which is now just a few weeks away!

All award winners listed below.