Kilkenny hurling legend Brian Cody had a busy night at the Marine Hotel Ballycastle on Saturday where he, and his wife Elsie, were chief guests of the McQuillan’s club, who held their awards dinner for the first time in three years, following the pandemic.
Presentations were made to Players of the Year for 2021 and 2022, but the main presentation of the evening was to the 1980 team who were the first Antrim team to qualify for an All Ireland Club Hurling final, where they lost out narrowly to Castlegar of Galway at Pairc Tailltain in Navan, on Sunday 1st June.
In the semi-final they had beaten Crumlin of Dublin by 3-9 to 0-8 in Croke Park with a powerful performance. Despite this display they were rank outsiders in the Dublin media going into the final but they pushed the Galway champions all the way, trailing by just a point at half time, before losing out by three 1-11 to 1-8.
Sady there were a few ot the team unable to make it on the night. Phelim Watson sadly died last year while leading scorer on the day Paul Porky Boyle and sub on the team Brendan Bear Donnelly are now resident in the USA. Midfield stylist Terence Barton is now resident in England.
Brian Cody makes a presentation to 1980 All Ireland Club final goalkeeper Paul SmythBrian Cody makes a presentation to 1980 All Ireland Club final defender Kevin ‘Ginger’ BoyleBrian Cody makes a presentation to 1980 All Ireland Club final defender Seamus ‘Killer’ DonnellyBrian Cody makes a presentation to 1980 All Ireland Club final defender Dessie DonnellyBrian Cody makes a presentation to 1980 All Ireland Club final defender and team captain Kevin DonnellyBrian Cody makes a presentation to 1980 All Ireland Club final defender Gerard ‘Fish’ McAuleyBrian Cody makes a presentation to 1980 All Ireland Club final nidfielder Stephen ‘Dingus’ BoyleBrian Cody makes a presentation to 1980 All Ireland Club final forward Micky DallatBrian Cody makes a presentation to 1980 All Ireland Club final forward Peter DallatBrian Cody makes a presentation to 1980 All Ireland Club final forward Eddie DonnellyBrian Cody makes a presentation to 1980 All Ireland Club final forward Brian DonnellyBrian Cody with his good friend Fr Raymond Fulton, who is chairman of the McQuillan’s club. The two first met at St Kieran’s College in Kilkenny where Fr Raymond was in the seminary studying for the priesthood and Brian was starting what was to become one of the greatest hurling careers in history, among his achievements, captaining the St Kieran’s side to Hogan Cup glory in 1971. Overall he collected 11 All Irelands, 18 Leinster Championships, 10 National Leagues, 7 Walsh Cups and 1 Oireachtas which makes a staggering 47 trophies Ballycastle Division 3 Camogs, who won the Junior Development League & Championship in 2022, are seen here with Geust of Honour Brian Cody at the club’s awards night in the Marine HotelGuest of honour Brian Cody presents a Joe McDonagh Cultural award to the club’s Cultural Officer Patricia McAuley at the Ballycastle McQuillan’s awards dinner in the Marine Hotel.Brian Cody presents the Junior Development League & Championship trophies to team Captain Gráinne Hunter (left) and Vice Captain Eimear Donnelly.Junior Team Captain Gráinne Hunter & Vice Captain Eimear Donnelly present a bouquet of flowers to club secretary Ciara McKendry at the Ballycastle dinnerBrian Cody presents the 2021 Minor Hurler of the Year award to James Bakewell.2021 Minor Camogie Player of the Year
Riana McBride receives her award from Brian CodyBrian Cody presents the 2021 Under 16 Camogie Player of the Year award to Shannagh Heggarty2021 Senior Reserve Camogie Player of the Year
Fay McIntosh receives her award from Brian CodyBrian Cody presents the 2021 Footballer of the Yea award to Leona McKeirnan who accepted it on behalf of her son Fergal, who was unable to attend as he was Hurling with UUJ)Brian Cody presented the 2021 Senior Hurler of the Year award to Conor BoydDarragh Kelly accepted the 2022 Most Improved Minor Hurler award on behalf of his cousin Fionn MullanBrian Coday presented the 2022 Minor Hurler of the Year award to Orann DonnellyBrian Cody presented the 2022 Minor Camogie Player of the Year award to Fay McIntoshU20 Hurling Player of the Year for 2022 Joe McToal receives the award from Brian Cody.Junior Camogie Most Improved Player 2022
Laura Dallas receives from Brian CodyJunior Camogie Player of the Year 2022
Gráinne Hunter receis her award from Brian CodyLorcan Donnelly received the Junior Hurling Most Improved Player 2022 on behalf of his brother Oisín DonnellySenior Reserve Camogie Player of the Year 2022
Cliodhna Donnelly receives her award from Brian CodySenior Reserve Hurling Player of the Year 2022
James Bakewell receives his award from Brian CodyBrian Cody presents the 2022 Footballer of the Year award to Eoin MageeBrian Cody presents the Senior Camogie Player of the Year 2022 award to Maria DonnellySenior Hurling Most Improved Player 2022
Oisín McAuley receives his award from Brian CodySenior Hurling Player of the Year 2022
Conor Boyd receives his award from Brian CodyThe McQuillan’s club committee with guest of honour Brian CodyAll Stars. Brian Cody with McQuillan’s legend Paul McKillen Brian with Club president Robbie Elliott, who played for a Rest of Ireland team (a forerunner to the All Stars) in Croke Park back in 1954, is still in fine form in his 92nd year. Club legend John Sparrow Harkin has a warm welcome for Brian Brian with club secretary Ciara McKendry and her husband Martin Barry Kelly and Ciara McKendry make presentations to Brian and Elsie Cody in appreciation of them travelling up from Kilkenny to the be chief guests at the McQuillan’s GAC dinner dance in the Marine Hotel. Elsie was a noted camogie player who won three All Ireland medals with WexfordBarry Kelly presents a cheque for £500 to John McIlwaine of the Saffron Gael. Many thanks to the McQuillan’s club for their contined support.
