Ladies Football Manager of the Month

Noel O'Connor is the Bord Gáis Energy / Irish Daily Star
Ladies Football Manager of the League 2011

At a ceremony in Croke Park during the week Cork's Noel O'Connor was announced as the Bord Gáis Energy / Irish Daily Star Manager of the League 2011 after leading Cork to the Bord Gáis Energy NFL Division 1 title for the fourth year running.

Many people questioned how Cork would bounce back from defeats to Tyrone in last year's Championship and indeed to Monaghan in the early rounds of this year's League - but the Leesiders, under O'Connor's stewardship, answered any questions emphatically as they claimed another Division 1 title.

While the four in a row may have made the headlines, their victories were all the more remarkable for the manner in which they were won. Goals in particular were not in short supply and they even managed to score four in the Final against a very determined Laois outfit.

At the awards ceremony in Croke Park, a delighted Noel was quick to thank those around him, "I am delighted to accept this but I do so on behalf of a wonderful backroom team.

This is for Eamon Ryan, Justin McCarthy and Frankie Honohan as much as for me. Eamon has been coaching the team eight years and I suppose my role is just to facilitate and bring together all the good work that we all do behind the scenes. Credit must also go to the players, without their attitude and their efforts, none of this would be possible and I thank them all."

Ger Cunningham, Sports Sponsorship Manager, Bord Gáis Energy, said, "Noel and his team continue to do an outstanding job at the helm of the Cork ladies football team and Bord Gáis Energy is delighted to be able to recognise their successes in this way. They have thrown down the gauntlet this year again in the League and no doubt will be ones to watch once more in the Championship."

Clare Manager David O'Brien Awarded the Bord Gáis Energy /Irish Daily Star
Ladies Football Manager of the Month for May

Clare manager David O'Brien has been awarded the Bord Gáis Energy / Irish Daily Star Manager of the Month for May. David was in Croke Park to collect his award, a Galway Crystal trophy and a set of sports books, compliments of the Bord Gáis Energy Online Book Club, to mark his outstanding success with the Clare ladies this season.

Having guided the Banner county to the Bord Gáis Energy National League Division 3 Final, David then masterminded a superb victory over an unbeaten and much fancied Fermanagh side as Clare held out for a memorable four point victory in Parnell Park. Their 3-10 to 1-12 victory was full of attacking football and their ability to get their goals at crucial times in the second half proved to be the difference. The win sets Clare up nicely for Championship 2011 and also ensures they play Division 2 football in 2012 – a title they last won in 2008.

Accepting his award a delighted David commented: "I am delighted to accept this award but I genuinely believe that this acknowledges the work of 36 people involved with the Clare Ladies Football team – from players to management and support staff. This is in recognition of all their hard work. It is certainly nice to get individual recognition, but as part of any team, if all the individuals don't do their bit, then there are no rewards at the end. This is a lovely way to end the year for me personally but it is a reflection on the work of 36, not one."

Speaking at the award presentation, Ger Cunningham, Sports Sponsorship Manager, Bord Gáis Energy, said, "I'd like to send my congratulations to David on a fantastic achievement. He and his team are very deserving of this award and hopefully Clare can continue to spur on the growth of ladies football in that county. It was a great final at Parnell Park and no doubt it will help drive them in their Championship bid. "

Press Release
Friday, 6th May, 2011

Westmeath Managers Peter Leahy and Alan Mangan Awarded the Bord Gáis Energy /Irish Daily Star
Ladies Football Manager of the Month for April

Westmeath joint managers Peter Leahy and Alan Mangan have been awarded the Bord Gáis Energy / Irish Daily Star Manager of the Month for April.  The pair were presented in Croke Park this week with Galway Crystal trophies and a set of sports books, compliments of the Bord Gáis Energy Online Book Club, to mark their outstanding successes with the Westmeath ladies this season.

Peter and Alan's achievements with Westmeath were recognised just ahead of their historic victory over Roscommon in the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies NFL division 4 final. It is the first ever title for the Westmeath ladies footballers and meant that they were unbeaten throughout the 2011 league. Up until that win, they had scored 19 goals in eight matches and then defeated the 2009 division 3 champions, Roscommon, by 1-11 to 2-6 despite being behind at the half time whistle.

"We are absolutely delighted with this award and to have our achievements recognised even before winning the league title is really gratifying," said Alan Mangan. "Certainly we accept it on behalf of the whole team and staff who have been fantastic throughout the season to date. The girls have put in a tireless effort and hopefully the success will help us sustain that through the Championship."

Speaking at the award presentation, Ger Cunningham, Sports Sponsorship Manager, Bord Gáis Energy, said, "Peter and Alan have done a huge service to ladies football in Westmeath. For the team to win their first ever title is a fantastic achievement and this is a significant step in developing the game in the county and its surrounds.  I hope they can continue to build on this success and that this is a real turning point for Westmeath."

Press Release
Friday, 8th April, 2011

Monaghan Manager Gregory McGonagle is the Bord Gáis Energy / Irish Daily Star
Ladies Football Manager of the Month for March

Gregory McGonagle has been awarded the Bord Gáis Energy / Irish Daily Star Manager of the Month award for March. He was presented in Croke Park this week with a Galway Crystal trophy and a set of sports books, compliments of the Bord Gáis Energy Online Book Club, to mark his achievement.

Gregory took over the helm at Monaghan at the start of this year and they are so far unbeaten in the Bord Gáis Energy League division one. The Farney ladies are now set to face Laois in the semi final on 17th April, with the hope of reaching their first League final since 2001.

Monaghan have averaged two goals a game in the season to date and in their last match beat free-scoring Donegal 3-14 to 1-7 to secure their finish at the top of division one.

"This is an award that reflects great work from the whole team from players to backroom staff to the medical personnel we have on board. It is also a reflection on the great cooperation we have received from the Monaghan County Board and in particular with regard to making the facilities available to us in Cloughan" said Gregory.

"We said at the start of the year that all we were looking to do was to improve on last year and everybody has contributed to that improvement and hopefully that will continue for a few more months" said Gregory.

Speaking at the award presentation, Ger Cunningham, Sports Sponsorship Manager, Bord Gáis Energy, said, "Monaghan have been there or thereabouts in the League over the past few years and have really taken a step up to pushing for silverware in the last two or three years in particular. With Cork and Donegal on the other side of the draw, we're certainly set for a hugely competitive final whatever the outcome.

"I'd like to congratulate Gregory on his achievements with Monaghan so far this year- he has certainly positioned them as ones to watch during the summer and no doubt other pretenders to the title will be keeping a keen eye on them as a team to beat."

Joint Managers Darren Boyle & Emmet Curry are the Bord Gáis Energy /
Irish Daily Star Ladies Football Manager of the Month for February

Fermanagh joint-managers Darren Boyle and Emmet Curry have been awarded the first Bord Gáis Energy / Irish Daily Star Manager of the Month award of 2011.  They were awarded with a Galway Crystal trophy and a set of sports books compliments of the Bord Gáis Energy Online Book Club.

The duo took over the job of managing the Fermanagh ladies this year and, after a disappointing Championship showing last summer, are so far unbeaten in the Bord Gáis Energy Ladies National Football League Division 3.  

So far, they have notched up victories over Junior All-Ireland Champions Limerick, beating them on their own turf by an emphatic 4-15 to 0-7, Wicklow, who also conceded four goals against them, and most recently Longford.

“I’m delighted to accept this award on behalf of my co-manager Emmet and the rest of the management team,” said Darren. “We’re all proud to have been honoured in this way and it is a real tribute to the performances the team have put in on the pitch since the start of the year.”

Speaking at the award presentation, Ger Cunningham, Sports Sponsorship Manager, Bord Gáis Energy, said, “We’re delighted to be running this award scheme for managers again this year with the Irish Daily Star and congratulations to both Darren, Emmet and all the coaching staff at Fermanagh. They have had a terrific start to the year and hopefully they’ll go one to reap further awards later in the year.”

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