Plenty to celebrate at annual CCFL awards night

Celebration was in the air for a number of local clubs at the annual Combined Counties Football League awards function in Tullamore on Friday night, particularly St Peter's and Temple Villa.

Considering that St Peter's won a treble of coveted trophies last season - the Senior Division league title, the Combined Counties Cup and the Paddy Cotter Cup - it was hardly surprising that the Athlone outfit was chosen as Club of the Year.

The announcement of the Club of the Year is always one of the highlights of the annual awards night, with other factors as well as success on the field taken into account in deciding the winner. Indeed, St Peter's have big plans to develop their McCarthy Park base on the west side of Athlone.

The celebrations for the green and white army didn't end there, with long-serving defender Scott Delaney chosen for the Men's Senior Player Merit award. In addition to carrying out his defensive duties, the Offaly native also came up trumps with a number of vital goals for St Peter's. Delaney has also been an influential footballer for Shamrocks in the Offaly GAA scene.

Temple Villa also enjoyed a night to remember with club stalwart PJ Allen honoured with the Frank O'Connell Hall of Fame award. PJ has served Temple Villa for many years in various capacities, in addition to his contribution to underage soccer with the ADSL from refereeing to administration.

The Mount Temple club could also reflect with pride at winning the Division 1 league title and the Michael Dolan Cup Division 1 Cup. Temple Villa are set to compete in the CCFL's top flight, the Senior Division, next season.

The Referee Appreciation Award went to a very deserving recipient in Ray Conlon. The respected Athlone referee has inspired so many people with the courageous way he has dealt with his cancer diagnosis and, having undergone life-saving surgery, he took part in the Limerick Marathon earlier this year in order to raise valuable funds for the Irish Cancer Society.

Ray was accompanied at the awards night by his partner Arlene Kelly, who was a rock of support during his battle with serious illness. Martin Hatchett, a close friend of Ray's from the refereeing fraternity, was also present on the night.

Mark Mulligan, a hugely popular figure closely associated with Monksland United and St Joseph's FC, was chosen for the International Recognition Award based on his achievement of representing Ireland at the World Dwarf Games in Germany.

A Special Appreciation award was presented to Inny FC for their national success in winning the SFAI Under-14 Cup. The award was accepted by team manager Garry Doyle and coach Tommy Keena (also well known for his GAA involvement with Ballynacargy among other teams). The Mullingar-based RFA Swans were also honoured with a Special Appreciation award.

Mullingar Athletic striker Nathan Scally (18) was selected as the Young Player Merit Award winner, while the Fair Play Award went to Offaly outfit Cappakeel United, newcomers to the CCFL last season.

North Tipperary outfit Ballymackey won the Club Merit Award, with one of their key players, Lisa Toohey, chosen for the Women's Player Merit award. Ballymackey won the Women's Division and CCFL Women's Cup double in the 2024-2025 season.

The Contribution to Football award went to Jimmy Kelly, the Mountrath native who played an instrumental role in the formation of the CCFL.

Another highlight of the night was the surprise appearance of Conor Moore. The brilliant Westmeath mimic was undoubtedly one of the most popular guests at any CCFL awards night, as was shown by the amount of people who dashed forward to have a photo taken with him as soon as possible.

Moore arrived on stage in the guise of Tommy Tiernan, also regaling the audience with impressions of associated figures such as Ronan O'Gara, Donald Trump, Roy Keane, Davy Fitzgerald and Jurgen Klopp.

In addition to CCFL chairman Kevin Egan and honorary secretary Chris Hand, LFA President Dave Moran was among the speakers on the night, with the Bridge House Hotel once again pulling out all the stops as hosts.

Award winners

Men's Player Merit Award: Scott Delaney (St Peter's).

Women's Player Merit Award: Lisa Toohey (Ballymackey FC).

Young Player Merit Award: Nathan Scally (Mullingar Athletic).

Frank O'Connell Hall of Fame: PJ Allen (Temple Villa).

Contribution to Football: James Kelly.

Club Merit Award: Ballymackey FC.

Fair Play Award: Cappakeel United.

Referee Appreciation Award: Ray Conlon.

International Recognition Award: Mark Mulligan.

Special Appreciation awards (two): Inny FC Under-14 boys; RFA Swans.

Club of the Year: St Peter's FC.