Celebrations galore for Killeigh and Clara Town at CCFL awards
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Cody Fitzpatrick (Clara Town) is presented with the Men’s Young Player Merit Award by Dave Moran (President, Leinster FA) at the CCFL Awards.Image 2 of 10
Killeigh FC player, Kacey-Lee Molyneaux, is presented with the Women’s Young Player Merit Award by Dave Moran (President, Leinster FA). Photos: Ashley Cahill.Image 3 of 10
Leinster FA President Dave Moran presents Leslie Buckley (Offaly Branch ISRS) with the CCFL Referee Appreciation Award.Image 4 of 10
Dave Moran (President Leinster FA) presents a Special Appreciation Award to Martin Cunningham and Alan Kelly of Tullamore Town.Image 5 of 10
Paul Malone (Chairperson, CCFL) and Paul Cooke (President, FAI) make a presentation to Finbarr O’Callaghan to congratulate Edenderry Town FC on their 100th anniversary.Image 6 of 10
Willie Healy and Tony Hurley (CCFL) present the Women’s Division 1, Women’s Cup, Women’s Shield, U18 Women’s Premier Division, U18 Women’s Cup and U19 Division 1 to Killeigh FC.Image 7 of 10
Paul Malone (Chairperson, CCFL) presents the Paddy Cotter Cup, Division 4 Cup and U17 Division 1 trophy to Clara Town.Image 8 of 10
Clara Town’s Bobby Bracken (centre) receives the Frank O’Connell Hall of Fame Award from Paul Cooke (President, FAI) and Paul Malone (Chairperson, CCFL). Photos: Ashley CahillImage 9 of 10
Paul Cooke (President, FAI) and Paul Malone (Chairperson, CCFL) present Clara Town with the CCFL Club of the Year 2025/26 Award.Image 10 of 10
Paul Cooke (President, FAI) and Paul Malone (Chairperson, CCFL) present Killeigh FC with the Club of the Decade 2016-2026 Award.Offaly clubs had plenty of cause for celebration at the Combined Counties Football League awards held in the Bridge House Hotel, Tullamore last Friday night.
Clara Town FC was chosen for the Club of the Year award, while Killeigh FC received the Club of the Decade accolade for 2016/2016. On the only previous occasion that the Club of the Decade award was handed out, Willow Park was the recipient and this time it was Killeigh’s turn to be honoured.
Killeigh enjoyed a fruitful 2025/2026 season, winning the Women’s Division 1, the Under-18 Women’s Division, the Women’s Cup, the Women’s Shield and the Under-18 Women’s Cup. The club also claimed the men’s Under-19 Division 1 title.
In addition, the Women’s Young Player Merit award went to Killeigh with Kacey-Lee Molyneaux the player selected.
It was also a memorable night for Clara Town, with club stalwart Bobby Bracken honoured with the Frank O’Connell Hall of Fame award, while 16-year-old Cody Fitzpatrick was chosen for the Men’s Young Player Merit award.
Over the course of the 2025/2026 season, Clara Town won the Paddy Cotter Cup, Under-17 Division 1 and the Division 4 Cup.
Tullamore Town FC’s U-16 team was chosen for a Special Appreciation award by virtue of their SFAI Cup success, with the team captained by Evan Doran.
Tullamore Town was also presented with trophies for winning the Under-17 Premier Division, the Denis Delaney Division 2 Cup and the Ita Farrell Under-17 Cup.
The Referee Appreciation award went to Offaly’s Leslie Buckley (Offaly branch, ISRS), while Edenderry Town FC was acknowledged for being 100 years in existence when they were presented with trophies for winning the Under-19 Premier Division and Under-19 Cup.
Killavilla United, based near the Offaly/Tipperary border, received the Division 1 league trophy, while Gracefield United won the Division 4A title.
There was a poignant moment on the night when the late Adrian Freeman of Abbeyleix Athletic was announced as the recipient of the Contribution to Football award. Members of Adrian’s family were present on the night to accept the award as tributes were paid to his sterling contribution.
Stradbally Town’s Ciaran ‘Nelly’ O’Neill, who died last January aged just 23, and former Rosenallis player Willie Murray were also remembered on the night.
The Men’s Senior Player Merit award went to Ryan Gaffey of CCFL Senior Division champions Willow Park, with Karen Irwin of Women’s Division winners Bealnamulla chosen for the equivalent women’s award.
The Bealnamulla contingent on the night included Roscommon Rose Rebecca Collins who will represent her county in this year’s Rose of Tralee International Festival.
The guest of honour on the night was FAI President Paul Cooke, with Leinster FA President Dave Moran also in attendance.
Long-serving CCFL secretary and Kilcormac native, Chris Hand acted as MC on the night, while CCFL chairperson Paul Malone was also among the speakers on what was an enjoyable night in Tullamore.
CCFL award winners 2025/2026 season