By Sean Moriarty

The Christmas and New Year period are proving to be extra busy for Spa GAA Club.

Shane Cronin receiving the John Doyle Senior Player of the Year award from John Doyle Snr. Photo: Anne Holland

SAM: Spa's Dan O'Donoghue and Dara Moynihan received a Special Recognition award on the night from Spa Vice-Chairman Conor Gleeson. Photo: Anne Holland

WINNER: Spa Senior Ladies Player of the Year Mairead Bennett receiving her award from Ladies Chairperson Emma Daly. Photo: Anne Holland

COMMITTEE: Spa Awards Committee with the Sam Maguire Cup Andrew Garnett Anne Holland Ivor Flynn Triona Mangan and Adrian O'Sullivan.

FAMILY: Spa Social and Cultural Award winner Mairead Mangan with her family Triona Ger Ann and Shane. Photo: Anne Holland

Ger Cronin presenting the Aidan Cronin Young Player of the Year award to Timmy Moynihan. Photo: Anne Holland

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No sooner was their annual awards night completed, members are now looking forward to a visit by GAA President Larry McCarthy.

On Thursday last (December 29), the club held its annual awards ceremony at Hilliard’s on Main St.

Hosted by club legend and former Killarney town Mayor Michael Gleeson, a large crowd turned out to celebrate the achievements of club members in 2022.

Vice-Chairman Conor Gleeson stood in for Chairman Michael Cronin on the night and presented long-serving member Seamus O’Donoghue with the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award.

All-Ireland winner Mairead Mangan received the Social/Cultural Award in memory of Neilí and Tadhg O'Sullivan.

Young Player of the Year, the Aidan Cronin Award, went to Timmy Moynihan, while Oliver Cremin Mulrey received the Junior Player of the Year Award named after Pat Corcoran.

Mairead Bennett picked up the Senior Ladies Player of the Year award as chosen by her teammates.

The coveted Senior Player, named after John Doyle, was received by Shane Cronin.

“The Sam Maguire Cup made a special entrance with the help of senior players Dara Moynihan and Dan O’Donoghue,” PRO, Deirdre O’Sullivan D’Arcy, said.

“Entertainment was excellent with a piano bar and followed by Rachel O’Shaughnessy. The staff, food, and venue of Hilliard's was top-class and superb. Thanks to the hard-working committee of Andrew Garnett, Anne Holland, Adrian O'Sullivan, Ivor Flynn and Triona Mangan. A great night was had by all.”

Meanwhile, the club has announced that its Cairde Spa draw will take place at the clubhouse on February 2.

Special guest on the night will be GAA President Larry McCarthy.

The Cairde Spa draw is raising funds for the development and upgrade works at the club grounds, including a new car park, new juvenile and ladies' dressing rooms, dugouts, a skills wall, upgrades to the walking track lighting, perimeter fencing around the pitches and much more.

There are 10 amazing prizes up for grabs: 1st Prize: €15,000 - 2nd Prize: €3,000 - 3rd Prize: €2,000 - 4th Prize: €1,000 - 5th Prize: Two nights Dinner, B&B at the Killarney Park Hotel - 6th Prize: €500 Voucher for Killarney Carpets & Furniture - 7th Prize: €300 Voucher for O’Sullivan’s Cycles - 8th Prize: €250 Voucher for Killarney Oils - 9th Prize: €150 Voucher for Killarney Hardware - 10th Prize: Signed Kerry jersey.

Tickets can be obtained from Andy 087 2236754 or Deirdre 085 1216359, on spagaa.com or any club officers over the coming weeks.