On Friday evening the 24th May, Portarlington RFC held their annual Youth Awards to acknowledge the accomplishments of the Youths teams representing Portarlington and PortDara ( an amalgamation of Port RFC and Cill Dara RFC for Girls and Ladies Rugby). PortDara currently runs all girl team at u12, u14, u16 , U18 and Senior Ladies.
The evening commenced with some tag rugby followed by a BBQ before the Awards ceremony in the Clubhouse. On the night in additional to recognising the teams achievements and events, individual awards were presented at each age group for the Most Improved Player and the Player of the Team. The following were the winners on the Night.
Portarlington RFC
U14 Boys Most Improved Player – TJ Hoary
U14 Boys Player of the Year – Nathan Duffy
U16 Boys Most Improved Player – Kyle Stacy
U16 Boys Player of the Year – Tom Walsh
U18 Boys Most Improved Player – Stephen Carroll
U18 Boys Player of the Year – Jack Mallon
PortDara
U14 Girls Most Improved Player – Avril Whittle
U14 Girls Player of the Year – Sorica Murtagh
U16 Girls Most Improved Player – Clodagh Burke
U16 Girls Player of the Year – Alana Fitzpatrick
U18 Girls Most Improved Player – Laura Murphy
U18 Girls Player of the Year – Lara Gilbert
Following on from winning the Paul Cusack Cup, the winners of the individual awards for the “Falcons”, PortDara’s Senior Ladies.
Senior Ladies Most Improved Player – Celeste Cannon
Senior Ladies Player of the Year - Sarah Pickford
On the night a special presentation of a signed Leinster Jersey and TeamofDillion# sign by the Leinster Rugby team was made to Dillon Payne, a player on the U16 team who is current undergoing medical treatment. Dillon also presented Paul Mannion his coach with small gift to acknowledges his efforts in organising the Team of Dillion fund raising event in Mountmellick GAA ground which to date has raised nearly €14,000, an incredible achievements
Congratulations to all the awards recipients, the club would also like to take the opportunity to thank “everyone” all the players, coaches, parents and volunteers who contribute to ensure Youths rugby is alive and well in Portarlington. Hopefully we will see more of “everyone” around the club next season, remember “This is your Club too”