Cork’s Cahalane GAA clan honoured with ‘Dermot Earley Family Award’

The ceremony will be broadcast by TG4 this Friday night and will also acknowledge figures from each province and the many sectors of the GAA.

Niall Cahalane, Cork's two-time All-Ireland football title winner, and his wife Ailish have seven children who all play for three clubs across the four codes, Castlehaven, St Finbarr's and Éire Óg.

Niall himself was renowned as one of the toughest defenders of this or any era and also won All-Ireland football titles at minor and U-21 level.

Sons Damien, Conor, and Jack all play hurling with St Finbarrs and football with Castlehaven, Niall's home club in west Cork where he was one of five brothers on the team that made a Cork SFC breakthrough in 1993. Three of Ailish's brothers (Clearys) were also on that team.

Damien, Conor and Jack were part of the Castlehaven team that won the Munster club football title last December.

Their sisters Maebh, Gráinne, Orlaith, and Kate, all play camogie for St.Finbarrs GAA, with Kate currently playing for the 'Barrs at underage level. Gráinne plays ladies football with Finbarrs, while Maebh, Orlaith, and Kate all represent the Éire Óg club in Ovens.

Maebh, Gráinne and Orlaith are current members of the Cork senior camogie panel with Maebh and Orlaigh All-Ireland winners last August.

The provincial awards go to Ann Lindsay (Ulster), a member of the Steelstown Brian Ógs club in Derry, Seán O'Shea (Munster), a Carrick Swans (Tipperary) stalwart as player and administrator, Tom Nally (Connacht) from St Michael's in Galway and David Ormonde (Leinster) for his work in establishing Na Fianna Clonard in Wexford town his stewarding commitments at Chadwicks Wexford Park.

Mary O'Connor, from the St Brigid's club in Dublin and the county's current secretary, receives the LGFA award, Patsy Hetherton is camogie recipient, honouring her commitment to so many roles at club, provincial and national level and as a player with St Vincent's and Dublin while Paula Clarke, from the Killyclogher GAA handball club in Tyrone, is honoured with the handball award.

Séamus Mac Ruairí, wins the Irish award for his dedication to the language and to his club, Naomh Muire, Íochtar na Rosann in Donegal.

The 'education' winner is Jerry Grogan of Cumann na mBunscoil. Originally from Cahersiveen in Kerry, Jerry has spent most of his life living in Dublin, and first got involved in Cumann na mBunscoil Áth Cliath when he accepted a teaching post in Holy Trinity, Donaghmede. He served as chairman from 1984-86 and subsequently was appointed PRO, a post he still holds today. Jerry is also known for his role as stadium announcer in Croke Park.

Saudia Arabia-based Patrick Moynagh is the International Award recipient in appreciation of his efforts in growing Gaelic games in the Middle East. Involved with the Naomh Alee clubs in Riyadh, he is a former chairman of the Middle East board.