Bright celebrate at annual awards night

Bright celebrate at annual awards night

29 January 2020

BRIGHT GAC celebrated in a night of glitz, glamour and GAA on Saturday at the Millbrook Lodge Hotel. 

The presentation night to celebrate the momentous 2019 season was a great success with the seniors picking up medals that Bright have been chasing for many years now in the fight for a Junior Championship.

The managers’ player of the year went to Gareth George, while Cailean Toner was voted players’ player.

Best young player was awarded to Sam Dinu with Martin Murphy jnr picking up sportsman of the year. Managers Kyran Smyth and James McEvoy have been very impressed by Marc Burke and rewarded him with the most improved player of the year.

Special recognition awards were given to Callum Laird for his appointment to the Down Minors squad and Gabriel Tumelty for representing the club as a referee for over 20 years. Paddy Mageean was given the jersey he wore in the Junior Championship final as thanks for the dedication he has shown to the club over the last year. 

Everyone from Bright would like to wish Paddy all the best on his move to Canada and we hope to see him back on the panel in a few years time.

Club person of the year was particularly hard to choose this year with so many people putting huge efforts into running the club, managing the teams and promoting vital fundraising efforts. 

The award was given to Sharon Mc Laughlin who has been raising much-needed funds for the club by helping out with Bright’s Biggest Loser, Sadie’s Circuits, the Christmas party night and many other fundraisers in 2019.

The chairperson’s recognition award was given to Angela Digney. Angela works hard within the club at every level, this year she managed a double-winning U-14 team and is currently setting up an U-16 girls’ side.

Martin Murphy senior was given much-deserved Hall of Fame status on a night that saw three generations of the Murphy family lifting awards. Martin has shown fantastic dedication to our club and county over the years and is currently managing a very successful squad of boys who won the U-16 League in 2019. 

Minor awards went to Sam Dinu (manager’s player of the year), Sean Og Burns (players’ player of the year), Aidan McEvoy (sportsperson of the year), Cillian Burns (most improved player) and Lee Murphy (young player of the year).