GAA World - Down - Castlewellan GAC

Club Person of the year 2003

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Barney Cunningham
compiled by Ciarán Crilly

Mrs Anne Owens left and Kevan Owens centre presenting the Anne Owens Memorial Club Person of the Year Trophy to 2003 winner Barney Cunningham

Since his return form New York in the early1990’s Barney Cunningham has been one of our most dedicated Committee members whose first love is coaching of underage players and he has over the years managed every underage team up to and including minors.

2003 has undoubtedly been Barney’s most successful year to date and the time that he give in terms of coaching and managing teams has paid dividends for our Club bringing us success at Feis an Dúin with our Minor Seven-a-side team winning the competition. Under his management the Minor Footballers also won the AC Minor B Championship and they were also the League runners up.

As if that wasn’t enough Barney also took on the management of our Senior Ladies team assisted by Catorina Morgan, Roisin Keown and Paul Lynch. Under Barney’s inspired leadership the ladies started the league campaign in a positive manner and left nobody in any doubt that they would do one better than last year and go on to win the League rather than settle for runners up. Not only did they win the league in convincing fashion but they then went on to win the town’s ladies second Championship title in great style beating holders Bredagh 4.06 to 2.05. In the Ulster Championship the Town girls went down narrowly to Cavan side Knockbride and left nobody in any doubt that this young team will continue to be a force to be reckoned with. Barney Cunningham made a huge contribution to prepare these girls and for instilling in them the belief that they had the ability to become County Champions and much more.

In addition to all of the above Barney also makes time to attend every Committee meeting and to make a positive contribution to every debate and continuously advocates for greater underage coaching aids and for more assistance in Youth Development.