EAST CORK & DISTRICT SPORTS AWARDS FOR JOHN CASHMAN

John receiving the award from Patrick Shields, Manager, Midleton Park Hotel. Also pictured are Deputy Lord Mayor, Cllr Fergal Dennehy, along with Siobhan, Eoin and Darragh Cashman (courtesy Evening Echo)

What was no doubt a hectic week culminated in fitting fashion on Friday afternoon when Ballintotis native and all-round sports fan John Cashman was honoured with the East Cork & District Sports Awards, sponsored by Midleton Park Hotel, for the month of February.

At the function in the Midleton Park, John received the accolade along with the Midleton Rugby Club who were the January winners of the popular monthly awards gathering.

Mr Sean O’Sullivan, the co-ordinator of the event, said that John was “an outstanding commentator, administrator, athlete and sports fanatic who has been involved in commentating for 96 & 103FM for many years now, regular covering everything from local GAA to Munster and All-Ireland finals.

“Living in the beautiful setting of Lougaderra with his wife Siobhan and children, John is also very much involved in athletics including the Ballycotton ‘10’, the Cork City Marathon and especially his own pet project, the Ballintotis road race which had over a thousand competitors last evening. He is indeed a worthy recipient of this award for the month of February.”

In reply, John said he very much appreciated the award, although he had kept the news of it quiet during the past week in view of other activities! Saying he could “eat and drink sport," the benefits gained in enjoyment and the contacts established over the years made it all worthwhile.

Going on to thank a number of people, in particular Sean Murphy for the great success of the Ballintotis race, John concluded by saying he was dedicating the award to Siobhan, Eoin, Darragh, along with his mother at home, “for putting up with Liverpool, athletics, hurling teams and all of that through the corridors of time.”