For the Blarney GAA Hurling Minors, their 2025 campaign was remembered as a success.  For many on a team who never won a championship or league, this was their first, winning a Mid Cork Minor Hurling Championship title at the 4G in Pairc Ui Chaoimh after a replay.

That championship success was the centrepiece of an outstanding season which saw the group develop into men as many of them progress into the Adult section of Blarney GAA.

Months on from that achievement, the medal ceremony was the opportunity to receive acknowledgement for that success. Players and management were recognised, intercounty contributions acknowledged, and an unforgettable campaign given its night in the spotlight.

Among those singled out were Captain, Tom Forrest who lead the way all year,  Colm O Riordan for his success in making the 2026 Cork Minor football panel, Aaron Condon for his glorious wonder point in Ballyanly in the first drawn final, Ivan O Sullivan for his unwavering commitment, travelling from Passage for every training and game and Niall Hayes for his consistency and great hand all year.  The most improved in the year was Darragh Rowley and the player of the year was Darragh Lawless who excelled all year around the half back line eventually settling in at centre half back.

Medals were presented by Blarney GAA and Inter County stars, Padraig Power and Shane Barrett with club chairman Colm Sheehan and club secretary Geraldine Hassett.

Their success was about more than just the silverware, though.

The management led by Humphrey Hogan steered the group brilliantly over the course of the season,  but parents, volunteers and supporters were integral to their success. The team personnel including club senior player Conor Murphy in his second year with this team deserve great praise along with the coaching officer Brian Murray.  One key development last year was the introduction of the Minor development team which kept all the players playing in Blarney GAA as the sister club in the juvenile section, Rathpeacon GAA do not have any juvenile teams or structures.  This ensured players developed at all levels. 

This Minor team of 2025 shows what the accumulation of the work put in at juvenile level at Blarney GAA can yield and what pathways lie ahead for these young players, many of whom will go on to train with and even play with the inter county players, Shane Barrett, Padraig Power and Mark Coleman in Blarney GAA.

Winning a county is what every player wants to achieve in hurling, and this team went all the way to a county final losing on a day that just wasn't theirs to be.

But for Blarney GAA, it may yet prove to be the beginning of something special with the talent that is coming down the line to follow up on this success.