Adrian Mullen guest of honour for victory celebrations
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Adrian Mullen of Kilkenny presenting Conor Williams with the joint hurler of the year award. darren keavneyImage 2 of 15
The Na Piarsaigh management team at their award ceremony last Friday night. Photos by CTM360 - Darren Keavney. darren keavneyImage 3 of 15
Kyle Carty and Conor Williams were named joint player of the year winners, while Ruairi Heffernan won the most improved player of the year. darren keavneyImage 4 of 15
The Na Piarsaigh U20 team at last Friday’s medal presentation in Castle Vara Hotel, Castlepollard. darren keavneyImage 5 of 15
Adrian Mullen from Ballyhale Shamrocks and Kilkenny senior hurling team speaking at the awards ceremony for Na Piarsaigh hurlers. darren keavneyImage 6 of 15
The Na Piarsaigh U16 team and management with the trophies from a successful year. Panel: Kyle Carty, Eoghan McHale, Shane Murray, Jamie Williams, Rory Heffernan, Conor Williams, Tom Leech, Cathal Murtagh, Lorcan Masterson, Adam Carey, Thomas Williams, Jamie Leech, Sean Murray, Luke Dowling, Adam Cully, Sam Clerkin, Michael McArdle, Padraig Whyte, Senan Corroon. darren keavneyImage 7 of 15
Ruairi Heffernan (right) is presented with the most improved player of the year award by Adrian Mullen. darren keavneyImage 8 of 15
Mick Murtagh U16 coach speaks to the gathering at the awards event last Friday evening. darren keavneyImage 9 of 15
Adam Cully presented with his medal by Adrian Mullen of Kilkenny. darren keavneyImage 10 of 15
Shane Murray accepts his medal from Adrian Mullen. darren keavneyImage 11 of 15
Tom Leech receives his medal from Adrian Mullen. darren keavneyImage 12 of 15
Cian Heffernan is presented with his medal by Kilkenny hurler Adrian Mullen. darren keavneyImage 13 of 15
Sean Murray is presented with his medal by Adrian Mullen. darren keavneyImage 14 of 15
Jamie Leech accepts his medal from Kilkenny’s Adrian Mullen. darren keavneyImage 15 of 15
Michael McArdle receiving his medal from Kilkenny’s Adrian Mullen. darren keavneyNa Piarsaigh held their 2026 Medals and Awards presentation night at Castle Varagh Hotel, Castlepollard on Friday night January 31. The 2025 season was certainly a memorable and positive one on the field of play in Westmeath for Na Piarsaigh, a successful hurling combination of the Lough Lene Gaels and Turin Hurling clubs.
Na Piarsaigh won the Under 20 Division 2 Hurling Championship, the Under 16 Division 1 Hurling Championship and the Under 14 Division 1 Hurling Championship Shield competition.
The players and team officials who achieved those successes for Na Piarsaigh in 2025, were rightly on merit, lauded acknowledged, feted, and honoured at the 2026 Na Piarsaigh Medals and Awards presentation night, where the special guest was Kilkenny hurler Adrian Mullen.
Turin and Lough Lene Gaels underage came together to form the independent team Na Piarsaigh in 2017 for age groups U12 up to U20.
The independent club was formed to ensure that the two clubs would compete at the top grades as much as possible. Gary Nolan, Chairperson Na Piarsaigh, made the opening address and thanked everyone for attending.
“Winning the U16 premier championship last year was a remarkable achievement and on a personal level, one of the most enjoyable and fulfilling days I’ve had in my years involved in hurling both as a player and as a mentor. It was this group’s first premier underage title and to win it in extra-time in what was one of the best games of hurling played in Westmeath last year in Clonkill, against Clan Na Gael, in front of the largest attendance ever at an underage final.
“It was an outstanding feat by the boys," said manager Michael Murtagh. He thanked the Na Piarsaigh committee, and in particular Gary Nolan and Johanna Farrell, secretary, who both work very hard to ensure the smooth running of the teams.
"To wrap up the summary of the year: the thing that pleased us as management the most was so many of the players saved their best performance of the year for the final. Producing it on the biggest day of the year, when it counts the most, is a really great sign for these young players.
“I have no idea how they managed to keep going all the way to the end of extra-time and finish so strongly and as I said to them in the dressing room after the game, I had no words to describe what they just did.
“They are a credit to our club and we are all so proud of them," added Michael.