Richie Bennis has been chosen as Manager of the Year by the Munster Council.

It follows a season in which he remarkably guided the county to its first All-Ireland SH Final appearance in more than a decade. It was his wise counsel, helped by his fellow selectors, that eventually saw the county overcome Tipperary following the memorable trilogy the really made the championship season.

In what must have been a very tight call, Bennis edged out All-Ireland winning Kerry football boss Pat O'Shea (a previous Limerick MF coach) for the accolade. The winner assumed the reigns in Limerick in the Summer of 2006 after the then Joe McKenna-managed side suffered a bruising loss to neighbours Clare in a round of the qualifiers at Cusack Park, Ennis.

Only the other weekend, Bennis managed the 2007 Vodafone All-Stars to victory over the '06 side at Gaelic Park, New York.

Alan O'Connor of Ballybrown was a surprise but merited winner of the Munster Intermediate Hurling Player of the Year. Still, O'Connor – who is most likely to rejoin the county senior panel next season – scored points for fun during the Summer, most notably on a warm evening against Waterford in the provincial final at the Gaelic Grounds.

Unquestionably, O'Connor has much to offer the county senior set-up, and Bennis surely has this one-time under-age ace in his future plans.

Waterford's Dan Shanahan was unveiled as the Senior Hurler of the Year, while Darragh Ó Sé of Kerry picked-up the football equivalent.

And, Eamon Cregan has been inducted into the Munster Council's Hall of Fame.

Cregan, one of the most decorated players ever to represent Limerick, was a most deserving recipient of his award at Fitzgerald's Vienna Woods in Cork – for a great number of years, his hurling wizardry made him a people's favourite all over the country. There is nothing in the ancient game that has not been won by this famous son of Claughaun.

He starred for many years with the county, winning a coveted All-Ireland medal in 1973. Cregan also managed the flagship county side. On the club front, he was instrumental in many a county title coming to the Childers Road, and also featured prominently on the double winning teams of 1986 (Claughaun remain the last club to have won the double on Shannonside).

The Football Hall of Fame Award was presented to Monty Guiry of Waterford.

Former world champion Seams O'Carroll of Cappagh was named as Handballer of the Year, an outstanding achievement for this teenage sensation.

Limerick's representatives on the successful Munster inter-provincial hurling team were also presented with their medals.

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