Earlier this year, Brian Corcoran spoke about his desire for an All-Ireland hurling title. "You won't be remembered if you haven't got a winner's medal," he said. "And for my own sanity, I'd hate to retire without one."

For his inspirational role with Cork in achieving that goal, Corcoran was duly honoured with the Canon Hayes National Sports Award for 1999 during Friday night's celebration of the sporting year at the Dundrum House Hotel in Tipperary.

The series of awards, which were presented in association with The Irish Times, were initiated four years ago by the Canon Hayes Recreation Centre in Tipperary town and have quickly grown into one of the most attractive of their kind in the country. The Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, was guest of honour at the banquet which was attended by a host of sporting figures from the past and present.

Nobody can argue that this was the year when Corcoran mastered his craft at the highest level. He may be viewed by many as the veteran within the young Cork side that overwhelmed Kilkenny last September, but at 26 he's got plenty of hurling days ahead of him. Right now though, the All Star award is the only piece missing from his perfect year.

The popular selection of Corcoran was only surpassed by the standing ovation given to Paul McGrath, who was the first recipient of the new all-time achievement award to recognise outstanding honours prior to the last 12 months.

More than any other player, McGrath embodies the success of the Republic of Ireland during the Jack Charlton years. He chose the victory over Italy in the 1994 World Cup as the most special moment of his career, but along with his range of achievements in English soccer, and most significantly with Manchester United and Aston Villa, McGrath will always have a place in the history of Irish sport.

Before presenting the award to McGrath, the Taoiseach reminded everyone that "for such a small country, Ireland has achieved incredible success in a number of sports around the world and continues to do so."

Unlike similar occasions, however, the Canon Hayes Awards acknowledges all levels of sporting success. The sports editor of The Irish Times, Malachy Logan, highlighted this point by explaining what it is that sets these awards apart from a lot of other sports accolades handed out at this time of the year.

"These awards are in many ways a true barometer of the year in sport," he said. "They reflect the best of all levels rather than just focusing on the stars who get constant coverage in the national newspapers and on radio and television."

With that, there was equal emphasis on the local sporting talent. For her leading role in bringing Tipperary the All-Ireland camogie title, Meadhbh Stokes was the unanimous choice for the County Award. And hammer-thrower, l Micheal Grace, from Oola was also a worthy recipient of the Local Award. Each of the winners received the specially commissioned sculptures designed by local craftsman, Jarlath Daly.

There was also a special tribute paid to Danny Noonan, the 19-year-old from Galbally, Tipperary, who was paralysed after an accident while playing in a junior rugby match for Galbally last January. The Irish Times also made a £1,000 donation to his trust fund.

Concluding the awards ceremony was the poetic introduction to Ronnie Delany, as read from the letter of local sports enthusiast John Kelly. He had chosen Delany's 1956 Olympic gold over 1500 metres in Melbourne as his sporting moment of the millennium and his vivid recollection of that occasion was selected from a competition run by the recreation centre and local radio. Forty-three years later, he got to meet his hero.

Martin Quinn, chairman of the centre's management committee and master of ceremonies for the evening, also paid special appreciation to the presence of the Taoiseach and the sponsorship of The Irish Times that have enabled them to bring these awards "to such a national platform".

Since opening in 1987, the Canon Hayes centre has developed into the most important recreational facility for Tipperary town and the surrounding Munster area. Over 3,000 people use its resources each week in addition to it being a base for a number of local clubs and county teams. It was named after John Canon Hayes, a community visionary of the 1950s who founded the Muintir Na Tire organisation while resident in Tipperary town.

For the gathering of some 350 people present at these awards, there was little doubt that the Canon Hayes centre has become a microcosm of all that is positive about sport. As the Taoiseach pointed out, occasions like this are often regrettably limited to Dublin but the memorable atmosphere of Dundrum House helped round off the perfect evening.