JAMIE Shanahan hasn’t forgotten his Skibbereen roots. It’s home, and where his rugby story began.

These days he lives in Ballincollig, works at Apple, and plays his club rugby with Highfield in the city, but the pull of Skibb will always be there.

So, when Shanahan received a West Cork Sports Star monthly award at the Celtic Ross Hotel in Rosscarbery, he wasn’t too far from home, and from his first club that shaped his rugby journey.

‘Skibbereen has been massive for me. I played all my underage rugby there. We had a very strong group coming through – we were in Munster finals regularly and even jointly won an All-Ireland U18 and a half final,’ explained Shanahan, who was being honoured for captaining Highfield to their first Munster Senior Cup success in 58 years.

‘There’s a huge amount of talent coming out of Skibbereen. You only have to look at the Coombes brothers (Gavin and Liam) and others involved with Munster and Highfield.

‘There’s a good West Cork contingent up there now – we’ve Dave and Liam McCarthy with Highfield.

‘So while this is an individual honour, you always bring it back to Skibbereen as well.’

Highfield RFC captain Jamie Shanahan with his West Cork Sports Star award. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

Shanahan points to the West Cork influence at Highfield, as brothers Dave and Liam McCarthy are from Castlehaven, while Travis Coomey came through the ranks at Clonakilty Rugby Club. It’s just one example of how West Cork rugby is growing.

The Skibb man received his award on a Monday evening, and the days beforehand showed just how far rugby in the region has come. Coláiste Pobail Bheanntraí were crowned Munster Schools Girls Junior Cup champions for the first time, Rosscarbery’s John Hodnett scored a record-equalling four tries for Munster in a URC win, while Skibbereen’s Abbie Salter-Townshend and Rossmore’s Caoimhe Murphy started for the UL Bohs team that won the Energia All-Ireland League final. At all levels, rugby is on an upward trajectory.

Jamie Shanahan receives his monthly award from Ann Downey, general manager Celtic Ross Hotel. Also included, from left: Rachel O'Connell, C103, Helen Wycherley and Kieran McCarthy, Southern Star Sports Editor. (Photo: Martin Walsh)

‘West Cork rugby has come on massively,’ Shanahan agrees.

‘When I was growing up, it felt like you had to go to one of the big rugby schools to get noticed. That might still be the case to a degree, but the talent coming out of clubs like Skibbereen and Clonakilty is very impressive.

‘The underage structures have laid great foundations, and we’re seeing that now with players competing at a high level in 1A and 1B. It’s great to see, and it’s something we’re all proud of.’

Shanahan (25), fresh from winning the Munster Senior Cup, is hoping there’s more to come in his own story.

When he finished up with Skibb, he played with Garryowen for three years, before joining Highfield when he moved back to Cork. It’s a move that has worked out, as he was elevated to captain in the season they finally recaptured the Munster Senior Cup.

Highfield captain Jamie Shanahan lifts the trophy.

Looking forward to his fourth season with the club, the hope is their cup success can be a platform for more glory days.

‘We’ve definitely taken a step forward this year. The aim now is to build on that, add a bit more depth, and push on again next season,’ he said.

‘Promotion to Division 1A is a big goal for the club and the players, but at the same time, going back-to-back in the Munster Senior Cup would be something we’d love as well. For now, we’ll enjoy the break and then get stuck into pre-season.’

But before he said goodbye to last season, receiving a West Cork Sports Star monthly award offered a moment to reflect, and to share it with those who supported him all the way. And Skibb was firmly in his mind.