By Chris Karas
Life is rewarding for Mackay’s emerging rugby league playmaker Adam McSherry.
The fifteen-year-old St Patrick’s College student capped a memorable 2023 when he received the Caleb Woodland Memorial Award for the dedication and courage shown during an eventful campaign this season.
McSherry accepted the trophy at the Junior Sports Award ceremony staged at the College’s Mercy campus from graduating St Patrick’s student and Queensland Schoolboys hooker Xavier Kerrisk.
It has been a year to savour for the outstanding utility half who was one of the shooting stars in Tom Gaviglio’s all-conquering Year 10 St Patrick’s team that captured both the Cowboys Challenge Shield premiership and State Regional Championship trophies at BB Print Stadium.
McSherry played a key role in the 24-10 Cowboys Challenge Grand Final triumph over Ignatius Park Townsville and was a standout when St Patrick’s thumped Rockhampton’s Emmaus College 44-0 in the State Regional Championship decider seven days later to preserve their undefeated record.
The classy colt menaced the Rockhampton defence with his tricky footwork and clever ball skills, nabbed a superb solo try and booted three goals in a stellar performance.
Adam was just as impressive for the Mackay Brothers club – steering the Bulldogs to an Under 15s premiership in the Mackay Junior League competition.
Creating havoc with his ball play in the number six jumper, McSherry engineered a 34-26 Grand Final victory over the Moranbah Miners at BB Print Stadium - turning in a best on ground performance with two tries and five goals.
The Brisbane Broncos identified Adam as a top prospect from an early age.
He was named in their Academy squad at the age of thirteen and secured his immediate future earlier this year when he signed a contract with the prominent NRL club.
A dedicated McSherry was thrilled to receive the Award that perpetuates the memory of 14-year-old Caleb Woodland, a Year 8 student at Mercy College Mackay, who had his life tragically cut short when he was involved in a road accident in Sarina back in 2011 on his way to catching the school bus.
Outstanding rugby league prospect Adam McSherry receives the Caleb Woodland Memorial Trophy from St Patrick’s graduate and Queensland Schoolboys hooker Xavier Kerrisk, who joins the North Queensland Cowboys in 2024
