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TENNENT'S/UGAAWA MONTHLY MERIT AWARD
April 2007

Brian received his award from Seamus Horisk, Regional Controller West NI, at a function in the Ulster Brewery.
© Houston Green Photography

With eight national titles arriving in Ulster during April 2007, the Ulster GAA Writers had a broad base from which to select their Tennent’s Merit Award winner for the month.

However, the arguments were not as keen as might have been expected as it boiled down to two candidates – Donal Murtagh who piloted Crossmaglen Rangers to victory in the All-Ireland SFC Club final replay and Brian McIvor who led Donegal to success in the National Football League.

Two magnificent achievements, without doubt, and rather difficult to separate. Murtagh won championship medals as a player and now has proved his worth as a manager. McIvor took Donegal out of Div.2 last year and this season walked them unbeaten to the top of Div.1.

In the end the honour goes to BRIAN McIVOR who doesn’t need a map to show him the way to the Ulster Brewery for the presentation. Brian has been here twice already this season in support of two of his award-winning players and back in April 2002 he received the Monthly Merit Award after leading Ballinderry to All-Ireland club honours.

“I’m totally surprised at winning this award again,” smiled Brian when given the news. “Really I’d prefer to see a player getting it but, still, I’m delighted to be chosen.”

He added: “Certainly beating Mayo in the league final was a great achievement for the lads and it broke our losing sequence in finals. This tops it off. Now we must turn our sights to the championship game with Armagh on May 27.”

It is difficult to know how to describe Brian as he is a Tyrone man from that divided parish of Ballinderry, married to a Fermanagh woman and managing Donegal.

The presentation to retired teacher Brian McIvor was made at a function in the Ulster Brewery by Seamus Horisk, Area Sales Manager, on Wednesday, May 16. He received a sports voucher from Tennent’s Ireland, and engraved Belleek China vase. Compliments of the Fermanagh pottery, specially designed silver cuff-links by Omeath Jeweller Garret Mallon and sportswear from Pro*Star Sport.