bowens

TENNENT’S/UGAAWA MONTHLY MERIT AWARD FOR JULY 2004

It’s not often that a selection of Fermanagh people are in the running for our Tennent’s Monthly Merit Award, especially during the height of the championship season. But that’s the way it was when we sat down to choose the winner for July 2004.
In the end the nod, after a tight vote, went to BARRY OWENS after a string of first class displays at full-back against Meath, Cork and Donegal. He made players like the much vaunted Colin Corkery look very ordinary indeed.
Since Owens (22) made his senior county debut against Tipperary in 2000 he has been turning in star performances and was pretty close last year to winning an Allstar award. Injury kept him out of the entire National League, apart from 25 minutes in the last game against Cork, in Cork, but he has been back to full throttle during the championship, even though he sprained his ankle in the first round against Tyrone.
“It is a great honour for me to win this monthly award,” enthuses Teemore man Barry. “There are a lot of good footballers and hurlers out there. The opposition is tough.”
A product of St Michael’s College and a MacRory Cup medallist, Owens played minor county football for two year. He won a Fermanagh Under-18 championship medal with Teemore Shamrocks and a senior league medal with his club last year.
July seems to be a highlight of the season for him as last year he was named ‘Fermanagh Sports Personality’ for July 2003. Now, exactly a year later, he gets the Tennent’s Monthly Merit Award.
To gain that honour he had to fight off a strong challenge from his county colleague Marty McGrath while also in the running were Francie Bellew (Armagh) and Karl McKeegan (Antrim).
Barry Owens was presented with his award of a £100 Sports Voucher from Tennent’s Ireland, an engraved Belleek China Vase, compliments of Belleek Pottery, sports gear from Pro*Star Sport and special cuff links from Omeath firm Cloicín at a reception in the Ulster Brewery on August 4, 2004.