GAA Site
TENNENT'S/UGAAWA MONTHLY MERIT
AWARD
February 2006
Rarely has February ever produced such activity in GAA circles
than this year. We had football and hurling rounds in the Allianz National
Leagues, we had Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cup competitions, we had colleges’
football and hurling tournaments, ladies’ football, camogie and handball.
Plenty to chose our winner from.
Many people had credentials that made them well worthy of consideration
but when the polls were finally taken one player emerged an undisputed winner.
That person is Fermanagh full-back BARRY OWENS.
The Teemore former Allstar had a tremendous month, highlighted by a superb
display against All-Ireland champions Tyrone when he was opposed by no less
a player than Stephen O’Neill, everybody’s 2005 Player of the
Year and a triple winner of our Tennent’s
Merit Award last season..
He was also instrumental in Fermanagh’s league victory over Monaghan
and he starred when collecting a national medal with the Quinn Group team
that won the All-Ireland Inter-firms’ Championship.
“It was certainly an exciting month but I never expected to win this
award. To be regarded as one of the best players during the month is delightful,”
enthused Barry who celebrated his 24th birthday by facing Kerry last Sunday.
The Fermanagh vice-captain made his senior team debut against Tipperary
in 2000 after playing county minor football for the previous two years when
he also played with St Michael’s College in the MacRory Cup finals,
winning one and losing the other.
This is his second time to win the UGAAWA/Tennent’s
Merit Award. He also collected the honour for five-star
performances against Meath, Cork and Donegal during July 2004.
Now be has beaten off Antrim hurler Johnny McIntosh, St Gall’s and
Queen’s footballer Kevin McGourty and Dungannon schoolboy Conor Bayne
for the award of a Tennent’s Sports Voucher, an engraved Belleek China
Vase, training gear from Pro*Star Sports, specially designed cuff links
from Omeath jeweller Gareth Mallon and two tickets, plus overnight accommodation,
to the GAA Writers’ banquet next November.
Barry was presented with his award by Ray McIlroy from Tennent's Lager.in
the Ulster Brewery on Wednesday, March 8.
The undisputed winner
of the UGAAWA/Tennent's monthly Merit Award is Fermanagh full-back, and
vice captain Barry Owens who turned 24 last Sunday.
The Teemore former Allstar had a tremendous month, highlighted by a superb
display against All-Ireland champions Tyrone.
Barry recieved his award of a Tennent's Sports Voucher, an engraved Belleek
China vase, training gear from Pro*Star Sports,and specially designed cufflinks
by Omeath Jeweller, Gareth Mallon, from Tennent's Ray McIlroy and JP Graham,
UGAAWA Chairman, at a presentation held at the Ulster Brewery.
(© Houston Green Photography)
