GAA Site
TENNENT'S/UGAAWA MONTHLY MERIT
AWARD
December 2005
December is not
a very busy month but over almost two decades there is one competition,
which has caught the imagination of the Ulster football public. The St Paul’s
Belfast Ulster Club Minor Football Tournament grows in popularity and esteem
each year. This year was no exception. Indeed there are those, who would
contend that it was the best ever. Certainly several of the games were magnificent
and showed that there is plenty of up and coming talent in all counties.
This competition dominated the month of December and while the final was
on New Year’s Day, it is the games in December, which are considered
for the Tennent’s Ulster GAA Writers’
Merit Award.
Many players shone in the various games with Killybegs midfielder Chris
Murrin and Brendan Maguire being prominent in their games while Gavin Kelly
and Philip Bradley were Ballinascreen stars with Conor McGourty and Darren
Harbinson prominent for St Gall’s but it was Errigal Ciaran’s
versatile player CIARAN McGINLEY, who played a major part
in his team’s eventual success in lifting the title.
“I am really shocked” was the immediate reaction from Ciaran
when told that he had been selected as UGAAWA
Tennent’s Merit Award winner for
December. “It is a great honour and an extra bonus
after winning the Ulster title. But it was a real team effort and I was
and am lucky to on such a good side. It makes up for losing to Down in the
Ulster MFC last May “ says Ciaran.
Ciaran is the most versatile player on the Errigal side. In the three games
in which he played in December he figured in four different positions starring
in them all. He was half forward in the opening game against Crossmaglen
and halfback against Belcoo. In the semi final against St Gall’s,
he started at full back for ‘flu victim, John Cassidy, but was moved
to midfield in the second half to dominate this sector and turned the game
the way of the Tyrone champions.
Ciaran is no stranger to awards however. He has already won all Ireland
medals with St Ciaran’s High School, Ballygawley, last year in the
Vocational Schools U18 grade and was midfield on the Tyrone side that won
the Vocational Schools inter county title, beating Cork after extra time
in the final. He was half back against Down in the Ulster MFC last May,
which is the only blot on his football career.
He has completed his studies at St Ciaran’s High School Ballygawley
and is awaiting a place at the Further Education College. Currently he is
helping his father on the family farm. “The pay is not too good”
comments Ciaran “ but it helps”.
Ciaran McGinley gets his Tennent’s Merit Award for December ahead
of Paul Murphy, the Castleblayney hurler, who donated bone marrow to help
a patient, Armagh’s John Toal who is recovering from a horrific injury
and Aisling Reilly winner of the World U18 Handball title.
At a reception in the Ulster Brewery on January 11, the winner was presented
with his award by Connor Magill, Tennent’s Lager Area Sales Manager,
which included a Tennent's Sports Voucher, an engraved Belleek China vase,
training gear from Pro*Star Sport, specially designed silver cuff links
from Garrett Mallon Jewellery, Omeath. He also receives two tickets to the
GAA Writers’ banquet in November plus overnight accommodation
N.B. -- Embargoed until Sunday, January 15.
