dmckenna

TENNENT'S/UGAAWA MONTHLY MERIT AWARD
February 2007

David McKenna , the 19-year-old player for Crossmaglen is pictured receiving part of the Tennent's/UGAAWA Merit Award from Seamus Horisk, Regional Sales Manager OnTrade.
© Houston Green Photography

The Crossmaglen young guns are certainly showing the auld hands in the camp that they will have to look to their laurels in the months ahead. For the second time in three months we have a Rangers’ teenager stepping up to receive our Tennent’s Monthly Merit Award.

DAVID MCKENNA is the winner this time, following in the footsteps of Paul Kernan, after a sterling display in the AIB All-Ireland SF semi-final, at Mullingar. Cross beat Connacht champions St Brigid’s from Roscommon with 19-year-old David giving another of his top drawer shows in midfield.

Indeed the Newry Technical College student was also in the mix for the December award, after the Ulster final, but was pipped by club colleague Kernan.

“I saw the awards that Paul got and I was highly impressed. Now I’m delighted to be the winner for last month. I’m looking forward to the All-Ireland final against Dr Croke’s (Kerry) and this gives me a great lift,” said the lanky midfielder.

David broke into the Crossmaglen senior side 12 months ago when still a minor. He has a highly impressive youth CV having won championship medals at under-12, under-16, minor, under-21 and senior levels. He also won an Ulster minor medal with Armagh when they defeated eventual All-Ireland champions Down in the provincial decider at Croke Park in 2005.

He’s now in the first year of a HND Sport & Exercise Science course at Newry Tech and once he finishes the two-year spell there he hopes to attend UUJ or Queen’s.

The award of a Tennent’s Sports Voucher, an engraved Belleek China vase and specially designed silver cuff links from Omeath Jeweller Gareth Mallon was made to David at a reception in Belfast by Seamus Horisk, Regional Sales Manager On-Trade, on Wednesday, March 7. He will also receive training gear from Pro*Star Sport and two tickets plus overnight accommodation at the Ulster GAA Writers’ 20th annual banquet in Bundoran on November 24.

McKenna was selected ahead of Barry McGoldrick (Coleraine) with Down hurler Paddy Hughes, Rory Gallagher (Cavan), Barry Tracey (Greencastle).and Stephen O’Neill (Tyrone) also considered.