GAA Site
TENNENT'S/UGAAWA
MONTHLY MERIT AWARD
May 2007
At a reception in the Ulster Brewery, Ard's man, Gareth Johnson, received
his award of a Tennent's Sports voucher, an engraved Belleek China vase,
specially designed silver cufflinks from Gareth Mallon, Omeath, and training
gear from Pro*Star Sports from Connor Magill, Commercial Manager, InBev
Ireland.
© Houston
Green Photography
Maybe Henry Shefflin is recognised as the towering terror of defences but surely Gareth Johnston runs the Kilkenny man close. The 6’6” Ards man is surely a major thorn in any rearguard that tries to contain him and last month Derry defenders found that to their cost.
Johnston careered through the Oak Leaf back six in the Ulster Senior Championship semi-final replay, at Casement Park, to slam home three goals and four points, all from play after hitting four points in the drawn game. Surely a highlight of May and enough to earn GARETH JOHNSTON our Tennent’s Merit Award for the Month.
“Happy days,” enthused the big man, “when told of the honour. “That’s delightful.”
Gareth (23), also a useful golfer playing off a five handicap out of Kirkistown Castle, is a man of few words. He prefers to do his talking on the hurling field – even the football field – and he is quite realistic about Down’s hurling status. Irrespective of the outcome of last Sunday’s Ulster final, the Mournemen were already destined for the Christy Ring Cup.
“I don’t think we are ready for the big time yet and winning the Christy Ring Cup would do us for this year,” he reflected.
May may not have produced a series of high profile matches or performances but still there were some excellent displays, apart from that of bricklayer Johnston.
In the Ulster Hurling semi-final two games, Ruairi Convery hit the target nicely with the equalising point in the drawn match and 1-10 (1-8 from placed balls) in the replay, Paul Brady completed a hat-trick of US Open Handball championship titles, Sean Cavanagh returned to the Tyrone team to close out Fermanagh in the USFC, Sarah Connolly hit 1-8 for Tyrone against Donegal in the Ladies’ USFC and Benny Coulter was instrumental for Down in ousting Cavan.
At a reception in the Ulster Brewery on Wednesday, June 6, Gareth Johnston received his award of a Tennents’ Sports Voucher, an engraved Belleek China vase, specially designed silver cuff links from Gareth Mallon Omeath and training gear from Pro*Star Sports. He will also receive two tickets and overnight accommodation to the Ulster GAA Writers’ Banquet in the Great Northern Hotel on November 24. The presentation was made by Connor Magill, Commercial Manager InBev Ireland.
