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TENNENTS/UGAAWA MERIT AWARD FOR JUNE 2003
Not a lot of people return to The Triangle for a second award, expecially
after a lapse of seven years. That makes Greg McCartan a bit special.
The 6'2" Down midfield maestro is our winner for June 2003 after sterling
performances with the Mournemen in lar na pairc against Monaghan and Fermanagh.
Indeed, many will argue that it was Greg's top class shows that have taken
Down into next Sunday's Bank of Ireland Ulster SFC final against Tyrone.
"I thought that my leg was being pulled when I was told that I had won
the award again," enthused Greg (33).
It was for May 1996 that the Castlewellan clubman last received the honour
as monthly Merit Award winner. That was following an excellent display against
Donegal but even that performance pales in comparison to his recent shows.
In the Ulster semi against Fermanagh, he soared high to fetch, carry and
score.
In fact, the joiner nailed up the shutters during the final quarter and
contributed 1-4 (a penalty goal and four frees) to Down's winning tally.
Greg is now bidding for his third Ulster SFC medal. He has two All-Ireland
medals also tucked away as well as an Allstar award for 1994. Railway Cup
honours have also gone his way.
June was, undoubtedly, a high profile month with Ulster and All-Ireland
championship games plus Ulster hurling championship action. Plenty to choose
from and Greg McCartan did have opposition for the award. Fermanagh's young
lion Ryan Keenan pushed hard for the honour while Ger Cavlan's superb midfield
display against Antrim had to be considered but, in the end, the Down man
got the nod.
He was presented with sports vouchers from Tennents Ireland and Pro*Star
Sport plus an engraved Belleek China vase, as his award, at a reception
in the Ulster Brewery, on Wednesday, July 9, by none other than his team
captain and midfield partner Sean Ward, who is Territorial Sales Manager
for Bass Ireland
