jadams

TENNENT'S/UGAAWA MONTHLY MERIT AWARD
September 2007

Rossa and Antrim camogie star Jane Adams outshone all others to receive the Tennent's/UGAAWA Monthly Merit Award for September from Jeff Tosh, Regional Controller, InBev. during a reception held at the Ulster Brewery.
Pictured at the reception with Jane are John Mark, Pro*Star Sport, Matt Fitzpatrick, UGAAWA Secretary, and Jane's mum, Bernadette Adams.

© Houston Green Photography

When a player in any code cracks home a tally of 2-33 during a month everyone must sit up and take notice and that’s what the members of the Ulster GAA Writers have done when selecting their Tennent’s Merit Award winner for September 2007.

There is little doubt but the leading lady of the month, who also outshone all her male pretenders to the award, was JANE ADAMS, Rossa and Antrim camogie star who has been at the top of her game for some years. She won our Camogie Award in both 2001 and 2005 and was the monthly merit winner for April 2006, as well.

During September, Jane played three high profile championship matches as she blasted home 10 points against Portglenone in the Antrim Senior Club semi-final and followed up with 1-11 against Loughgiel in the final. Then she bagged 1-12 against Lavey in the Ulster Championship – not a bad month’s work.

“But I take the frees, “Jane protests, “and I cash in on other players’ work.”
A modest sentiment but the balls have to be sent over the bar just the same.

Whenever contacted of the award, Jane enthused: “I just can’t believe I have won the award again. I’m shaking. September was one of the best months of my life in camogie and this award is just brilliant.”

Now Jane (26) and her Belfast O’Donovan Rossa team mates are aiming to create a little bit of history. They are going for a four-in-a-row of Ulster Championship titles, a feat that has never yet been achieved by any club. They are also hoping to wipe out the memory of defeat by Freshford in last year’s All-Ireland race when they had to travel for the game to just 25 miles from the Kilkenny side’s home.

There were other notable achievements during September, as well, with Crossmaglen Rangers winning their 12th consecutive Armagh SFC title and Derry minor footballers, with Niall Conway at the helm, reaching the All-Ireland final but overall, Jane Adams’ deeds outshine the lot.

For that, the Belfast business girl was presented, by Jeff Tosh, Regional Controller InBev, with her award of a Tennent’s Sports voucher, an engraved Belleek China vase, a specially designed pendant from Omeath jeweller Gareth Mallon and two tickets, plus overnight accommodation, to the UGAAWA banquet on November 24 at the Great Northern Hotel in Bundoran. She will also receive training gear from Pro*Star Sport.