GAA Site
TENNENT'S/UGAAWA MONTHLY MERIT
AWARD
March 2006
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The volume of activity in the GAA world increases year by year with the result that our choice of the Tennent’s Merit Award gets wider and wider. March is a month when we have the closing stages of the National Leagues and colleges’ championships plus camogie, ladies’ football and All-Ireland handball activity so picking a winner can be difficult.
Not so difficult this time as one occasion stood out – Abbey CBS’ success in the MacRory Cup final when the Newry students snatched the silverware with a late, late goal. It was Abbey’s first final in 19 years and behind every team must be a driving force.
That driving force in ‘the Abbey’ was coach JODY GORMLEY and, for the huge part he played in victory, he gets the nod for our award this time. He achieved an aim that many before him failed to achieve.
“It doesn’t matter what you do if you don’t have the players,” protests the former Tyrone midfield man. “We have a great crop of young lads at ‘the Abbey’ and they worked hard for their success. They were easily steered and it is great to get this prestigious award on their behalf.”
Not only has the Trillick man helped his school to MacRory Cup success, and now into the Hogan Cup final, but he has also played a big part in Down senior footballers’ National League trip to joint second place in Div.1B with one round to go.
At 34, PE lecturer Jody still plays club football with Bredagh after a cruciate ligament injury put him out of the game for a year. He played at senior level with Tyrone from 1995 until 1998 – being at midfield in the ’95 All-Ireland final – and after a year in London returned to the team in 2000. He has won two All-Ireland U21 and two USFC medals but was too young to share in Trillick’s championship successes.
For our March 2006 Tennent’s Merit Award, Jody receives a £100 Tennent’s voucher, wet and dry training gear from Pro*Star Sport, an engraved Belleek China vase, specially designed silver cuff links from Gareth Mallon Jewellery (Omeath) and two tickets plus overnight accommodation at our annual banquet next November in Bundoran.
Jody was selected for the award, presented by Seamus Horisk, Tennent’s Lager Regional Sales Manager, at a function in the Ulster Brewery on Wednesday, April 5, ahead of Antrim hurler Mal Molloy, Tyrone players Stephen O’Neill and Brian McGuigan with St Louis’ (Kilkeel) star Martin Clarke, Cavan forward Seanie Johnston and Monaghan-based Louth manager Eamon McEneaney also getting favourable mentions.
