jmcgrattan

TENNENT'S/UGAAWA MONTHLY MERIT AWARD
October 2005

With the all year round extension of the GAA season we are never short of talent when it comes to choosing the Tennent’s Monthly Merit Award winner but, usually, one candidate pops out of the pile with claims that cannot be ignored. Such a candidate emerged from the maze of activity during October 2005.
JOHNNY McGRATTAN proved that he still maintains his scoring touch as he helped Ballygalget to win both the Down and Ulster Senior Hurling titles – only the second time that the Ards club tasted provincial success.
Against Ballycran in the county final the Mitchell’s man tossed over seven points and in the Ulster final, against favourites Cushendall, he cracked home 1-8 – his goal just before half-time being a killer punch. He never missed a free from any distance or angle.
“I’m just speechless at getting this honour,” enthused Johnny (28) when told of winning the award. “There are not many individual honours like it around and for a hurler to get this award is really special.”
Johnny has already accumulated quite an array of silverware since he won an All-Ireland Feili award at the age of 12. Since then he has won two Ulster and six Down SHC medals and collected four Down minor championship awards. At county level, he helped Down to win the Ulster SHC title in 1997 and Division Two of the NHL last year.
He made his senior county debut at the age of 19 and was a regular up until last season. With his recent showings it could be that he will soon again don the red and black jersey.
Johnny McGrattan gets the Tennent’s Merit Award for October ahead of Conor Gormley who, since helping Tyrone to win the Sam Maguire Cup, has been starring with his club Carrickmore and Derry captain Paddy Bradley who helped Ulster to dismiss Munster in the Railway Cup semi-final.
Other notable achievements during October was Crossmaglen Rangers winning their tenth Armagh SFC title in a row and St Gall’s taking the Antrim crown for a fifth consecutive year.
At a reception in the Ulster Brewery on November 9, the winner was presented with his award of a Tennent’s Sports Voucher, an engraved Belleek China vase, training gear from Pro*Star Sport, specially designed silver cuff links from Garrett Mallon Jewellery Omeath and two tickets plus overnight accommodation to the UGAAWA banquet in Bundoran on November 18. The presentation was made by Brian Houston, Communications & Sponsoring Manager – Ireland.