jmcintosh

TENNENT'S/UGAAWA MONTHLY MERIT AWARD
October 2006

Terry McCourt, Business Development Manager, Tennent's Lager presents Mathematician Johnny McIntosh with the Tennent's / UGAAWA Merit Award for October 2006 along with Sean McMahon, UGAAWA Chairman.
© Houston Green Photography

Mathematician JOHNNY McINTOSH certainly got his figures right during the month of October and for that he earns our Tennent’s Monthly Merit Award.

The Glenariffe clubman played through the month with ‘Gilmore’s Groin’ – a rupture of the muscle but there was no way he was going to miss the hurling action until the season was done and dusted.

“There were too many important matches for me to get treatment in hospital,” he says, “but now that the season is ended I am pushing to get in for an operation.”

‘Tosh’, as the big man is affectingly known, rifled over 10 points for Ulster in the Interprovincial semi-final against Leinster, at Parnell Park. The fact that it wasn’t enough to earn victory for the Saffrons takes nothing from the 28-year-olds' performance.

His tally of 1-7 against New York in the Ulster Senior Hurling Championship final in Boston brought more success as it helped Antrim to retain the provincial title for another season. That 1-7 was hammered home inside 40 minutes before Johnny had to succumb to his injury problem.

“This award tops off a great season,” he enthuses. “It’s the first personal award I have ever got in all my years hurling. I’ll be honoured to put it alongside my six Ulster SHC medals, my three provincial U21 awards, the one Ulster minor medal that I have won and the Christy Ring Cup award.

Johnny McIntosh got the nod for the October Merit Award ahead of Peter Canavan who played with damaged ribs as he led Errigal-Ciarán to victory in the Tyrone Senior Football Championship final replay and Oisin McConville, who starred in Crossmaglen’s Ulster SFC victory over Glenties, at Ballybofey.

The monthly winner gets a £100 voucher from Tennent’s Ireland, an engraved Belleek China vase, specially made silver cuff links from Gareth Mallon, Omeath, and training gear, compliments of Pro*Star Sports.

He will also be a guest at the Ulster GAA Writers’ banquet at the Great Northern Hotel in Bundoran next week – November 17 – with overnight accommodation provided.