mmcgrath

TENNENT’S/UGAAWA MONTHLY MERIT AWARD - AUGUST2004

August 2004 was a month that threw up an amazing number of candidates well worthy of our Tennent’s Merit Award. A month in which Fermanagh and Derry reached the All-Ireland SFC semi-finals, the Erne County making history by reaching the Holy Grail for the first time. Fortunate may not have favoured either of the Ulster counties but still a selection of their players shone.
The sun may have gone down on Fermanagh’s fairytale summer but players like Marty McGrath, Raymie Johnston and many others blazed a trail of honour at Croke Park. Manager Charlie Mulgrew was also much to the fore in our selection. For Derry there were excellent shows by Francis McElhowney, Enda Muldoon and Paddy Bradley but in the end the nod was given to MARTY McGRATH, August Tennent’s Merit Winner.
Marty from the St Joseph’s Club in Ederney, makes history. He’s the second Fermanagh player in a row to win the monthly award during our 16-plus years that has never happened but then this was a special year by the banks of the Erne.
A graduate from Queen’s University, Marty – 23 next Saturday – was simplyoutstanding at midfield in the quarter-final win over title favourites Armagh, the reigning Ulster champions. Against Mayo in the drawn and replay games he struggled manfully and again turned in top displays despite being in bed ill three days before the replay.
A former captain and MacRory Cup medallist with St Michael’s, Enniskillen, he also skippered Fermanagh under-21s to the Hastings Cup final in 2002. For his displays in that competition – he played five county games in a month – he won our then Bass Merit Award for January 2002. An ex-minor county captain, the Ederney man has collected All-Ireland ‘B’ Championship medals after making his senior debut on his 18th birthday. And, of course, he helped Queen’s to the Sigerson Cup final last spring.
“Losing that final was bad enough but not as bad as losing the replay to Mayo,” reflects Marty. “However, I’m delighted to win this award for August. Winning it for August is certainly much better than winning it for January. It certainly is some consolation and I regard it as a great honour.”
As his award, Marty receives a Tennent’s Sports voucher, wet and dry training gear from Pro*Star Sports, an engraved Belleek China vase, two tickets to and overnight accommodation at the forthcoming UGAAWA banquet and special Cloicín cuff links. The presentation was made at a reception in the Ulster Brewery on September 8 by former Derry All-Ireland medal winner Fergal McCusker, Tennent’s Key Account Manager.