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TENNENT'S/UGAAWA MONTHLY MERIT AWARD
- January 2005

With the Dr McKenna Cup in full swing during January there was plenty to choose from when selecting the Tennent’s Monthly Merit Award but, on reflection, one player stood out head and shoulders above the rest.
He was STEPHEN O’NEILL, who shone in all three Tyrone games, against Cavan, UUJ and Antrim. The Clan na Gael man rifled over a string of points during the month that belied the winter conditions.
Stephen (24) is no stranger to awards, of course, as he has steadily collection a haul of them with both his club and county. He likes to do things on the double and that’s what makes him so determined that Tyrone will again win the Sam Maguire Cup.
Among his collection of honours are two Ulster SFC medals, two Ulster Under-21 FC medals, two Ulster MFC medals, Intermediate Championship and league medals with his club plus junior championship and league medals also with Clan na Gael.
Then, of course, Stephen has tucked away an All-Ireland SFC medal, a NFL medal and an Allstar Award. He has also an Ulster Colleges’ Allstar award won with Omagh CBS. Not a bad haul for a 24-year-old!
“I’m delighted to add this Monthly Merit Award to the list,” enthuses Stephen. “I’m really chuffed at being selected for the honour. It is nice to be recognised individually. It is nice to have my name added to the list of other Tyrone players who have been a winner of this award.”
Stephen, of course, also displayed his talents on ‘foreign fields’ with Ballymena United in the Irish League but that is a part of his career that is presently in the past.
Stephen was a clear-cut winner ahead of Antrim sharp-shooting hurler Johnny McIntosh who hit home 4-4 against Laois. That was McIntosh’s only outing during January while O’Neill played three games. Also in the frame was Armagh’s young player Gareth Swift.
The winner receives a sports voucher from Tennent’s Ireland, an engraved Belleek China vase, training gear from Pro*Star Sport, specially designed cuff links from Cloicín and tickets plus accommodation to the Ulster GAA Writers’ banquet next autumn.
At a reception in the Ulster Brewery on Tuesday, January 8, he was presented with his award by Terry McCourt, Bass Ireland Key Accounts Manager.