GAA Site
TENNENT’S/UGAAWA MERIT AWARD FOR JULY 2005
Our award winner for
the month of July 2005 didn’t need a map or a compass to guide him
to the Ulster Brewery for the presentation. This is STEPHEN O’NEILL’S
third time in seven months to be honoured with the Tennent’s
Monthly Merit Award,
There is no player
in Ireland just now in such sparkling form as the Tyrone score-getter. He
hit a marvellous 10 points during the drawn Bank of Ireland Ulster SFC final
and then lofted over five more in the replay before he was wrongly dismissed.
That dismissal was, of course, wiped out later but too late to help Stephen
to more scores.
It doesn’t
seem to matter what number is on the Aughabrack Clubman’s back. He
is equally comfortable at full-forward, centre-forward or on the wing. His
ability to screw over points from play or dead-ball situations is what makes
him stand out from the rest. It’s what made him stand out last month
and made him the winner of our Tennent’s/UGAAWA Merit
Award winner for July.
Stephen’s
CV is well known by now. His medal collection includes two each of Ulster
SFC awards, Ulster Under-21 FC, UMFC medals, Intermediate Championship and
League honours plus Junior Championship and League awards with his Donemana
club. He does most things, it seems, on the double or treble.
Of course, Stephen
has also tucked away an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Celtic
Cross, an NFL medal and an Allstar Award. He also won an Ulster Colleges’
Allstar when a student at Omagh CBS. Quite a collection already for a 24-year-old.
Once again, our
winner receives a Sports Voucher from Bass Ireland, an engraved Belleek
China vase, training gear from Pro*Star Sport and specially designed cuff
links from Gareth Mallon (Omeath).
Last month, the
Tyrone sharpshooter edged out Derry captain Paddy Bradley and Down hurling
doyen Gary Savage for the Merit Award. At a presentation in the Ulster Brewery,
on Wednesday, August 10, Stephen received his award from Seamus Horisk,
Regional Sales Manager, InBev Ireland Lmited.
