Therese McNally was named as the Ulster GAA Writers’ Association Ladies Footballer of the Year at their annual banquet on Friday night. The honour is deserved recognition for McNally, who had a superb year as she helped Monaghan to go through their league group games unbeaten and retain the Ulster title before reaching the All-Ireland final. Monaghan lost narrowly to Cork in the decider at Croke Park, but McNally had an outstanding game and was in the running for the Player-of-the-Match award on the day. The former Tyholland player, who now plays her club football with Emyvale, won the Irish News Player-of-the-Year award in September and just last week, she was named on the O’Neill’s/TG4 Ladies Football All-Star team along with three of her county team-mates, including her sister Gráinne. Therese saw off Monaghan captain and star Cavan forward Aisling Doonan for the Ulster GAAWA award.

The full list of awards winners is as follows:

Young Achiever of the Year (Cormac McAnallen Award): Patrick McBrearty (Donegal).

Communications Award: Damien Harvey (Tyrone)

Referee of the Year: Joe McQuillan (Cavan)

Female Handball Award: Fiona Shannon (Antrim)

Male Handball Award: Michael Finnegan (Cavan)

Camogie Award: Jane Adams (Antrim)

Ladies Football Award: Therese McNally (Monaghan)

John McAviney Award for Services to Gaelic Games: Joe Canning (Armagh)

Hurler of the Year: Neil McManus (Antrim)

Footballer of the Year: Karl Lacey (Donegal)

Personality of the Year: Jim McGuinness (Donegal)