Monaghan GAA/The Northern Standard Annual Awards 2012

The annual Monaghan GAA awards night, sponsored once again by The Northern Standard and R&S Printers attracted roughly 300 people to the Hillgrove Hotel in Monaghan town last Friday night. Always an enjoyable night, the 2012 version was no different, as the county’s Gaels came together to celebrate all that is good about the association. After Master of Ceremonies Séamus McElwain kicked things off, the crowd were addressed by County Board Chairman Paul Curran, Ulster Council President Aogán Ó Fearghail and the night’s special guest, former Armagh footballer Jarlath Burns, who captained his county to an Ulster title in 1998 before forging out a successful media career with the likes of the BBC and Gaelic Life. Ó Fearghail stressed the importance of identity and the love of place, a theme which was developed in a jovial tone by Burns, whose excellent address mixed the light-hearted and the serious issues well. Other highlights of the proceedings were an often-hilarious comedy sketch by Threemilehouse duo Frank Evans and Brendan Finan, an entertaining interview between Burns and retiring referee Pat McEnaney (who received a presentation in recognition of his distinguished decade of inter-county officiating) and a couple of tunes courtesy of Drumhowan’s successful Scór na nÓg instrumental group.

Presentations were made to the members of Monaghan County Board who were stepping down – Liam Stirrat from Scotstown, whose long association with the board included a term as chairman; fellow clubman Eamonn O’Hara, who had been Coaching Officer since 2009; Doohamlet’s Brendan Farrell, who was stepping down from his Assistant-Treasurer post under the five-year rule; Clontibret’s Noel Mullaney, who had also completed five years as Hurling Officer; former PRO and Cultural Officer Siobhán McQuillan (Rockcorry); and Killeevan native JP Graham, who served in a number of positions in the county board. Outgoing vounty senior hurling manager Frank Brady also accepted a presentation to mark his efforts in his four years in the role.

Of course, the main business of the event was the presentation of the many awards. It was an evening to remember for the Duffy clan from Latton, as Owen and Kieran were rewarded for their consistently impressive performances in their club’s successful Senior Football Championship run by winning the Senior and Young Footballer-of-the-Year awards respectively. Carrickmacross forward Mark Downey took home the Intermediate Footballer-of-the-Year award for his central part in Carrick’s double win, while Niall Flanagan of fellow double-winners Cremartin was named as Junior Footballer of the Year. The Club Monaghan Senior Footballer of the Year award was won by Scotstown’s Darren Hughes, whose personal performances at club and county level (plus with Ireland in the International Rules) never dipped below par. There were reasons to celebrate for the Castleblayney Hurling Club with Brian McGuigan and Mark Treanor being presented with the Senior and Young Hurler-of-the-Year awards, while the Handballer of the Year gong went to Conor McDonnell of Monaghan Harps. The ladies were represented on the night by Ladies Footballer of the Year Sharon Courtney (Donaghmoyne) and Camogie award winner Siobhán McKenna (Truagh), both of whom captained Monaghan county teams to All-Ireland finals in 2011.

The Senior Club Official of the Year was Gerry Finnegan from Club Maith gold award-winners Drumhowan, with Mary Woods from Inniskeen accepting the Juvenile Club Official award. Each referee who took charge of Senior, Intermediate, Junior or Minor finals last year received a presentation, as did Youth Referee of the Year Hugh Leonard, while Truagh and Magheracloone were the joint-winners of the new Referees Club Merit Award, which seeks to encourage respectful attitudes to match officials. On the back of a successful 2011 on and off the pitch, Cremartin were chosen as Club of the Year, while Currin received a special merit award for achieving promotion to senior football in their 125^th year. There were also youth achievement merit awards for Truagh in football and Monaghan Harps in hurling.

Two legends of Monaghan football were deservedly inducted into the Hall of Fame. Gerry Fitzpatrick has an amazing and enviable list of achievements, both as a player with Castleblayney, Monaghan and Ulster and later as a manager with clubs including his native Blayney. Joe Carroll of Inniskeen may not have the medal collection to rival Gerry (few do!), but he also represented his club, county and province with distinction over a long number of years spanning three decades – the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Both of the latest additions to the Monaghan GAA Hall of Fame were interviewed by Séamus McElwain. Scotstown clubman McElwain, who is the County Board’s new Oifigeach Cultúra agus Gaeilge, did an excellent job as MC, a year after his daughter, TG4 star Gráinne performed the same role.

2011 Monaghan GAA Award Winners sponsored by The Northern Standard

Senior Footballer: Owen Duffy (Latton)

Intermediate Footballer: Mark Downey (Carrickmacross)

Junior Footballer: Niall Flanagan (Cremartin)

Young Footballer: Kieran Duffy (Latton)

Senior Hurler: Brian McGuigan (Castleblayney)

Young Hurler: Mark Treanor (Castleblayney)

Senior Club Official: Gerry Finnegan (Drumhowan)

Juvenile Club Official: Mary Woods (Inniskeen)

Handballer of the Year: Conor McDonnell (Monaghan Harps)

Camogie Player: Siobhán McKenna (Truagh)

Ladies Footballer: Sharon Courtney (Donaghmoyne)