Monaghan GAA Awards Night

The highlight of the GAA social calendar in the county is just 11 days away. The Monaghan GAA Annual Awards night, sponsored by The Northern Standard and R&S Printers, takes place in the Hillgrove Hotel, Monaghan town, on Saturday week (January 19).

The special guest on the night will be Offaly hurling great Michael Duignan. The former All-Ireland winner, who is now highly regarded as a ‘Sunday Game’ analyst, also wrote a compelling, best-selling autobiography, ‘Life, Death & Hurling’, which was published in 2011. Musical entertainment on the night will be provided by the award-winning Éamon Ó Muirí Under-12 céilí band and the Drumhowan Scór instrumental group. Also set to entertain the attendance are Colm Kirke from the Clones club with his recitation of ‘The cross-eyed Monaghan hurler’ and the one and only Tommy McArdle, who will cast his humorous eye over GAA happenings in Monaghan in 2012.

Tickets are €30 and are available from Cloghan and through the clubs. A great night’s entertainment is guaranteed.

Of course, the main part of the night is the presentation of the annual awards, which this year includes a new award for most improved club in Scór, which goes to Donaghmoyne. The winners, announced at county convention last month, are as follows:

Senior Footballer: Drew Wylie (Ballybay)

Intermediate Footballer: Mark Daly (Rockcorry)

Junior Footballer: Colm Lambe (Drumhowan)

Young Footballer: Jack McCarron (Currin)

Senior Hurler: Gary Boyd (Castleblayney HC)

Young Hurler: Conor McKenna (Truagh)

Senior Club Official: Tom Kelly (Clones)

Juvenile Club Official: Fergal Mone (Clontibret)

Handballer: Christopher McKenna (St. Mellan’s)

Camogie Player: Róisín McKenna (Castleblayney)

Ladies Footballer: Aoife McAnespie (Emyvale)

Youth Achievement Award (Football): Magheracloone