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
Youth Achievement Award (Hurling): Truagh
Senior Referee: Gerard McCarron (Emyvale)
Intermediate Referee: Martin McMahon (Aughnamullen)
Junior Referee: Martin McNally (Corduff)
Minor Referee: Anthony Marron (Corduff)
Hurling Referee: Jim O’Rourke (Monaghan Harps HC)
Youth Referee: Jason McAndrew (Ballybay)
Referees Club Merit Award: Ballybay
Hall of Fame: Eamonn Tavey (Castleblayney) and Seán McCrudden (Scotstown)
Special Merit Award: Séamus Dooley (New York)
Club Of The Year: Castleblayney Hurling Club
Club Monaghan Senior Footballer: Paul Finlay
Most Improved Scór Club: Donaghmoyne
By michael Tue 8th Jan
