Kilkenny's Eoin Larkin and Seán Cavanagh of Tyrone have been honoured with the Opel Gaelic Player of the Month Awards for September in Hurling and Football respectively. A worthy winner of the Opel Gaelic Player of the Month Award for Hurling, Kilkenny forward Eoin Larkin has been a revelation this season inspiring Kilkenny to their 31st All-Ireland hurling title and their third in a row. The James Stephens clubman has been in devastating form for Kilkenny all season culminating with a superb All-Ireland final performance where he plundered 1-4 from play in the Cats' victory over Waterford. Commenting on Larkin's selection, Chairman of the Opel Gaelic Players Hurling selection committee, Donal O'Grady said: "We all know that Kilkenny's All-Ireland final tour de force was the ultimate in team performance, but there's no doubt that Eoin Larkin played a huge part in their victory. "The flying half-forward laid the foundations for Kilkenny's opening goal by bursting through at pace and showing the vision to pick out an unmarked Eddie Brennan who drove to the back of the net. Eoin was a dynamic presence throughout the game and got a deserved goal of his own in the second half, which he fired home with both power and precision. A top class display from a forward of huge talent." Tyrone sharpshooter Seán Cavanagh has been a key figure for his county this season in their march to All-Ireland glory and is a very deserving winner of the Opel Gaelic Player of the Month Award for September. The Moy clubman was in typically inspirational form in the All-Ireland football final against Kerry, kicking a tremendous five points from play and leading Tyrone to the Sam Maguire for the third time this decade. Commenting on Cavanagh's selection, Chairman of the Opel Gaelic Players Football selection committee Jack O'Connor said: "Seán Cavanagh has been a star performer for Tyrone all summer and once more, we saw his importance to Mickey Harte's all-round team game in the All-Ireland final." According to the former Kerry manager; "he again showed his versatility by being able to switch from full-forward into the middle third of the field, where his forceful running caused so many problems for the Kerry defence. His ability to kick points on the run is a skill rarely seen these days and his five points from play were key to Tyrone reclaiming Sam Maguire." Dessie Farrell, Chief Executive of the GPA, said: "Kilkenny and Tyrone had a lot in common this season - both teams worked tirelessly for a common cause and displayed great unity and spirit in the process. Eoin and Seán reflected the ethos of their respective squads with their incredible work-rate throughout the summer but their individual contributions in the finals were particularly outstanding. While their peers have acknowledged those brilliant performances, I know Seán and Eoin will be quick to point to the contribution of their team mates around them. Congratulations to both players and both squads." Commenting on the announcement, Dave Sheeran, Managing Director, Opel Ireland, said, "I am delighted to reward these two exceptional players with the Opel Gaelic Players of the Month Awards for September. I would like to congratulate both Eoin and Seán on their first ever Opel Gaelic Player of the Month award, as well as their outstanding displays for their counties this month and throughout the 2008 championship season. It is a fitting tribute to two such inspirational players after a long hard season of Championship action." Tweet

Most Read Stories