Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny) and Kieran Donaghy (Kerry) have been announced as the Opel Gaelic Players of the Year for Hurling and Football for 2006 by the Gaelic Players Association at the GPA's Annual Gala and Awards Evening in Citywest. Henry Shefflin and Kieran Donaghy won the accolade following a vote by the GPA membership after being shortlisted for the prize in October. Due to their outstanding performances throughout the GAA season, both All Ireland winners will receive a brand new Opel Astra worth Eu25,000. Commenting on the announcement, Dessie Farrell, Chief Executive of the Gaelic Players' Association said, "The selection of a players' team of the year has been a dream of the GPA since our foundation and, thanks to the courage and vision of Opel Ireland, the first Opel Gaelic Player Teams of the Year mark a milestone in the short history of our association. Sincerest congratulations to all the winners and, indeed to Kieran and Henry on being voted players of the year by their peers." "Congratulations to all the players who contributed so much to the 2006 season. Tonight's GPA Gala Night featuring the Opel Gaelic Player Awards, with nearly 1,400 guests attending, reflects the growing confidence of players and their willingness to stake a claim in their future and in the future of Gaelic Games" Dave Sheeran, Managing Director, Opel Ireland, said, "Opel Ireland is proud to be associated with Henry Shefflin and Kieran Donaghy, a pair of individuals who epitomise the spirit of Gaelic Games. Both players have created a fantastic sense of excitement across the country throughout the GAA season and we are delighted to acknowledge their magnificent achievements." The five nominees for the Opel Gaelic Player of the year for Hurling as chosen by the Hurling Selection Committee were: Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny), Donal "g Cusack (Cork), Ronan Curran (Cork), Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny) and James Fitzpatrick (Kilkenny) while the four nominations for the Opel Gaelic Player of the year for Football as chosen by the Football Selection Committee were Kieran Donaghy (Kerry), Darragh " SÈ (Kerry), Ciaran McDonald (Mayo) and Ronan Clarke (Armagh). The Opel Gaelic Teams of the year for Hurling and Football were named in October and each player on the team will receive Ä2,500, making the total value of prizes given out on the night worth Ä125,000.† The 2006 Opel Gaelic team of the Year for Hurling in full consists of: 1. Donal "g Cusack (Cork) 2. Eoin Murphy (Waterford) 3. Paul Curran (Tipperary) 4. Brian Murphy (Cork) 5. Tony Browne (Waterford) 6. Ronan Curran (Cork) 7. Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny) 8 & 9 Jerry O'Connor (Cork) & James "Cha" Fitzpatrick (Kilkenny) 10. Dan Shanahan (Waterford) 11. Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny) 12. Martin Comerford (Kilkenny) 13. Ben O'Connor (Cork) 14. Eoin Kelly (Tipperary) 15. Joe Deane (Cork) The 2006 Opel Gaelic team of the Year for Football in full consists of: 1. Stephen Cluxton (Dublin) 2. Marc " SÈ (Kerry) 3. Barry Owens (Fermanagh) 4. Tom O'Sullivan (Kerry) 5. Seamus Moynihan (Kerry) 6. Bryan Cullen (Dublin) 7. Aidan O'Mahoney (Kerry) 8 & 9. Nicholas Murphy (Cork) & Darragh " SÈ (Kerry) 10. Alan Dillon (Mayo) 11. Alan Brogan (Dublin) 12. Ciaran McDonald (Mayo) 13. Conor Mortimer (Mayo) 14. Kieran Donaghy (Kerry) 15. Ronan Clarke (Armagh) Tweet

Most Read Stories