Ulster GAA Writers Awards: Donegal dominate footballer of the year nominees
October 15, 2014
Annual Award winner at Ulster GAA Writers Association annual presentation banquet in the Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran, Co. Donegal on Friday Night.
Jim McGuinness's men may have fallen just short against Kerry in the All-Ireland SFC final but they are strongly to the fore as the awards season goes into full swing.
No less than nine Donegal footballers have been nominated for All Star Awards and perhaps not surprisingly, all three of the Ulster GAA Writers' Association's nominees for Footballer of the Year 2014 hail from Tir Conaill.
The Ulster GAA Writers have narrowed the field down to three ahead of their annual gala awards banquet which will be held, fittingly, in the Great Northern Hotel in Bundoran on Saturday 1st November.
Tickets are available from Tony McGee on (00 44) (0) 7960531170, price £50/€60, and one and two night packages are available from the Great Northern Hotel to include five course banquet ticket and four star accommodation, visit www.greatnorthernhotel.com for details.
Neil McGee has been among the outstanding defenders this season while no-one will forget the performances of Ryan McHugh against the Dubs and also against Monaghan. Add in 'Captain Fantastic' Michael Murphy's leadership of the team throughout the year and you have got a formidable trio.
There were also some great performances displayed by lady footballers from Ulster with Fermanagh midfielder Caroline Little, Armagh captain-cum-netball international Caroline O'Hanlon and Down co-captain and impact sub Kyla Trainor leading the list of nominations.
Antrim hurlers gave some outstanding displays against top teams, too, with Conor McCann and play-anywhere Paul Shiels causing headaches for all opposition. Derry's Darrell McDermott also kept a safe goal-line for the Oak Leaf team and joins the Antrim men on the Hurler of the Year short list.
Derry were to the fore in camogie, as well, with Megan Kerr and Karen Kielt showing their class while Mourne stalwart Niamh Mallon was instrumental in bringing success to her county.
Making a return to the podium this year is the Club of the Year Award, and a team of the Year Award has also been introduced.
2014 UGAAWA Annual Award Nominees
Male Footballer - Neil McGee, Ryan McHugh, Michael Murphy (all Donegal)
Female Footballer - Caroline Little (Fermanagh), Caroline O'Hanlon (Armagh), Kyla Trainor (Down)
Hurler - Conor McCann (Antrim), Darrell McDermott (Derry), Paul Shiels (Antrim)
Handball - Mary Lindsay (Antrim), Loughmacrory (Tyrone), Conor McElduff (Tyrone)
Camogie - Karen Kielt (Derry), Megan Kerr (Derry), Niamh Mallon (Down)
Young Achiever (Cormac McAnallen Award) - Stephen McBrierty (Donegal), Ryan McHugh (Donegal), Johnny Woods (Tyrone)
Communications - Eunan Lindsay (Tyrone), Dermot McPeake (Derry), Declan Woods (Cavan)
Club - Ballinderry (Derry), Devenish (Fermanagh), Truagh (Monaghan)
Team - Donegal (Minor Football), Donegal (Senior Football), Creggan Kickhams (Junior Club Hurling)
