Derry football star Mark Lynch was handed a small fillip ahead of Sunday's Allianz Football League semi-final against Mayo at Croke Park when he lifted the Ulster GAA Writers' Association award for March.

There were many fine individual performances to consider throughout the month but Lynch's displays edged him ahead of the pack. His scoring feats catapulted Derry into the NFL semi-finals but his leadership, as captain of the Oak Leaf team tipped the scales.

The big Banagher battler cracked home 1-8 against All-Ireland titleholders Dublin and 1-6 against Kildare to make last Sunday's game with Mayo little more than a run-out.

"I can't take the credit for Derry reaching the semi-finals," he protests. "There were a lot of other players doing the work that led to my scores. If they hadn't done their jobs the chances for me to score wouldn't have been created. This award is a big surprise for me and it is, indeed, very nice to get it. I'm really honoured but, as I said, others deserved it more so."

The 28-year-old engineer, and dual player, hasn't had many major awards in his career but he has won a Derry SHC medal with the St Mary's Club and he has Colleges' All Star trophies in his cabinet. He stepped out of county hurling after minor level and has been in the Derry senior football squad since he was 17.

Other outstanding performances during March were given by Antrim hurler Paul Shiels, versatile Monaghan star Dessie Mone, Fermanagh scorer-in-chief Thomas Corrigan, Donegal's Christy Toye on his return from injury, All-Ireland Championship Handball winners Aisling Reilly (Antrim) and Johnny Woods (Tyrone) and Red Hand hurler Damien Casey.

Mark Lynch receives an engraved Belleek Living Vase, compliments of Belleek Pottery, training gear from O'Neill's Sportswear, specially designed silver cuff links from Omeath jeweller Garrett Mallon, a sports voucher from the UGAAWA and two tickets plus overnight accommodation to the UGAAWA Annual Awards Banquet next November.

Caption: Derry star Mark Lynch receives the Ulster GAA Writers' Association award for March from Chairman John Martin Tweet

Most Read Stories