Monaghan Handball hit the world headlines when two young players from the county took three World titles in the USA back in October and now the county is in line for further honours at the National Awards night. For the first time in what will become an annual event, Croke Park is hosting a new-look National Awards Night on the December 4th. There are 14 categories in all and each province puts forward a nomination in each category. On December 4th the 4 people nominated in each category will attend the event and the winner will be announced. Monaghan has 4 nominations out of Ulster as follows: Official of the Year - Austin McKenna Coach of the Year - Martin McEntee Club Person / Player of the Year - Peter Larkin Youth male player (U17, U16, U15, U14) - Darren Doherty In other news it has been confirmed that Darren Doherty and Padraig McKenna have been invited to meet the President at Aras an Uachtarain on Tuesday the 24th of November when President Mary McAleese is hosting a reception to honour all of the players who took World titles in the recent finals, a signal honour for them all. Also Monaghan's four top Juvenile players, Darren Doherty, Padraig McKenna, Terry McElvaney and Christopher McKenna are competing in the Trials for the Official Irish Junior team that will travel to Chicago over Christmas to compete in the US Nationals. The players though are moving up the age groups as Darren Doherty competes in the 15 and under competition which is the youngest grade they have in this event and the other 3 are in the 17 and under. Darren starts his quest for a place on the team on Saturday in St. Mellan's and the other three are in action in Kingscourt. The winner of each grade gets a place on the official Irish team. Handball chair person Katrina Mone told the Northern standard that "The competition will be very strong and the entries are big in both grades but with the experience of the World championships we are hopeful". Tweet

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