Ó hAilpín and Coulter win Player of the Month awards
June 09, 2010Two of the top stars from championship 2010 so far were rewarded for their exciting early-season form as Cork's Aisake Ó hAilpín and Down's Benny Coulter were presented with GAA Player of the Month Awards for May, sponsored by Vodafone.
For the youngest of the three Ó hAilpín stars to don the Cork jersey, the award for Aisake was in honour of his outstanding performance against old rivals Tipperary in Sunday week's Munster senior hurling championship opener in Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Ó hAilpín (24) came of age at championship level as he scored 1-1 from play and caused panic throughout the much vaunted Tipperary defence every time the ball was launched towards him.
The Na Piarsaigh clubman and former Cork minor dual star, whose brothers Seán Óg and Setanta are both former winners of Vodafone sponsored GAA All Star awards, was Cork's most inspirational performer and official Man of the Match as the Rebels prevented Tipperary from beating them for a record fourth time on the trot in the Munster senior championship.
The football award, meanwhile, went to Down's Benny Coulter in recognition of his superb display in his county's extra-time victory over Donegal in Ballybofey on Sunday week also.
Coulter (28) scored 1-4 in all as Down edged out Donegal to book a spot in the Ulster semi-final with neighbours Tyrone on June 19th. An All Ireland minor medal winner with Down in 1999, Coulter already has eight Down senior club title medals from what is the golden era for the Mayobridge club. He has also represented Ireland in the International Rules series five times.
Congratulating both Player of the Month award winners, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Criostóir Ó Cuana said: "In Aisake and Benny we have two players of who have lit up championship 2010 with outstanding performances on their first outing. Benny has truly been one of the most gifted footballers of this decade and is following in a long line of legendary Down players. Aisake, meanwhile, is probably at a different stage in his career and what a performance he gave against Tipperary in Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday week last."
Also speaking at the awards, Vodafone Ireland Fixed Services Director Eileen Maher said: "This is the fourth Player of the Month Award so far and six counties have been represented. Aisake Ó hAilpín today becomes the second Cork player, after March winner Pat Horgan, to receive an award in 2010. Both are thoroughly deserving award winners and no doubt we will be seeing plenty of them over the course of the championship season." Tweet
