Waterford's Tony Browne and Kildare's Eamonn Callaghan are Vodafone sponsored July GAA Player of the Month winners

One of hurling's brightest stars over the last two decades and a star of this year's football championship were today honoured as Tony Browne and Eamonn Callaghan, respectively, picked up the July GAA Player of the Month awards, sponsored by Vodafone.

For former Hurler of the Year All Star Tony Browne the award is recognition for his immense displays in Waterford's drawn and replayed Munster Final which gave the inspirational Mount Sion clubman his fourth provincial title. Browne (37) can be credited with keeping Waterford's hopes alive in the drawn game as his injury time goal sent the game to a replay - a game marked yet again by an outstanding display from the ageless three-time All Star.

Browne has already written his name into Waterford hurling folklore on many occasions over the last nineteen years since his debut for the Decies against Galway in the National Hurling League in 1991 and is this year the oldest and yet one of the most influential players involved in the All-Ireland championship.

Eamonn Callaghan also laid down a marker as one of football's leading players with his performances in July. The Naas clubman has this year shown his versatility, not least in July when he was chosen at centre back against Leitrim and scored one point from play before giving a man of the match performance as he chalked up 1-4 from play from wing forward against Derry in the next round of the qualifiers.

O'Callaghan capitalised again on Saturday week last as he was one of Kildare's stars in their impressive victory over Monaghan, lining out as a roving corner forward and ending up with 0-2 from play. That led the Lillywhites into last weekend's All-Ireland quarter-final clash with Meath, which they were so impressive in and qualified them for an All-Ireland semi-final showdown with Down.

Congratulating the July Player of the Month award winners, GAA Ard Stiúrthóir Páraic Ó Dufaigh said: "It's an honour to be here today to jointly present the awards to two of the stars of the 2010 season. Tony Browne has decorated the GAA calendar with so many outstanding performances over the years and this year, at the ripe age of 37, is going as well as ever. It is great also to see Eamonn Callaghan getting recognition for his outstanding season and he, and indeed Kildare generally, have been a breath of fresh air in the 2010 championship, as we saw again in last weekend's outstanding display."

On behalf of sponsors Vodafone, Fixed Services Director Eileen Maher, who jointly presented the awards with GAA Ard Stiúrthóir Páraic Ó Dufaigh, said: "This is the business end of the season, when the championship heats up and players reach their peak. Today's award winners have certainly shown they are on top form and we are delighted to be able to honour both Eamonn and Tony, who have lit up the football and hurling championships with brilliant performances in July." Tweet

Most Read Stories