Last Friday night saw the presentation of the Northern Standard sponsored Monaghan GAA Annual Awards for 2009 at a special dinner in the Hill Grove Hotel in front of a good-sized attendance. Prior to commencement of proceedings the chairman of the Social and Awards Committee J P Graham in welcoming everyone to the function also passed a vote of condolence with the Smith family on the death of Mrs. Kathleen Smith, proprietor of the Northern Standard who had passed to her eternal reward on Wednesday last. Special mention was also made of the late John McAviney who had been the photographer at the awards night for many, many years and everyone stood in a moment's silent reflection as a mark of respect to the late Mrs Kathleen Smith and John McAviney. The highlight of the night, as always the conferring of Hall of Fame status but this year was a unique occasion in that it was on multiple award as the remaining members of the panel of players that took Ulster and All Ireland junior honours in 1956 were all inducted into the Hall of Fame. The occasion also saw the presentation of a number of special awards to mark the achievements of the Emyvale Ceilidh Dancing Team in winning an All Ireland Scor title last year and Darren Doherty for his achievements in bringing 2 World handball titles to Monaghan last year. Two officers who had stepped down under the five-year rule from their positions at Convention also had special mementoes presented to them. The other presentations on the night were to the referees who handled the various championship finals last year and a special presentation to Ciaran Rudden, the referee who was nominated by the Youth Board for his services to underage football. County chairman Paul Curran in welcoming the guests and in congratulating the winners spoke of the benefits that having such a ceremony as it is a recognition of the excellence of our players, our clubs and club officials and also an acknowledgement of the services of players to Monaghan in the past. He reflected particularly on the award of the Club Official of the year to Robert Kidney of Clontibret, a man he described as "most deserving of the recognition" and how rewarding it was to see that someone "who did not occupy a position in the higher echelons of the officer board of the club" was recognised for their service.

PLAYER AWARDS.
The Senior Footballer of the Year for 2009, Conor McManus was described as a player where superlatives are the norm rather than the exception in describing his performances and a player whose burgeoning talents light up any game that he takes part in. To date he has amassed three senior football championships, two senior football leagues, two minor football championships and an Ulster minor champions tournament medal as well as medals at under 21 level. and he is just turned 21. Last year his contribution to his club's success in regaining the Monaghan senior football championship saw him score 1-40 out of a total of 3-81 up to the final where he added 1-9 to that tally. On the provincial stage he scored five points in Clontibret's victory over Dromore and nine points in their Ulster club semi-final against St Galls although on that day he was playing with handicap of a broken bone in his wrist. As a county player he has demonstrated that he is up there with the best as his game is based on pure skill, stamina and pace although at times he does not get the protection during matches that he should and he is a player who has the ability to help bring Monaghan's performances to a new level.
The Intermediate Footballer of the Year for 2009, Neil McAdam of Monaghan Harps was described as being in the bracket of players who can change the course of matches, particularly vital matches, by performing special feats at crucial times and that had been the hallmark of his displays last year. In the second half of last year's intermediate final he almost single-handedly turned the game around with a display of commitment and leadership that generated the tide that lifted all those around him. Later too on the provincial stage he demonstrated those same qualities although the second-half resurgence that he helped generate in the Ulster club intermediate semi-final was just not enough to see his side over the line in an absolute thriller in the Athletic Grounds in Armagh. He has already represented the county at minor and under 21 and is currently a member of the senior panel and he has shown that he has the qualities that will see him establish himself as a regular on the Monaghan senior team for some time to come.

The Junior Footballer of the Year for 2009, Emyvale's Sean McMeel was described as a player whose speed of thought and fleetness of foot, allied to great courage and vision were qualities that he showed repeatedly in his club's march to success in 2009. He also showed a great level of mental strength in his approach to whatever task he was delegated and generally it was an important one as repeatedly his was the job of policing danger men on the opposition and while his qualities as a defender were already well known in the club last year saw him bring a new dimension to his game as he played a major part in his club's success in winning the Monaghan and Ulster junior football championship titles.

The Young Footballer for 2009, Clontibret's Colm Greenan, had been described by his club manager as a massive player for them in 2009 whihch could give the impression that he was one of the more senior players in the club but to get recognition such as that at just 20 years of age speaks volumes for the qualities that this lad shows as a player. Last year he battened down a position for himself on the Clontibret senior team and made the transition very effectively, slotting into the team structure with ease and was at home in a variety of positions as his versatility saw him designated different roles in different matches. He holds 2 senior football championship medals, a senior football league medal, an under 21 medal and a minor football championship as well as reserve titles and he is now on the county senior panel.
The Senior Hurler for 2009, Truagh's John McAnespie was described as proof of the adage Mol an Oige and was a product of the under age coaching system that was part of the Sceim Iomana Dha Mhile. Initially he played his hurling with Monaghan Harps but later his home club Truagh took up the game and he has plied his trade with them since. As a student at the Letterkenny Institute of Technology he was named as the Hurler of the Year in 2002 and he has been involved with the Monaghan senior team for the last three years. 2009 was a good year for him and his selection as senior hurler of the year was vindicated when he was named as Monaghan's representative on the Nicky Rackard champion 15.
Young Hurler of the Year for 2009, C'Blayney's Barney Connor, was described as "a young player who has already made a big impact at both club and county level. He has won titles with Castleblayney at U12, U14, U16 and minor level and he is also the holder of Senior league and Senior championships medals as well as an Ulster league and an Ulster junior Club Championship medal. He has represented Monaghan at minor, U21 and senior level and is the holder of 2 Ulster U21 B championship medals and a national hurling league div 4 medal in 2008.

Ladies Football Award for 2009 went to Amanda Casey of Donaghmoyne who had a superb year for both club and county. Amanda played a central role in guiding her club to a seventh successive county title, the Ulster title and the All Ireland Senior Club title. The midfielder also turned in some wonderful performances in the county colours but missed out on back to back All Star Awards.

The Camogie Award for 2009 went to Roisin McKenna who was described as "a born goalkeeper" as she shows the all-important reflexes, skills and intelligent reading of the game necessary for this position. In addition to her club performances she has manned the county nets at senior level for the past 5 years and has chosen for the International Camogie/Shinty Team both in 2008 and 2009.

The Handball Award for 2009 went to Emyvale's Pete Larkin who was described as
having "a tremendous year on the playing court which resulted in him winning one All Ireland title, The Golden Masters One Wall and being Ulster Runner up in three other competitions in Ulster". As well as playing Pete was described as a great Coach who puts serious effort and time into working with the young players. His coaching and mentoring skills were well rewarded last year when his young protegee Darren Doherty won two world titles as well as having great success at National level with two All-Ireland wins and it was stated that "without people like Pete Larkin the Emyvale Handball Club probably would not exist".

PRESENTATIONS TO OFFICIALS.
The Club Official of the Year for 2009, Robert Kidney is a native of the Tempo area of Co Fermanagh but has lived in Clontibret longer than he did in his native place. Emigrated to England as a young man and when he returned to Ireland in 1976 it was to Clontibret that he came and he has been a constant in the Clontibret club ever since. His first involvement with the club was as a 1st aid man but it is as the groundsman at O'Neill Park, a position he has held for some ten years now, that he is best known, being described as an institution at O'Neill Park, where, as well as his care taking duties he sometimes doubles as a weather man, giving very accurate forecasts depending on which direction the flags at the ground are blowing.


The Youth Official for 2009, Rockcorry's Martina McKeown is only the second lady
to take this award since this category was introduced in 2002 and she was cited for "outstanding service in a difficult year at club level, often single-handedly looking after underage affairs".

The Club Of The Year for 2009, Toome St. Victor's, was not a club that amassed a major number of trophies or broken any records on the playing fields last year, but rather a club that has proven without doubt that the small club, particularly the small rural club, is the bedrock of the GAA and has established itself at the very heart of the community. The Toome club was initially founded in 1927 but that club lasted just three years and a further 18 years had elapsed before they were re-formed in 1948 but a further 10 years were to elapse before the first playing honours came their way when they won the Dr Ward Cup, in 1958. Three years later the club won the junior football championship in 1961 when they defeated Aughnamullen in the final after a replay after being defeated in the final in both 1958 and 1959. The club now had established themselves on a much stronger footing but the next major success was in 1975 when they captured the intermediate double. Thereafter honours proved elusive but the club developed and their new home St Victor's Park, which also boasted a community centre was opened in 1996. The most recent development was the provision of a state-of-the-art 3G pitch at St Victors Park and that facility was officially opened on Saturday March 7th last year by Brendan Smith TD and was described by him as an investment in and commitment to, the youth of the area. Over the years too the club has provided players at county level in all grades and has provided personnel who have also worked at county committee level and none more so than the late Brian Ruddy, the late Patsy Lambe and the late great Mickey McArdle, the latter a member of the last St. Macartens team to win the MacRory Cup back in 1956. Toome reached the final of the junior football championship last year only to lose narrowly to Emyvale but with the resources and the excellent facilities the club has provided the future in Toome is very bright.

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS.
Last Friday night saw a number of special presentations for service and achievement. The Emyvale Ceili Dancing team was presented with a specially commissioned plaque to mark their All Ireland Scor Sinsir title in 2009. The plaque was accepted by Gerard McQuaid. Darren Doherty was also the recipient of a special presentation to mark his 2 World handball titles last year while John Connolly and Declan Flanagan were each presented with a memento to mark their five years service, Connolly as chairman of the County Board and Flanagan for his 5 years as a delegate to the Ulster Council.

REFEREES PRESENTATIONS.
Also included in last Friday night's presentations were the referees who had taken charge of the various championship finals in 2009 along with the referee who was nominated by the Youth Board for outstanding service. Sean Gilsenan (Donaghmoyne) was the referee for the final of the senior football championship, Xavier Coyle (Tyholland), took charge of his first intermediate championship final in 2009 to add to his growing list of achievements, Dermot Lynch (Killeevan), who is still juggling his refereeing with playing for Killeevan took charge of his first major championship final last year while Patrick Caulfield (Blackhill), moved up the rankings by being appointed to the final of the minor football championship. Malachy Trainor (Clontibret) was in charge of the senior hurling championship which made for a double in the Trainor family as his father, also Malachy, had been similarly honoured by being in charge of the senior hurling championship some years back. The Youth Referee award went to Ciaran Rudden (Killeevan), for his services to youth football, often coming in at literally an hour's notice to prevent games being postponed when the appointed referee was unavailable.

HALL OF FAME.
As always the highlight of the Awards ceremony was the conferring of the Hall of Fame which for 2009 was a multiple award as the decision had been made to induct the remaining ten members of the 1956 team en bloc. On the night only six were able to attend as four had tendered apologies for their inability to be present for a variety of reasons but it was obvious from their remarks and even from their demeanor that they were extremely proud not only of their achievements back in 1956 but also for being remembered and honoured in this way.

Noel Ward played his club football with Ballybay with whom he picked up senior football championship medals in 1953, 1954, 1957 and 1959 as well as a Hackett Cup medal in 1958 and a SFL medal, in 1953. He represented Monaghan at senior level in league and championship as well as in the Lagan Cup.

Eamonn "Dodo" Murphy who was unavoidably absent on Friday night last was a member of the Monaghan senior team in 1955 having played on the junior team in 1954. As a member of the 1956 team he made a number of appearances and came on to good effect in the home final against Kildare. At club level he won SFC medals with Ballybay in 1953, 1954, 1957 and 1959 and played in the county final in 1955.

Peter McGinn who played his club football with Castleblayney was the regular keeper on the Monaghan junior team up to the All Ireland home final when he was replaced by Tommy McArdle, playing in five out of the seven games Monaghan played. As a player with Castleblayney he won senior football championship medals in 1963, 1964, 1965 and 1966. He was a substitute on the Castleblayney team that lost the county final in 1960 and he also played in the finals of '61 and '62. As well as those senior championship medals he also picked up a number of senior football league medals but top of the collection is his Ulster and All Ireland medals for 1956 as well as the O'Duffy Cup medal he won against Fermanagh in the then Easter Sunday fixture, the occasion also being his inter county debut.

Matthew Dowd was a native of Kingscourt but moved to Monaghan when his father was transferred there at his work. As a player with Carrickmacross he picked up 3 minor football championship medals. When he moved to Monaghan he actually had thought of joining Emyvale who were a senior team but Carrickmacross prevailed and his whole club involvement in Monaghan was with the Emmets.

Dermot Connolly picked up a Dr Ward cup medal with Killanny having earlier in his career as a student been involved in the successful St. Macartens MacRory cup team of 1950/51. He also played on the successful All Ireland Colleges team that year when The Sem had nine representatives on the team.

Pat Sherry, Scotstown who featured in a number of games in the 1956 success also had the distinction of being a member of the successful Scotstown team in 1960 and that took the club's first senior football championship, a game where he also has the record of scoring Scotstown's first point in a SFC final and he went on to pick up further honours with the club but still cherishes his involvement in 1956.

Matt Conlon played his club football with Ballybay with whom he picked up senior football championship medals in 1957 and 1959 as well as a SFL medal in 1957 and a Hackett Cup medal in 1958. He represented Monaghan at junior level in 1954 and at times was also a club delegate to the county committee.

Pascal McArdle has the distinction of playing with three clubs during his time in Monaghan, Clones, Monaghan Harps and Scotstown. He won an intermediate football championship medal with Monaghan Harps in 1954 and also picked up medals with Scotstown. As well as his involvement with the county junior team in 1956 he also played on the Monaghan team that took part in the Ulster senior football championship and the Lagan Cup in that same year.

John Slevin played his club football with Carrickmacross where the highlight of his career was winning the Monaghan minor championship in both 1953 and 1954. He was the captain of the team that won the Fr Maguire Cup in 1953 and they completed the minor double in 1954. His studies however kept him away from the local scene and while he was a member of the panel in 1956 he did not take part in any of the games.

Jimmy Sherry's participation in the 1956 Monaghan success was curtailed when he suffered a broken leg during the early stages of the campaign. As well as representing Monaghan Jimmy also has the distinction of being a member of the Scotstown team that took the first ever senior football championship title to the club in 1960 and he went on to represent the club with distinction over the next 10 years, being referred to as "Mr. Consistency" for his style of play. Tweet

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