Ronan Wins August Writers’ Award

Ulster GAA Writers PRESS Release
When it comes to the closing stages of the All-Ireland championships,
sometimes minors, no matter what they have achieved, are forgotten about.
However, we, in the Ulster GAA Writers’ Association, like to think that we
keep tabs on all people in GAA affairs so for our Quinn Insurance/UGAAWA
Merit Award for August 2010 we honour teenager RONAN O’NEILL.
The Omagh St Enda’s footballer doesn’t really need an introduction as he
has been turning in storming performances with his club for some years at
underage levels. Last winter, he was one of the stars of the Omagh U18 team
that won the St Paul’s organised Ulster Minor Football Championship.
Bigger and better things were to come, of course, and Ronan now finds
himself preparing for the All-Ireland MFC final this month against Cork.
Tyrone’s victory over Mayo in the semi-final was a personal triumph for the
CBS sixth former as he hit home 1-4 and won the ‘Man-of-the-Match’ award.
“I never thought that I would be in the running for the UGAAWA award,”
enthused Ronan. “It is good to see people looking to the minors as we put in
as much effort as senior players. It is a boost before the All-Ireland final.”
To win the award for August, Ronan had some stout opposition to overcome
as Down seniors also marched into the Sam Maguire Cup final with Calum
King in the running for the award. James McCartan’s management of Down
was also noted but there was no doubt about who the winner of the award
should be.
At a function in Quinn’s Corner on Monday, September 6 Ronan was
presented with his award by Ronan McCabe, Private Lines Assistant Manager
for Quinn Insurance. The winner gets an engraved Belleek China vase,
specially designed silver cuff links by Omeath Jeweller Garrett Mallon, training
gear from O’Neill International Sports, a UGAAWA Sports Voucher and two
tickets plus overnight accommodation for our banquet at Slieve Russell Hotel
on Friday, November 16.