UGAAWA Banquet 2009

Flooded roads, many of them closed, throughout Ulster at the weekend didn’t deter almost 500 people from attending the Quinn Insurance Ulster GAA Writers’ annual banquet, at the Slieve Russell Hotel where the yearly honours were  distributed.

Among the attendance were various personalities from sponsors Quinn Insurance, including the boss man himself, Sean Quinn, GAA Ard Stiúrthóir Paraic Duffy, Ulster President Tom Daly plus secretary Danny Murphy, Treasurer Martin McAviney and PRO Michael Hasson. In attendance, too, was John Maguire, MD of Belleek Pottery, suppliers of the annual and monthly trophies.

Other special guests were World handball champions from Ulster and members of the Ulster Football team and their mentors, the recent winners of a record 29th MD Donnelly Interprovincial Championship title.

The Personality of the Year award went to Derryman, Liam Bradley, the manager of the Antrim football team that created a surprise in Ulster football this year while creating a record was Pat McEneaney. The Monaghan whistler received the Referee of the Year Award for a fifth time. World Open champion Paul Brady collected the Handball Award and Fiona Shannon, who like Brady won a record third World Open title, was presented with Chairman Jerry Quinn’s Award.

Awards were presented in 11 categories covering all aspects of the GAA while Ulster President Tom Daly handed over the interprovincial medals to the Ulster players and management.

Tom Daly also received a present from Chairman Jerry Quinn on behalf of the UGAAWA members – a painting of Rossnowlagh Beach by Fermanagh artist Jo Tinney – to mark the end of his term in office. Tom will hand over the reins to a new Ulster President in February.

Quinn Insurance Ulster GAA Writers Awards 2009:

Personality of the Year: Liam Bradley (Antrim)
Male Footballer of the Year: Kevin Hughes (Tyrore)
Hurler of the Year: Neil McManus (Antrim)
Lady Footballer of the Year: Caroline Little (Fermanagh)
Handball Award: Paul Brady (Cavan)
Camogie Award: Grainne McGoldrick (Derry)
Service to the GAA: Bernie Mullan (Derry)
Referee of the Year: Pat McEneaney (Monaghan)
Communications: Fergal McCormack (Warrenpoint)
Young Achiever of the Year (Cormac McAnallen Award): Michael Murphy (Donegal)
Chairman’s Award: Fiona Shannon (Antrim)

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Article By Tony McGee