Derry hurlers honoured at Irish News Ulster All-Star Awards
The Derry senior hurling team have picked up a major accolade at the prestigious 21st Irish News Ulster All Star awards.
The Oakleafers picked up a Merit Hurling Award which was presented to captain, Sean McCullagh.
Under manager Tom McClean (pictured), Derry this year reached the final of the Christy Ring Cup for the first time, only to be beaten by Kerry.
No Derry players made the All-Star football team of the year which is dominated by Donegal, Tyrone and Monaghan with Monaghan’s Conor McManus named Player of the Year.
The Irish News Ulster All Star football team of 2015 is:
1. Paul Durcan Donegal 2. Vinny Corey Monaghan 3. Neil McGee Donegal 4. Ryan Wylie Monaghan 5. Dessie Mone Monaghan 6. Ryan McHugh Donegal 7. Karl O’Connell Monaghan 8. Eoin Donnelly Fermanagh 9. Neil Gallagher Donegal 10. Mattie Donnelly Tyrone 11. Michael Murphy Donegal 12. Peter Harte Tyrone 13. Sean Cavanagh Tyrone 14. Sean Quigley Fermanagh 15. Conor McManus Monaghan
The award winners were unveiled last night in the Armagh City Hotel.
The uniqueness of the Irish News Ulster AllStars is that the player selection is entirely based on fan choice – readers select in their opinion the 15 players of the Championship.
Commenting on the success of the awads, Noel Doran, editor of The Irish News said: `We set out to recognise the outstanding performers in ladies football, camogie and hurling, as well as naming the men's football team of the year, as voted by our readers, and the overall Ulster player of the year, so this is one of the most important events in the GAA's calendar.
“Standards are higher than ever, as the fantastic Ulster Final proved. There is enormous excitement surrounding our entire programme.”
Ulster GAA President Martin McAviney said: "We had a great Ulster Championship with numbers attending games up on last year and that is down to our players and I am delighted that we have recognised some of those players here in the Irish News Ulster All Stars."
The evening was hosted by Joanne Cantwell, RTE Sport presenter, with the legendary RTE presenter Michaél O’ Muircheartaigh as guest speaker and Uachtarán Cumann Luthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail as guest of honour.