Ulster GAA Writers’ Monthly Merit Award
‘A Night in November’ was an award-winning play by Marie Jones and, surely, a ‘weekend in October’ was an award winner for Michael Murphy.
His exploits at Breffni Park and Ballybofey on October 19-20 will certainly go down in history.
It is well documented that Michael captained Ireland to a record slamming of the Aussies in the Rules contest with the first leg on October 19 all but settling the issue. However, he coupled that with more traditional GAA action by steering his club, Glenswilly, to Donegal SFC success next day.
On October 5, Glenswilly defeated Ardara by the minimum in the county semi-final and 24 hours after skippering Ireland to first leg success he was again the leader with his club, netting 1-5, as Glenswilly regained the Donegal honours with victory over Killybegs.
The Donegal star also, of course, played a huge role with Ireland in the second leg of the Rules clash, a week later at Croke Park.
This is Michael Murphy’s fourth time to win the Ulster GAA Writers’ Monthly Merit Award. He first collected it for April 2011, next time was for October 2011 and then for September 2012. He was also Personality of the Year for 2012.
For his latest award, Michael overcame challenges from Monaghan’s Conor McManus, who was ‘Man of the Match’ in the second game against Australia and who also hit all of Clontibret’s seven points in defeat by Scotstown in the Farney SFC. Another player on form was Cavan’s Niall McDermott who starred in Ballinagh’s first ever Breffni SFC final victory. Special mention is also made of Eddie McCloskey’s 2-2 for Loughgiel as the Shamrocks won their fourth-in-a-row Ulster Club SHC title.
At a function in Quinn’s Corner, Michael Murphy received his award of an engraved Belleek Living Vase, specially designed silver cuff links from Omeath jeweller Garrett Mallon, training gear compliments of O’Neill’s International Sportswear and two tickets, plus overnight accommodation, for the 26th annual UGAAWA banquet on November 15, in the Great Northern Hotel.
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