Brian Dooher and Ollie Moran named Players of the Month
Two of the county’s most experienced and respected sportsmen, Tyrone footballer Brian Dooher and Limerick hurler Ollie Moran, were named today as the Vodafone GAA All Stars Players of the Month for June.
The awards marked their extraordinary contributions to a month of superb championship action in which Dooher produced an outstanding performance as Tyrone beat Donegal in the Ulster semi-final, while Moran was consistently brilliant during the epic series of games between Limerick and Tipperary.
Speaking at the awards ceremony in Dublin on behalf of Vodafone Ireland Rosemary Steen, Head of Corporate Affairs, said the company was fully committed to supporting the GAA All Stars scheme as a means of recognising the talent and the dedication of the country’s elite Gaelic footballers and hurlers.
"We regard it as an honour to sponsor the official GAA All Stars scheme which was introduced 36 years ago and in which almost 1,100 footballers and hurlers have been honoured annually. The All Star award is one of the most coveted honours in Irish sport and it is a dream of every young boy to some day be feted as one of the best players of the year.
"When Vodafone became the sponsor of the All Stars and the Player of the Month scheme in 1999 we re-introduced the annual All Stars tour. On alternate years the hurlers and footballers have visited Dubai, Buenos Aires, Phoenix, Las Vegas, San Diego, Hong Kong and Singapore. These experiences have been greatly appreciated by the players and plans are underway for the next tour, details of which will be announced soon.
"During Vodafone’s sponsorship of the Player of the Month awards the scheme was expanded to include the best hurler and best footballer every month. We also annually honour the leading Ladies’ footballer, Camogie player and Handballer, as well as the top referees. It is a major commitment from Vodafone but one we regard as extremely valuable.
"It has been extremely rewarding to experience the joy and appreciation of the players through our years of sponsorship when they received both the monthly and annual awards. The monthly gathering has become an important social event that involves not just the players but also their families and friends. The All Star awards have stood the test of time. The list of winners is a who’s who of Gaelic Games and I am sure that thirty years from now the roll of honour will be as glorious as it is today," she said.
This is Brian Dooher's second Vodafone Player of the Month award having been previously honoured four years ago in August 2003. The Clanna Gael club player was also selected as a Vodafone All Star in 2003 and picked up a second award in 2005. He has also toured with the Vodafone All Stars.
Ollie Moran, a Vodafone All Star nominee and tourist as a defender, returned to attacking duties after a six year break for this year's championship and it has proven to be a remarkable success. He led the line from centre half forward and was Limerick's inspiration in the first two games against Tipperary. Fittingly he scored one of the winning points in the second replay.
From the Ahane club, Ollie is a multi-talented sportsman who was once earmarked as a future rugby international star but chose to concentrate on hurling.
The President of the GAA, Nickey Brennan, paid tribute to the players. "All of us were enthralled by the wonderful contribution of all the players in the three games between Limerick and Tipperary and Ollie is an outstanding representative of that group. It was also wonderful last month to see Tyrone and Brian Dooher in full flight again."
For further information, please contact:
Darina Sexton, Vodafone Press Office 087 7753000
Donal Keenan, 087 8060707