Limerick, Kilkenny and Kerry Aces honoured by Vodafone and the GAA

Four of the leading personalities in this year’s All-Ireland hurling and football championships were feted today at a joint presentation of the Vodafone GAA All Star Players of the Month awards for August and September at Dublin’s Westbury Hotel.

Kerry’s All-Ireland winning captain Declan O’Sullivan and his teammate, Colm Cooper joined hurlers Eddie Brennan from Kilkenny and Andrew O’Shaughnessy from Limerick to collect the awards from the President of the GAA, Nickey Brennan and the CEO of Vodafone Ireland, Charles Butterworth.

O’Sullivan and O’Shaughnessy were chosen for their performances in the All-Ireland semi-finals during August, while Cooper and Brennan were selected following their outstanding performances in the All-Ireland finals earlier this month.

It has been a hectic few weeks of activity for O’Sullivan who joined an elite group of players to captain their counties to consecutive All-Ireland titles. The selectors, members of the Vodafone All Stars Steering Committee, singled out his performance against Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final as a true sign of his qualities as a player and captain.

This is O’Sullivan’s first player of the month award while Colm Cooper is honoured for the second time. He also picked up the September award in 2004 following another outstanding individual display as Kerry added to their illustrious roll of honour.

Andrew O’Shaughnessy may not have collected an All-Ireland medal this year but he enjoyed a brilliant championship in which his display in Limerick’s All-Ireland semi-final success against Waterford was a highlight. He scored 2-7 in that game as Limerick reached their first All-Ireland final in eleven years.

In that final Eddie Brennan produced another of his trademark displays for Kilkenny. His brilliant goal in the ninth minute set the pattern for the game as he added another five points from play to play a major part in Kilkenny’s success.

Congratulating the four players Nickey Brennan said; “The four players we honour here today represent everything that is good about our games. This has been a great championship season. While Kilkenny and Kerry re-emerged as the two best teams in hurling and football we also enjoyed the emergence of new talent.”

On behalf of Vodafone, Charles Butterworth said; “It is my pleasure to congratulate the four players we honour today. They have produced some spectacular displays in the most demanding environment and deserve every award that comes their way.”

For further information, please contact:

Darina Sexton, Vodafone Press Office, 087 7753000
Donal Keenan, 087 8060707