Ulster GAA Writers Awards 2009

The Ulster GAA Writers’ Association was formed in May 1988 with the purpose of increasing public interest in Gaelic Games within Ulster.
All members of the Association are full-time working journalists dealing with GAA matters at local or national level.

The QUINN-Insurance/UGAAWA Monthly Merit Award is made to persons within the GAA whom the Association feel have done something special during the month. This award can go to anyone within the GAA – football (male & female), hurling, camogie, handball, Scor, etc.

The Ulster GAA Writers’ Association meets monthly and various items are discussed and the Monthly Merit Award winner is chosen. The award carries a prize of a Sports Voucher, a specially designed and engraved Belleek China Vase and other gifts. The awards are presented at a monthly function.

Annual awards are presented at the Annual Banquet and are not disclosed until the moment of presentation.

A feature of the banquet is The Ballot of Prizes, with up to ten sponsored prizes, raising thousands of pounds annually and the money collected goes to a nominated charity every year - GOAL, St Vincent de Paul, the Omagh Disaster Fund, the Quinn Family Appeal, The Children's Hospice Appeal and The Leukaemia Research Fund have all benefited in the past.


January 2010


(L-R): Tyrone's Martin Penrose (January Merit Award Winner), Martin Higgins (Quinn-insurance Commerical Manager) who made the presentations, Christine O'Donnell (O'Neill's International Sports), Kilcoo's Darragh O'Hanlon (December Merit Award Winner). Pic: Oliver McVeigh

There were many eye-catching performances during the January staging of the Barrett Lightning Dr McKenna Cup with players, despite the conditions, giving off their best. Among those who were particularly noticeable was Martin Penrose and for his run of top class displays he earns our Quinn-insurance Monthly Merit Award.

The lively attacker from Aghyaran tortured defences with his jinking runs and score-taking and it was no fault of his that Tyrone didn't collect the silverware. The 26-year-old sales representative bagged 3-3 in the exciting draw with Donegal; he rifled over three points against Fermanagh and hit another three in the final against Donegal. Still, Martin was surprised when told of winning our award.

"It is a big shock to me. I wouldn't have thought that I'd have been in the running but that makes it all the more delightful to get the nomination" he said.

To date, Martin has won two All-Ireland SFC medals, All-Ireland and Ulster minor awards, two Ulster SFC medals and two Ulster U21 championship trophies. Not a bad haul at all. Later this year he will be getting another major award - a wedding ring.

Martin gets his Monthly Merit Award ahead of Donegal's David Walsh who knocked in the winning goal in the Dr McKenna final against Tyrone while also in the frame were Donegal's Michael Murphy who notched 2-6 against Tyrone, newcomer Kyle Coney who impressed with the Red Hands last month, and Omagh minors who won the Ulster Club title. Martin received his presentation, at a function on Wednesday, February 10, from Quinn-insurance Commercial Manager Martin Higgins, also well-known as a referee.

The winner gets a £150 sports voucher, an engraved Belleek China vase, specially engraved silver cuff links from Garrett Mallon (Omeath) and training gear from O'Neill's International Sports.

He will also receive two tickets and overnight accommodation for the UGAAWA annual banquet next winter.