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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.
November 2009
(Quinn Insurance Regional Sales Manager Malcolm Crawford and UGAAWA chairman Jerry Quinn present the November Monthly Merit Award to Rory Gallagher (St Gall's). )
RORY GALLAGHER has made a piece of history that may never be matched. He has won senior club championship medals at interprovincial level in both Leinster and Ulster and for his exploits during November 2009 he wins our Monthly Merit Award.
The much-travelled Belleek man arrived in Belfast before the 2009 season began and joined his brother Ronan in the St Gall's Club. Lucky for Rory and the "Blues" as he played a major role in bringing the Ulster title to Milltown.
It was in the provincial semi-final that Gallagher showed his true colours. He rocketed home two goals and three points to send Clontibret out of the championship. In the final against Derry champions Loup, at Newry, Rory hit just one point but, to quote a colleague, "he played an unselfish game bringing his team mates into the match."
His contribution to the victory went far beyond his one point as he contributed to a number of scores hit home by his team mates.
"I was delighted at winning the Ulster title and now to get the monthly award really tops the victory. I'm very pleased at being chosen by the Ulster GAA Writers for their Quinn-Insurance monthly award," said Rory at a reception in the Quinn Group Enniskillen offices.
Former Fermanagh star Rory, who is set for a comeback with the Erne County, pipped his St Gall's namesake, but no relation, Aodhan Gallagher, for the award with Cookstown's Barry Mulligan also in the mix. Former All-Ireland medallist Chris Lawn, the Cookstown manager, also got special mention.
Rory Gallagher was presented, at the reception, with his award of an UGAAWA Sports Voucher, an engraved Belleek China Vase and specially crafted Silver Cuff Links from Omeath jeweller Garrett Mallon by Quinn-Insurance Regional Sales Manager Malcolm Crawford. He will also receive training gear from O'Neill's International Sports and two tickets plus overnight accommodation for the UGAAWA 2010 banquet.
