April awards for McGrath and Flanagan

Shane McGrath and Martin Flanagan have been honoured with the Opel Gaelic Player of the Month awards for April in hurling and football respectively.

Shane McGrath's outstanding performances for the Tipperary hurlers throughout this year's National Hurling League helped guide Tipperary to their first National league title since 2001.

McGrath has been an integral and important part of Liam Sheedy's Tipperary set up since he took over in late 2007.

Commenting on McGrath's selection, Chairman of the Opel Gaelic Players hurling selection committee, Donal O'Grady, said: 'Tipperary had a magnificent league campaign thanks in no small part to Shane.

He was a key player in midfield for the premier county as they dethroned last year's champions Waterford and the All Ireland champions Kilkenny on the way to defeating Ger Loughnane's Galway in the final.

It is an award which is richly deserved and bodes well for Tipperary's chances for the rest of 2008.

Westmeath midfield dynamo Martin Flanagan played a huge part in the Lake County's march to the Division 2 title. Flanagan's inspirational performances throughout this year's National Football league were a major factor in helping Westmeath capture the Division 2 title.

Chairman of the Opel Gaelic Players football selection committee, Jack O'Connor said: 'Martin was an outstanding performer for Westmeath throughout their impressive league campaign.

'He was particularly excellent in the Monaghan game where he performed heroics on a number of occasions to ensure Westmeath's place in the Division 2 final.'