Monaghan footballer Conor McManus and Galway hurler Jonathan Glynn have been named the GAA/GPA Opel Players of the Month for July.
The Farney County claimed their 16th Ulster title when they edged out Donegal for the second time in three years in last month’s Ulster final and they had McManus to thank for much of this as the captain led the line with an inspirational display.
McManus was unquestionably the thorn in Donegal’s side for most of the game, scoring 0-06 in his team’s 0-11 to 0-10 victory in front of a home crowd in Clones.
However, Monaghan went on to lose their quarter-final clash with Tyrone at the weekend with McManus adding 0-07 to his scoring tally for the year.
McManus said: “I’d like to thank Opel, the GAA and the GPA for honouring me with this award, and I accept it with great pride on behalf of my team-mates.
"We’re extremely disappointed that our campaign ended last Saturday after an excellent provincial championship. However, we will go back at it again next season and hope to build on the progress made in the county over the past number of years.”
Glynn was also in rousing form in Galway’s emphatic 2-28 to 0-22 All-Ireland quarter-final defeat of Cork at Semple Stadium.
Glynn was Galway’s stand-out forward on the day, scoring 1-02 from play, including a wonderful individual goal after just 52 seconds.
Galway will face Tipperary in Sunday’s All-Ireland semi-final full of confidence after their excellent quarter-final display.
Glynn said: “It’s an honour to be recognised by your peers, so I’m thrilled to accept the GAA/GPA Opel Player of the Month Award for July.
"We were hugely disappointed after the loss to Kilkenny in the Leinster final so it was really important for us to bounce back with a big performance.
"We’re delighted to now have a chance to stake a claim in the final but are all too aware how difficult the challenge will be against the Munster champions on Sunday.”
