Award hat-trick for Tyrone's O'Neill

On-fire Tyrone forward Stephen O'Neill has landed another Tennents/Ulster GAA Writers' Monthly Merit award - his third in the space of seven months.

O'Neill, who seems a shoe-in for the Footballer of the Year honour, earnt the July award for his form in front of the posts.

The 24-year-old teacher from Bellaghy has bagged 3-38, including six points in Saturday's drawn All-Ireland quarter-final with Dublin, in seven championship outings this summer.

O'Neill, a winner of the Ulster award in both January and March of this year, receives a Sports Voucher from Bass Ireland, an engraved Belleek China vase, training gear from Pro*Star Sport and specially-designed cuff links from Gareth Mallon (Omeath) for his July win.

Meanwhile, the GAA's Central Council have confirmed that next year's Congress will be held in Killarney, the home town of President Sean Kelly, on April 21-22.

The 2007 Congress is to be held in Kilkenny to mark the presidency of Nicky Brennan, who assumes control from Kelly next April.