O’Neill completes Footballer of the Year hat-trick

Three Footballer of the Year awards in the space of three weeks – that’s the record of Tyrone sharpshooter Stephen O’Neill, who lifted the 2005 Vodafone GAA Footballer of the Year award at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin last night.

The 24-year-old forward was the voting panel’s unanimous choice after his sizzling scoring form. He struck 5-49 in this year's All-Ireland championship, helping the Red Hands to their second Sam Maguire trophy in three seasons.

The Clan na nGael clubman also scooped the Gaelic Players’ Association Footballer of the Year award and the GAA Writers’ Footballer of the Year accolade in recent weeks.

The unassuming O’Neill said at Citywest: “It’s been a brilliant year and a lot of people in Tyrone have put in a lot of hard work, so this award is as much for them as it is for me.”

O'Neill was also voted as Ulster Player of the Year award at the Irish News/Ulster Fans’ All-Stars ceremony in September.

Meanwhile, tonight’s Vodafone All-Stars banquet also saw Cork’s Jerry O’Connor named as 2005 Hurler of the Year. The Newtownshandrum midfielder, who hit the winning point in the All-Ireland semi-final win over Clare, was selected on the All-Star team for the second successive year on Wednesday.

Armagh’s Aaron Kernan and Galway youngster David Collins made up in some part for their All-Ireland senior final losses in September by claiming the Young Footballer of the Year and the Young Hurler of the Year awards respectively.