Ulster award for Gall's boss Rafferty

St Gall's manager John Rafferty has won the Tennent's/Ulster GAA Writers' Merit Award for November having masterminded the Antrim side's AIB Ulster Club football title win.

Gall's saw off the challenges of Tyrone champions Carrickmore and Mayobridge of Down before beating Derry's best Bellaghy 1-8 to 0-8 in the Ulster decider on November 27.

It was the first time an Antrim club had lifted the Ulster trophy since Gall's own success back in 1982.

Rafferty, PE head at St Paul's High School, Bessbrook, said of his award: “Winning had little to do with me as all I did was run up and down the line shouting. It was all done by the players.”

Rafferty had a long playing career with Armagh county footballers. Between 1987 and 1999, he won an Ulster SFC medal, two Dr. McKenna Cups and a NFL Division Three title with the Orchard men.