Player awards for Shefflin and Ó Sé

Having helped their respective counties to National League titles, Kilkenny hurler Henry Shefflin and Kerry footballer Darragh Ó Sé have been named as Vodafone GAA Players of the Month for April.

Ballyhale ace Shefflin was outstanding in Kilkenny's NHL Division 1 final win last month. The 27-year-old scored 2-6 and set up Eoin Larkin for the Cats' other goal in their 3-11 to 0-14 defeat of Limerick.

Fit again after a groin injury, Shefflin also bagged 1-3 in Kilkenny's 3-20 to 2-11 semi-final victory over Tipperary.

Asked about his side's championship chances at today's ceremony in Dublin's Westbury Hotel, Shefflin said: "We have no God given right to win the All-Ireland. Every team starts out at the beginning of the year to try and win it. Obviously we'd like to win it just as every other team in the country would.

"I think we'll be there or there about as will some other teams. We'd love to get there but the best team wins it and in the last couple of years we haven't been the best team, and it's as simple as that."

An Ghaeltacht star Ó Sé, 29, was instrumental in driving Kerry to their second League crown in three seasons.

The 6ft midfielder was ever present during the League campaign, lining out in all nine games including last month's 2-12 to 0-10 final defeat of Galway.

Forming a formidable centre-field partnership with 6ft 5in youngster Kieran Donaghy, Ó Sé popped up with points in the Division 1A clashes with Fermanagh and Tyrone.