Player accolades for Keaney and Gardiner

Dublin footballer Conal Keaney and Cork hurler John Gardiner have been selected as the Vodafone GAA All-Star Players of the Month for June.

The duo were presented with their gongs by GAA President Nickey Brennan and Vodafone Sponsorship Executive Enda Lynch at the Westbury Hotel in Dublin today.

The award is a well-timed fillip for the 24-year-old Keaney, who is preparing with Paul Caffrey's Dublin squad for Sunday's Leinster SFC final against Offaly.

The Ballyboden St. Enda's star scored 0-08 (6f) in Dublin's Leinster first round victory over Longford, while he grabbed 0-06 (2f) in the impressive semi-final defeat of Laois.

The former dual star, who has concentrated on football for the past two seasons, won the hurling award in February 2003 after helping Dublin to Walsh Cup glory.

Gardiner, also the Hurler of the Month last June, was in majestic form during Cork's Munster SHC final win over Tipperary on June 25. The Na Piarsaigh clubman struck over two points against Tipp and will hope to continue his scoring form against Limerick in the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

The 23-year-old half-back, a noted free-taker, claimed his first All-Star award last season after playing a pivotal role in Cork's retaining of the Liam McCarthy Cup.

Nickey Brennan paid tribute to the players, saying: "Very special qualities are demanded of our footballers ands hurlers in the white heat of championship. Both Conal and John have consistently proven that they possess these qualities in abundance."

On behalf of Vodafone, Enda Lynch added: "One never ceases to be amazed at the breadth of gifts which players like Conal and John possess. They have been superb performers in the championship and we can look forward to more of the same in the weeks to come."