Monthly awards for Munnelly and Shanahan

The Vodafone GAA Players of the Month awards for July have gone to Laois footballer Ross Munnelly and Waterford hurler Dan Shanahan.

The duo were on hand at the Westbury Hotel in Dublin today to collect their gongs from GAA President Nickey Brennan.

"While the campaign ended in disappointment for Dan, he can be very proud of his part in Waterford's epic journey," said Brennan. "Ross has been an inspiration to Laois and a great example to young players all over the country."

The pair played in three championship matches each during last month, scoring 3-15 between them.

Munnelly, who shot 2-8 during that period, is only playing in his fourth championship season, but is already one of the country's leading forwards.

The 24-year-old Arles-Kilcruise clubman was in excellent form as Laois ended the All-Ireland campaigns of 2005 champions Tyrone and their Leinster rivals Meath and Offaly with three thrilling qualifier wins.

A teacherby trade, Munnelly's best performance came in the victory over the Royals as he smashed home two second-half goals - taking his tally to 2-4 - in devastating fashion.

Shanahan was at the heart of Waterford's run through to the All-Ireland semi-finals this summer - the big Lismore man's value was plain for all to see when he scored 1-5 in the quarter-final defeat of Tipperary, setting up a number of other scores for his team mates.

This is the 29-year-old's second Player of the Month honour - he was also feted in May 2004.

Shanahan made his championship debut back in 1998, following in the footsteps of his father Brian. He counts Peter Clohessy, Roy Keane and Tiger Woods as his sporting heroes.