Monthly awards for Dunnion and Kelly

The Vodafone GAA AllStars awards for the month of February have been presented today to Donegal footballer Barry Dunnion and Waterford hurler Eoin Kelly.

The pair received their awards from GAA President Nickey Brennan at a reception in Dublin's Westbury Hotel.

The 24-year-old half-back Dunnion, who plays for the Four Masters club, was a pivotal figure last month as Donegal went unbeaten through the opening three rounds of the National Football League.

The Tír Chonaill men are two points clear at the top of the Division 1A table ahead of their all-Ulster clash with Tyrone on Saturday night.

In an early show of strength, Brian McIver's men beat Cork, Mayo and Dublin, the provincial champions of Munster, Connacht and Leinster, to get their league title bid off to a 100% start.

This is a first monthly award for Dunnion, who was a Vodafone AllStar nominee last year and is in only his second full season at senior inter-county level.

The experienced Eoin Kelly, meanwhile, was a monthly award winner in May 2005 and a Vodafone AllStar in 2002.

In the Déise's only NHL outing last month, Kelly scored 10 outstanding points, five of them from play, as Justin McCarthy's men handed Wexford a 1-23 to 1-12 beating at Wexford Park.

The talented wing forward recently transferred clubs, moving from Mount Sion to Passage.

Commenting on the award winners, Nickey Brennan said: "The early rounds of the National League have been extremely competitive and already we have enjoyed some outstanding displays."

"Barry and Eoin are two of the most consistent players in Gaelic Games and are obviously intent on maintaining their very high standards."