Dublin footballer and Galway hurler win monthly awards

Dublin footballer Éamon Fennell and Galway hurler Iarla Tannian picked up their first Vodafone GAA Player of the Month awards this afternoon in Dublin.

The talented pair were announced as the first award winners of 2010, following their outstanding displays in the Allianz National Football and Hurling Leagues during February.

The ceremony also saw Player of the Year awards handed out to Cork's Angela Walsh (Ladies Football) and Ann Dalton of Kilkenny (Camogie) for their performances in the 2009 Championships.

Tannian was rewarded with the hurling Player of the Month award for two outstanding league performances as the Tribesmen made a strong start to the league campaign.

The Ardrahan clubman scored 1-2 after being introduced as a substitute in the victory over Limerick and, with that game-time under his belt, shot 2-2 from play two weeks later as John McIntyre's side overcame Waterford in Salthill.

Fennell gave a powerful performance from midfield in Dublin's opening round win over Kerry, scoring two crucial points from play in the process, and followed that up with another impressive performance in February, in the Parnell Park victory over Derry.

Since then, he has gone on to put in strong displays from his midfield berth in victories over Mayo and Monaghan and has the distinction of scoring in all four league games to date.

GAA President Christy Cooney said: "We are only a couple of months into the season and already we have seen some wonderful individual performances and, in that regard, our award winners today are deserving recipients.

"The 2010 season is promising to be something really special and no doubt Éamon and Iarla will have a big say in what lies ahead.

"Similarly, may I congratulate both Angela Walsh and Anne Dalton on their awards and no doubt they will be serving up many more great performances in 2010 also."

2009 was a memorable year for Camogie Player of the Year Ann Dalton who was part of the Kilkenny side who reached the All-Ireland senior final, having earlier captained Waterford IT to an Ashbourne Cup final - a title she retained with the college in recent weeks.

The 21-year-old Legal Studies student already has three All-Ireland club titles to her name with Freshford St. Lachtain's.

Congratulating Ann on winning the award, Camogie Association President Joan O'Flynn said: "While Anne may have been disappointed on her biggest day last year by not winning the All-Ireland title, her performances throughout the year really stood out, making her a deserving winner of the Vodafone Player of the Year award.

"To think that she has already achieved so much and is just 21-years-old suggests that there are many great days ahead for Anne and Kilkenny camogie."

Following a magical 2009, Angela Walsh, who starred at full-back as Cork won their fifth title in-a-row, was honoured with the Ladies Footballer of the Year award.

The former dual player now has seven All-Ireland titles with Cork - five in football and two in camogie (2005 and 2006).

A PE and Maths teacher at St. Augustine’s in Dungarvan, she was also a star player in Inch Rovers' memorable runs to the All-Ireland club finals of 2007 and 2008.

Speaking at the ceremony, President of the Ladies Football Association Pat Quill said: "Angela has won so many honours already in her career but being selected Vodafone Player of the Year award from a season that saw Cork win their fifth title in-a-row is a wonderful and much deserved honour for one of the greats of the game.

"This year Cork will be going for their sixth successive crown and if Angela manages to replicate her 2009 form, they will take some stopping."