Player awards for O'Neill and Larkin

Cork's Colm O'Neill and Kilkenny captain Eoin Larkin, who both helped their counties to league glory recently, have been announced as the GAA/GPA All-Stars Players of the Month in football and hurling respectively.

Both selections, chosen by the inter-county playing body, reflect the consistently high standards set by both counties in winning the Division 1 crowns.

The first monthly awards of the year mark the launch of the GAA/GPA All-Stars, sponsored by Opel, for the 2012 season.

O’Neill, who returned to action this year following a cruciate knee ligament injury, capped a memorable final performance with his fourth goal of the campaign - helping Cork to their third successive Division 1 title.

Larkin, meanwhile, delivered a man-of-the-match performance in Kilkenny's destruction of Cork in their Thurles decider as the Cats sent out a stern warning to the chasing pack in advance of the Championship.

Commenting on the announcement, GAA President Liam O'Neill said: "I congratulate both of our award winners who both excelled during the respective campaigns. Being selected by your peers is a special acknowledgement and I believe we will see both players have a major bearing on the Championships in the weeks and months ahead.

"I look forward to honouring similarly impressive displays from both footballers and hurlers with the GPA and Opel as the summer unfolds."

Gaelic Players Association CEO Dessie Farrell added: "Colm O'Neill's dedication in overcoming serious injury is truly inspirational and he proved again what a devastating finisher he is during the spring campaign.

"Kilkenny’s consistency for over a decade is unrivalled and their league final display was incredible with Eoin Larkin leading the way, a performance which was particularly significant in the absence of Henry Shefflin and Richie Power."