Ó Sé and Walsh win GPA awards

Tomás Ó Sé has been selected ahead of his Kerry teammate Tom O’Sullivan for September’s GPA footballer of the month award. Kilkenny’s Tommy Walsh picked up the hurling equivalent.

O’Sullivan was named man-of-the-match following Kerry’s All-Ireland final win over Cork but the GPA selection committee obviously felt Ó Sé made the more telling contribution at Croke Park.

“On All-Ireland final day, Tomás once again showed that he was a man for the big occasion,” explained Martin McHugh, chairman of the football  selection panel.

“Apart from doing his primary job of keeping his immediate marker under wraps, he was repeatedly on hand to pick up the breaks around the midfield area and also galloped forward at every opportunity – kicking two tremendous points.”

Walsh, who was named player of the year at the All Stars earlier this month, was one of the key figures as the Cats claimed a fourth successive hurling title.

“Tommy Walsh’s dynamic consistency is a central part of the Kilkenny machine,” said Donal O’Grady, chairman of hurling selection committee. “Once again in the intense pressure of the All-Ireland final, he was an outstanding presence for Kilkenny displaying the skills, anticipation and commitment for which he is renowned.”

The GPA teams of the year will be announced at an awards ceremony on Friday, November 6th.