DERRY’S critically acclaimed full-back, Sean Martin Lockhart, awakes this morning the toast of his club, county and province to celebrate his first ever Allstar after a runaway decision at yesterday’s final selection meeting in Dublin.
An honour flagged since the Championship, confirmed by the shortlist, Lockhart romped home on the edge of the square, one of 10 players to come through the decision process with automatic flying colours. In the space of just seven days he has scored a fabulous double, having recently been honoured as Ulster’s Footballer of the Year.
Lockhart will receive his Eircell-sponsored accolade at Friday’s gala presentation banquet at the Burlington Hotel, and will be the only northern footballer to do so.
A Catch-22 with a difference, his award brings to the same number of Allstars to be taken home by Derry in the history of the GAA’s illustrious scheme which recognises feats on the field of play by its top class performers.
All-Ireland champions Galway, as predicted, topped the poll in this year’s awards. Galway will receive seven trophies tomorrow, the biggest haul by the championship winning side since Dublin in 1995, equalling also the other 1990s high achieved by then All-Ireland champions Down a year earlier
1998 GAA Football Allstars
Goalkeeper: Martin McNamara (Galway)
Right full-back: Brian Lacey (Kildare); Full-back: Sean Martin Lockhart (Derry); Left full-back: Tomas Mannion (Galway)
Right half-back: John Finn (Kildare) Centre half-back: Glen Ryan (Kildare) Left half-back: Sean Og de Paor (Galway)
Midfield: Kevin Walsh (Galway) and John McDermott (Meath)
Right half-forward: Michael Donnellan (Galway) Centre half-forward: Jarlath Fallon (Galway) Left half-forward: Dermot Earley (Kildare)
Right full-forward: Karl O’Dwyer (Kildare) Full-forward: Padraig Joyce (Galway) Left full-forward: Declan Browne (Tipperary)
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GREGORY Deegan’s injury jinx has struck again.
The Downpatrick man, who only returned to Down county colours after a three-year gap caused largely by injury, broke an ankle in Sunday’s National League defeat by Monaghan at Scotstown. Deegan was taken to Belfast City Hospital on Sunday night when an X-ray revealed the break.
It’s not yet clear whether the break is the same bone fracture which was one of the player’s serious injuries over the last three years.
Deegan’s catalogue of injuries over the last three years also included shoulder damage which ruled him out of action for some time.
The player, who has been on crutches since Sunday, will travel to City Hospital today for further X-rays.
The Downpatrick man will miss his club’s Down league tie against Loughinisland on Sunday which the Russell Gaelic Union outfit must win to secure their place in division one for next season.
Meanwhile, Gregory’s brother, Conor, will be in action for Kilmacud Crokes in Sunday’s Leinster Club final against Carlow contenders Eire Og.
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TROUBLED Down club Bredagh will hold their AGM on Sunday December 13 in Holy Rosary Hall on the Ravenhill Road, south Belfast.
The club are facing homelessness following their landlords’ (the Poor Sisters of Nazareth) decision to build a nursing home on the Ravenhill Road premises.
The club’s last matches at their home of the past 27 years take place this Sunday.
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TEAM captain Shannon McCartan inspired St Louis Kilkeel to a 6-6 to 3-6 Loch an Iuir Cup semi-final win over La Salle Belfast yesterday.
McCartan grabbed 3-3 while Aidan Flanagan, Colin Phillips, Paul Trainor and Julian Keogh were also impressive for the Down school.
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DUNDALK defender Mick Doohan has become the first player to leave the club since the whole squad was put on the transfer list last week.
Doohan has re-joined Bray Wanderers for £10,000 on a three-year deal.
He joined the Lilywhites from Wanderers in 1993.
