Joe Canning scoops sportswriters award

Portumna teenage prodigy Joe Canning scooped the prestigious Connacht GAA Sportwriters Personality of the Year Award sponsored by the TF Royal Hotel and Theatre, Castlebar. He was presented with the Michael McDonnell Personality of the Year Award by Lauri Quinn, President of Connacht Council and Pat Jennings of the TF Royal Hotel and Theatre at a gala presentation in Castlebar on Friday night.

The Connacht GAA Sportwriters Personality of the Month Awards have become one of the most prestigious awards in the sporting calendar west of the Shannon and it turned out to be a marvellous night for the Portumna club. Canning picked up monthly awards for February and July with Andrew Smith picking up the award for March. Caltra's Michael Meehan also picked up two monthly awards for January and August, while Padraig Joyce scooped the June award and Alan Burke of Corofin taking the November award.

The monthly winners for 2008 were Michael Meehan, Galway (January); Joe Canning, Portumna (February); Andy Smith, Portumna (March); Tom Cunniffe, Mayo (April); Emlyn Mulligan, Leitrim (May); Padraig Joyce, Galway (June); Joe Canning, Galway (July); August winners Michael Meehan (Galway) and Keith Raymond (Sligo); Aidan O'Shea, Mayo (September); October winners Nigel Dineen (Castlerea St Kevin's) and Barry Regan (Ballaghaderreen); November winners Cora Staunton (Carnacon) and Alan Burke (Corofin) and Lauri Quinn (Sligo) receiving the December award.

Meanwhile Galway football midfielder Barry Cullinane has been named as Connacht GAA Sportswriters Personality of the Month for January for his performances in the FBD League, culminating with his outstanding display of high-fielding against Roscommon in the final.

Galway girls start campaign

It is their first outing since appearing in the All-Ireland senior final last year, but Galway camogie team are back in action on Sunday when they take on Cork at Duggan Park, Ballinasloe in the National camogie league. Last year Galway camogie reached new strides and this year back under the management of former Galway hurling captain Liam Donoghue, they are hoping that the trend will continue onwards and upwards. However it is always difficult to keep momentum going, but Galway have been boosted by the fact that they have several additions to the panel who are available for selection this year. Galway intermediate side will also be an action against Cork in what should prove entertaining encounters.

Galway Awards

Loughrea GAA club were the Galway winners in the Club Development Awards, which were presented at the Connacht Council function on Friday night. Kevin Dooley of Loughrea accepted the award on behalf of the club. Ballinasloe's Willie Ward and Mairtin O'Conghaile of Naomh Anna/Leitir Mor were presented with special GAA 125 volunteer awards by Connacht Council. The awards are in recognition of outstanding voluntary contributions to the GAA at grassroots level in the category of "unsung heroes" of the Association.

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