DUBLIN AND KERRY star forwards Con O’Callaghan and Sean O’Shea have claimed the PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Month awards for August and September respectively.
The individual accolade caps an incredible week for 23-year-old O’Callaghan, who was instrumental through Jim Gavin’s side’s Drive for Five mission, which they completed with a six-point win over the Kingdom at Croke Park on Saturday night.
But the Cuala man’s blistering form in their All-Ireland semi-final win over Mayo last month is what earned him the recognition, as his 37th and 46th-minute goals powered Dublin into another All-Ireland final.
O’Callaghan led a clinical attacking performance as the champions put the Westerners to the sword and brought the curtain down on their 2019.
A dramatic 1-16 a-piece draw followed in the showpiece with Kerry on 1 September, before a replay saw Dublin complete the historic five-in-a-row.
And it’s Kerry youngster O’Shea who scoops the Player of the Month award for September — his second of the year — after inspirational performances on both occasions.
The Kenmare man accounted for a 15-point individual tally across both days as he brought the curtain down on his huge season.
The award winners were announced at PwC’s offices in Dublin today, where Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, John Horan, and GPA Chief Executive, Paul Flynn, joined Feargal O’Rourke, PwC Managing Partner in making today’s presentation to O’Callaghan and O’Shea.
Former Ireland performance analyst and current coaching wizard of OZ Eoin Toolan joins Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey to predict Ireland’s World Cup, break down every pool, and call the overall winners.
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I just don’t get this. All the South Africans were back playing for their clubs the week after playing for their country. Cian Prendergast, the Connacht captain mind, didn’t feature at all. Conor Murray the same in Munster. Just wondering if our Irish panel of 45 players are a bit precious ?
@Pat Cooney: Ireland played a 4 games. South Africa only had to play 3. So a lot of there players had all of last week off and they can also afford to do as they have a lot better strength in depth than us having used something like 52 players in total in the last couple of months. Where as Bealham and Hansen started in every game this Autumn Int.
@Harry O’ Callaghan: on the other hand though, South Africa were also coming off the Rugby Championship.
@teuO6nLS: No, they used a lot of new players throughout that tournament and it was spaced out. We haven’t used anywhere close to 52 players this year and last year. They have the luxury of resting their big game players like Etzebeth, Kolisi, Pollard, Kriel, Kolbe, Le Roux because they have tow or three players practically as good in that position. We don’t unfortunately. We rely on keeping momentum with a core player group of around 25. Prendergast should definitely play for Connacht as he’s only played 15th a of rugby in the last 4 weeks. Bealham, Aki and Hansen definitely deserve a rest especially Bealham as his mental fatigue was obviously showing when he knocked the ball on 3 times and gave away a penalty in the opening quarter against Australia.
@Pat Cooney: They weren’t released back to their clubs. At least they’ve got plenty of rugby under their belts. Izzy is about to turn 25, has the grand total of 11 starts for Ulster and was also sat on his hole.
Makes sense, i think the IRFU would probably want to rest other players like Doris, VDF and Porter
@Owen ODonoghue: it’ll be left up to the clubs. Play them now but rest them over Xmas or rest them now but play them over Xmas. It’s been like that the past two years that they have to get two consecutive weeks off