Writers’ Award For Tyrone Captain

Wednesday 10.10.2018

County

A good start is half the battle and Tyrone ladies’ football captain Neamh Woods demonstrated that, not once but twice, in the All-Ireland Intermediate Football Championship final at Croke Park last month. Captain Fantastic Woods fired home goals within minutes of the start of both halves as Tyrone stormed past Meath by 6-8 to 1-14.

Drumragh star Woods was a rock in midfield as she marshalled her troops winning the ‘Player of Match’ award into the bargain. Any wonder that she featured so prominently when it came to selecting the Quinn Building Products UGAAWA Merit Award winner for September. Certainly, Peter Harte, who worked tirelessly and tucked away a penalty for Tyrone in the Sam Maguire Cup final, and Down camogie player Niamh Mallon also got recommendations but Woods was a clear winner.

“That’s amazing news,” exclaimed PE teacher Neamh when told of her award. “After losing in the final to Tipperary last year we were determined not to lose again and the result in Cork Park was delightful. The experience of last year’s final played a big part in our success this time. The team has changed very little in the last 12 months.”

“Now we can look forward to the senior championship in 2019 and we will be coming up against the likes of Armagh, Cavan and Donegal – Armagh and Cavan in the National League Division Two, as well.”

She added: “This victory was a long time coming but we can now celebrate it and move up to the top championship level.”

Those two killer goals highlighted Neamh Woods’ performance in Croke Park but her leadership was also a major factor in her winning the ‘Player of the Match’ and the Merit Award for September. She led by example throughout a game that Tyrone dominated, apart from a short period in the second quarter.

A PE instructor in St Ciarán’s College, Ballygawley, Neamh (29) has other sporting activities to look forward to. She is also an international netball player and will be tuning up for the World Championships next year. For now, however, success in the All-Ireland IFC final against Meath is top of the list.

The Tyrone captain received her Merit Award at a reception in Quinn’s Corner on October 8 from Quinn Building Products Sales & Marketing Director Seamus McMahon. As part of the award Neamh receives an engraved Belleek Living Vase, hand-crafted jewellery from Carlingford Design House and training gear from O’Neill’s International Sportswear.

Neamh will also receive two complimentary tickets to the next Ulster GAA Writers’ Association annual presentation function.