Paddy Andrews of Dublin and Kilkenny’s TJ Reid have been named as the Opel GAA/GPA Players of the Month for September in football and hurling respectively.
Nominated by an independent panel of experts and chosen by the inter-county playing body, the players were today presented with their award at a reception in Croke Park.
With a majestic showing at full forward Paddy Andrews’s standout performance in Dublin’s Semi-Final replay against Mayo saw him earn the Opel Player of the Month award for September. The St Brigid’s clubman gave a man-of-the-match display, that yielded an impressive five points from play and saw the Dubs progress to their 38th All-Ireland Final, on a score line of 3-15 to 1-14. The towering attacker continued his form against Kerry in that final, scoring an important point before the break, as Jim Gavin’s side ran out three points to claim their third All-Ireland title in the space of five seasons 0-12 to 0-9.
Dublin's Paddy Andrews celebrates with the Sam Maguire trophy. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Ryan Byrne
Kilkenny’s tour-de-force cemented his status as an Opel Hurler of the Year nominee, with a clinical performance in the wing forward position. The 27-year-old Ballyhale Shamrocks ace collected his seventh All-Ireland medal after scoring an impressive 1-7 as the Cats recorded a 1-22 to 1-18 win over Galway in the final. Reid’s outstanding display proved decisive in guiding his side to victory on the day, voted by his peers as the Opel Player of the Month for September after spearheading Kilkenny’s attack through their 36th All-Ireland winning campaign.
Kilkenny's TJ Reid celebrates. Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Commenting on the announcement, GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail said: “Well done to both Paddy and TJ on their awards which come on the back of a string of excellent performances from both. Not for the first time in recent seasons TJ was a driver behind another successful Kilkenny campaign, leading by example as a constant menace to opposition defences.
“Paddy was hugely instrumental in helping Dublin deliver a third All-Ireland football title in five years. His classy attacking displays bolstered the Dublin surge and both are worthy winners, as chosen by their peers. A special word of thanks to both the GPA and Opel for the support of these awards which acknowledge excellence on a month by month basis over the course of the championship.”
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