Maryland magicman is gaa player of the month

WESTMEATH and Maryland star Kieran Martin has been named the GAA/GPA Opel Player of the Month for June in football.

Westmeath are the surprise package of the Championship, and Martin is undoubtedly the key player in what has already been a successful campaign for the Lake County, bagging an impressive 1-2 from play in his side’s 1-21 to 0-15 triumph over Wexford.

But it was his match-winning performance against rivals Meath that grabbed all of the headlines, scoring 2-3 from play as Westmeath spectacularly overturned an eight-point deficit at half-time to claim their first ever Championship victory over their neighbours.

Speaking at the awards, Martin said; “It is a great honour and I’m thrilled to have been named the GAA/GPA Opel Player of the Month for June. It was a fantastic month for Westmeath football, and I’m extremely proud to have contributed to it. We’ve made huge progress this year which we’re all hoping will continue into the future.”

Following their Leinster final defeat to Dublin, Westmeath's next Championship outing is a clash with Fermanagh in Round 4A of the All-Ireland Qualifiers. That game will take place in Kingspan Breffni Park, Cavan on Saturday, July 25 (throw-in: 5pm), with the winners advancing to the All-Ireland quarter-finals.

Meanwhile, John ‘Bubbles’ O’Dwyer of Tipperary has been chosen for the hurling player of the month award for June.