Armagh Club All-Stars announced and county will benefit from new awards, says Grugan

Rory Grugan

By John Campbell

Orchard county ace Rory Grugan believes that the inaugural Armagh Club All -Star team concept which took its baptism at a glittering function in the Carrickdale Hotel on Saturday night, will offer an incentive for players to strive towards new levels of excellence.

The All-Star team, while it includes several established county team players, also embraces a number of club representatives who have come to the fore this year and Grogan insists that the gauntlet has now been thrown down to others to follow in their footsteps.

"I think this is a visionary concept because club players are not always afforded the opportunity to win individual accolades," states Grugan, "But the success of the inaugural banquet, the enthusiasm with which the various awards were greeted and the fact that the club championship has now attained higher status all combine to prove that this is a most worthy venture going forward."

The coveted county player of the year award went to midfield powerhouse Stephen Sheridan from the Forkhill club who was outstanding in the engine-room for the greater part of the season.

2017 Armagh Club All-Stars

P Morrison (Harps): C Lambe (Silverbridge), C Vernon (Harps), D O'Neill (Killeavy); S Cusack (Maghery), D McKenna (Harps), J King (Thomas Davis); J Lavery, B Crealey (both Maghery); R McShane (Harps), R O'Neill (Crossmaglen Rangers), R Grugan (Ballymacnab); U Teggart (Killeavy), U Lennon (Harps), C McKeever (Ballyhegan).