GAA:Down's Benny Coulter and Galway's Ger Farragher received the Opel GPA Players for the Month awards for May in football and hurling respectively.
Coulter put in a fine performance in the Ulster SFC quarter-final between in their narrow win against Donegal when he captained Down to a hard-fought win. His four points tally was added to with a crucial extra-time goal against Donegal.
Farragher won a second hurling award after he also received the player of the league award. His impressive form carried from the league into the championship He played a pivotal role in Galway’s game against Wexford, finishing top points scorer with 13 points.
"Though it was Benny who finally killed off my own county’s Ulster championship challenge this year, I have to salute his wonderful performance,” said Martin McHugh, GPA chairman football selection committee.
“He was a true leader on the day and kicked some exceptional scores. His finish for the goal in the second period of extra time was proof if it were needed, that he is one of the game’s outstanding forwards."
Donal O’Grady, hurling selection committee chairman, said: "Ger’s consistency of performance during the league marked him apart and he has carried that form into the championship playing a pivotal role once again for Galway during their clash with Wexford.”
"Ger’s contribution is far more than his excellent dead-ball striking, he continues to pull the strings for Galway and I think it’s a measure of his ability that the players have voted for him for a second successive month."
"It’s not often we have the same winner two months in a row and I congratulate Ger Farragher for being selected by his hurling peers once again which is a wonderful achievement. Benny Coulter’s display against Donegal was that of a man on the top of his game,” added Dessie Farrell, GPA chief executive.