In what may turn out to be a preview to the player of the year awards, Kerry's Seamus Moynihan and Kilkenny's DJ Carey yesterday accepted the Eircell player All Star awards for September. Carey answered those who questioned his All-Ireland hurling final temperament with a resounding individual display against Offaly, while Moynihan seemed to redefine the accepted definition for excellence as Kerry progressed through the latter stages of the All-Ireland football series.
His performances at full back, a position he was forced to fill after regular defender Barry O'Shea suffered a long-term injury, was one of the highlights of what was a memorable championship.
Carey went into this years All-Ireland final under tremendous pressure to produce a telling hour and left his unique mark on the game with two brilliantly taken goals.
The president of the GAA, Sean McCague, presented the awards at a ceremony in the Burlington Hotel.
As well as being at the peak of their games, both men are also noted as articulate and willing spokespersons for their sport. Carey is the first player to win this Eircell award twice.
Carey and Moynihan were also named as the Gaelic Players Association's players of the month, and the pair are regarded as main contenders for the fledgling organisation's annual awards. The ceremony for that announcement will take place after the GPA's a.g.m. in Killarney on November 4th.
