Dermot McNicholl
Encyclopedia
Dermot "Spoofer" McNicholl , from Glenullin
, is an All Star
winning former Irish
Gaelic football
er who played for Derry
in the 1980s and 1990s. He was part of Derry's 1993 All-Ireland Championship
winning side, also winning Ulster Senior Football Championship
s in 1987 and 1993. He usually played in the half-forward line and was regarded as one of the best footballers in Ireland at a time. McNicholl played club football with John Mitchel's GAC Glenullin
, where he won a Derry Senior Football Championship in 1985.
Some of McNicholl's key attributes included his power, determination, balance, bravery and explosive pace. He was described by former Derry team mate Fergal McCusker
as "impossible to mark". He managed
home-club Glenullin in 2009.
s (1980, 1981 and 1983) and played in All-Ireland Minor Championship
finals in those years, winning in 1983, where he was captain
. He also won three Ulster Under-21 Football Championship
s in 1983, 1985 and 1986 and was runner-up in 1983 and 1985 in the All-Ireland Under-21 Championship
s.
McNicholl made his Senior debut against Louth
in the National League in October, 1983, while still a Minor. He won an All Star
for his performances in the 1984 Championship, while still at school and is the youngest ever recipient of an All Star.
He won an Ulster Senior Championship
in 1987, but was badly affected by a hamstring injury during the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Meath
. He missed the 1989 and 1990 campaigns due to being in Australia
playing professional Australian rules football. He was part of Derry's National League
winning team in 1992. McNicholl added a second Ulster Senior Championship medal in 1993, before going on to win the 1993 All-Ireland Championship
after a semi-final victory over Dublin
and final defeat of Cork. Injury prevented him from starting these two games, but came on as a substitute in both.
He won a further two National League medals in 1995 and 1996. He was plagued by injury in the latter years of his career, often preventing him from starting matches and was forced to retire soon after.
to their 1985 Derry Senior Football Championship success. Prior to this he had won two Derry Minor Football Championship
s with the club in 1981 and 1982. In 2007 he was awarded a Northern Bank Ulster Minor Club Football All Star, being recognised as one of the best players to ever have competed in the Ulster Minor Club Football Championship
, in the competition's 25th year. He also won U-14 and U-16 Derry Championships with Glenullin.
McNicholl was in the United States
for a short period the early 1990s and while there played with St Columbkille's GFC, Boston
. He along with fellow Derry man Éamonn Burns helped the club win a Boston Senior Football Championship
in 1991.
. He played in five consecutive MacRory Cup
finals (1980–1984), winning four of them. He was only in third year when playing on his first MacRory team. In 1980 and 1984 he was runner-up in the Hogan Cup
to Carmelite College, Moate and St. Jarlath's College, Tuam
respectively. At university he won three Sigerson Cup
and two Ryan Cup medals with UUJ. McNicholl was once asked by Adrian McGuckin what did he learn at school, McNicholl replied with 'I learned how to kick a ball.'
in three International Rules Series
., firstly in 1984
. He was so impressive during the 1987 series
that Australian rules football
side St Kilda drafted him in 1988
when he was 22. After a stint with Victoria Football Association
(VFA) club Prahran
in 1989, McNicholl tore his groin during St Kilda's pre-season in 1990. The injury forced him to miss the first half of the season, after which he recovered and made his senior debut. He played three senior games before returning home because his university refused to let him defer his coursework any longer.
In 2008 Australian Football League
agent Ricky Nixon
recruited McNicholl as one of four Irish scouts to look for talented young Gaelic football players for possible recruitment to AFL teams. The scouting of young Irish talent by the AFL has caused much controversy and discussion in Ireland, but McNicholl has defended his relationship with former St. Kilda team mate Nixon by describing it as "a great opportunity for a young fella".
Minors for two years and during that time they won the Derry Minor Championship
twice (1998 and 1999) and also won the 1998 Ulster Minor Club Championship
(and finished runners up in 1999). At Senior level he has also been involved with Dungiven
and Tyrone
club Ardboe
. After a three year break from club management, McNicholl was confirmed as new Glenullin manager at the club's Annual General Meeting on 4 January 2009. He guided the club to victory over reigning champions Ballinderry in the quarter-finals of the 2009
Derry Senior Football Championship. They were however defeated by Dungiven
in the semi-final stage. It was announced in December 2009 that he would not be seeking another term with the club.
Note: The above lists may be incomplete. Please add any other honours you know of.
Glenullin
Glenullin is a rural area centred on a valley between the villages of Garvagh, Swatragh and Dungiven, and lies in the borough of Coleraine, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The nearest city is Derry which is 27 miles away. 'The Glen' as it is often known, is not an officially recognised...
, is an All Star
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
winning former Irish
Ireland
Ireland is an island to the northwest of continental Europe. It is the third-largest island in Europe and the twentieth-largest island on Earth...
Gaelic football
Gaelic football
Gaelic football , commonly referred to as "football" or "Gaelic", or "Gah" is a form of football played mainly in Ireland...
er who played for Derry
Derry GAA
The Derry County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Derry GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland. It is responsible for Gaelic games in the GAA county of Derry, which covers virtually the same territory as the former administrative county of Londonderry...
in the 1980s and 1990s. He was part of Derry's 1993 All-Ireland Championship
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 1993
-All-Ireland Football Final:-Top championship scorer:...
winning side, also winning Ulster Senior Football Championship
Ulster Senior Football Championship
For information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
s in 1987 and 1993. He usually played in the half-forward line and was regarded as one of the best footballers in Ireland at a time. McNicholl played club football with John Mitchel's GAC Glenullin
Glenullin GAC
John Mitchel's GAC Glenullin is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Glenullin, County Londonderry - a valley near Garvagh, partly coinciding with the parish of Errigal. The club is a member of the Derry GAA. They currently cater for both Gaelic football and Camogie...
, where he won a Derry Senior Football Championship in 1985.
Some of McNicholl's key attributes included his power, determination, balance, bravery and explosive pace. He was described by former Derry team mate Fergal McCusker
Fergal McCusker
Fergal P. McCusker is a Gaelic footballer who played with Derry in the 1980s, 1990s and early 2000s. He played club football with Watty Graham's GAC Glen until retiring in 2007....
as "impossible to mark". He managed
Manager (Gaelic games)
In Gaelic games, a manager or coach is an individual involved in the direction and instruction of the on-field operations of a team. Managing, or coaching, entails the application of sport tactics and strategies during the game itself, and usually entails substitution of players and other such...
home-club Glenullin in 2009.
Inter-county career
McNicholl was known as one of Derry's best ever underage players. He played Minor football for Derry for four years from 1980 (when he was 14) to 1983. He won three Ulster Minor Football ChampionshipUlster Minor Football Championship
The Ulster Minor Football Championship is the Minor "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Ulster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Ulster Council. The trophy for the winning side is The Liam Murray Cup. The competition began in 1930, with...
s (1980, 1981 and 1983) and played in All-Ireland Minor Championship
All-Ireland Minor Football Championship
The All-Ireland Minor Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for under-18 competitors of the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
finals in those years, winning in 1983, where he was captain
Captain (sports)
In team sports, a captain is a title given to a member of the team. The title is frequently honorary, but in some cases the captain may have significant responsibility for strategy and teamwork while the game is in progress on the field...
. He also won three Ulster Under-21 Football Championship
Ulster Under-21 Football Championship
For the Senior equivalent see: Ulster Senior Football ChampionshipThe Ulster Under-21 Football Championship known for sponsorship reasons as the Cadbury Ulster Under-21 Football Championship is a Gaelic football tournament for players under the age of 21, contested by the nine counties of Ulster in...
s in 1983, 1985 and 1986 and was runner-up in 1983 and 1985 in the All-Ireland Under-21 Championship
All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship
The All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and are played during the summer months...
s.
McNicholl made his Senior debut against Louth
Louth GAA
The Louth County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Louth GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Louth. The county board is also responsible for the Louth inter-county teams....
in the National League in October, 1983, while still a Minor. He won an All Star
GAA All Stars Awards
The All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
for his performances in the 1984 Championship, while still at school and is the youngest ever recipient of an All Star.
He won an Ulster Senior Championship
Ulster Senior Football Championship
For information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
in 1987, but was badly affected by a hamstring injury during the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Meath
Meath GAA
The Meath County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Meath GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Meath, as well as for Meath inter-county teams.- Pre-1960s :...
. He missed the 1989 and 1990 campaigns due to being in Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
playing professional Australian rules football. He was part of Derry's National League
National Football League (Ireland)
The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
winning team in 1992. McNicholl added a second Ulster Senior Championship medal in 1993, before going on to win the 1993 All-Ireland Championship
All-Ireland Senior Football Championship 1993
-All-Ireland Football Final:-Top championship scorer:...
after a semi-final victory over Dublin
Dublin GAA
Dublin County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association , or Dublin GAA, is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Dublin. The county board is also responsible for the Dublin inter-county teams...
and final defeat of Cork. Injury prevented him from starting these two games, but came on as a substitute in both.
He won a further two National League medals in 1995 and 1996. He was plagued by injury in the latter years of his career, often preventing him from starting matches and was forced to retire soon after.
Club career
Despite being only 19 at the time, McNicholl captained GlenullinGlenullin GAC
John Mitchel's GAC Glenullin is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Glenullin, County Londonderry - a valley near Garvagh, partly coinciding with the parish of Errigal. The club is a member of the Derry GAA. They currently cater for both Gaelic football and Camogie...
to their 1985 Derry Senior Football Championship success. Prior to this he had won two Derry Minor Football Championship
Derry Minor Football Championship
The Derry Minor Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football club competition between the top Derry Minor clubs. The winners of the Derry Championship qualify to represent their county in the Ulster Minor Club Football Championship...
s with the club in 1981 and 1982. In 2007 he was awarded a Northern Bank Ulster Minor Club Football All Star, being recognised as one of the best players to ever have competed in the Ulster Minor Club Football Championship
Ulster Minor Club Football Championship
The Ulster Minor Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament played between the hundreds of minor football clubs in Ulster. There are nine county championships between the nine counties of Ulster. The nine winners go on to play each other in the Ulster Club Championship in a...
, in the competition's 25th year. He also won U-14 and U-16 Derry Championships with Glenullin.
McNicholl was in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
for a short period the early 1990s and while there played with St Columbkille's GFC, Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
. He along with fellow Derry man Éamonn Burns helped the club win a Boston Senior Football Championship
Boston Senior Football Championship
The Boston Senior Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football competition, played in the Boston region of America. The competition is organised by the Northeast Division Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The games are played at the Irish Cultural Center, in Canton, Massachusetts. The...
in 1991.
School/college career
McNicholl attended school at St. Patrick's College, MagheraSt. Patrick's College, Maghera
St. Patrick's College in Maghera, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland, is a specialist secondary school for science....
. He played in five consecutive MacRory Cup
MacRory Cup
The MacRory Cup is an inter-college Gaelic football tournament in Ulster. It is staged every year with the stipulation that players must be under eighteen-and-a-half at the start of the tournament...
finals (1980–1984), winning four of them. He was only in third year when playing on his first MacRory team. In 1980 and 1984 he was runner-up in the Hogan Cup
Hogan Cup
The Hogan Cup 1946-48 & 1957-) is the cup presented to the winners of the colleges All-Ireland "A" senior football championship, the top level Gaelic football championship for secondary schools in Ireland. The competition itself is regularly referred to by reference to the trophy's name.St...
to Carmelite College, Moate and St. Jarlath's College, Tuam
St. Jarlath's College
St. Jarlath's College is a Roman Catholic secondary school for boys in Tuam, County Galway, Ireland. It is an amalgamation of the former St. Jarlath's College and St...
respectively. At university he won three Sigerson Cup
Sigerson Cup
The Sigerson Cup is the top division of Higher Education Gaelic football in Ireland, It is administrated by the Higher Education committee which is part of the Gaelic Athletic Association...
and two Ryan Cup medals with UUJ. McNicholl was once asked by Adrian McGuckin what did he learn at school, McNicholl replied with 'I learned how to kick a ball.'
International and Australian rules career
Dermot McNicholl represented IrelandIreland international rules football team
The Ireland International rules football team is the representative team for Ireland in international rules football, a compromise between Gaelic football and Australian rules football...
in three International Rules Series
International Rules Series
The International Rules Series is a senior men's International rules football competition between the Australia international rules football team and the Ireland international rules football team...
., firstly in 1984
1984 International Rules series
The 1984 International Rules series took place in Ireland and consisted of three Test matches between the Australian and Irish international rules football teams....
. He was so impressive during the 1987 series
1987 International Rules series
The 1987 International Rules series took place in Ireland and consisted of three Test matches between the Australian and Irish international rules football teams.-Summary:1st Test Venue: Croke Park, Dublin Crowd: 15,5322nd Test...
that Australian rules football
Australian rules football
Australian rules football, officially known as Australian football, also called football, Aussie rules or footy is a sport played between two teams of 22 players on either...
side St Kilda drafted him in 1988
1988 VFL Draft
The 1988 VFL National Draft was the third annual National draft held by the Victorian Football League . It consisted of a pre-season draft and a national draft....
when he was 22. After a stint with Victoria Football Association
Victorian Football League
The Victorian Football League which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association , taking its new name as from the 1996 season, is the premier Australian rules football league in Victoria The Victorian Football League (VFL) which evolved from the former Victorian Football Association...
(VFA) club Prahran
Prahran Football Club
Prahran Football Club, nicknamed The Two Blues, is an Australian rules football club based at Toorak Park in Orrong Road between High Street and Malvern Road, Armadale, in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. Since 2007, the club has competed in D1 Section of the Victorian Amateur Football Association...
in 1989, McNicholl tore his groin during St Kilda's pre-season in 1990. The injury forced him to miss the first half of the season, after which he recovered and made his senior debut. He played three senior games before returning home because his university refused to let him defer his coursework any longer.
In 2008 Australian Football League
Australian Football League
The Australian Football League is both the governing body and the major professional competition in the sport of Australian rules football...
agent Ricky Nixon
Ricky Nixon
Ricky L. Nixon is a former Australian rules footballer in the VFL/AFL and now a high profile Australian sports agent. He is currently serving a two year suspension following an investigation by the AFL Players Association Accreditation Board.-Football career:Recruited from Golden Square in the...
recruited McNicholl as one of four Irish scouts to look for talented young Gaelic football players for possible recruitment to AFL teams. The scouting of young Irish talent by the AFL has caused much controversy and discussion in Ireland, but McNicholl has defended his relationship with former St. Kilda team mate Nixon by describing it as "a great opportunity for a young fella".
Management career
McNicholl teaches at St. Pat's Maghera and has managed many St. Pat's teams at different age levels since 1994, including helping to lead them to four MacRory and three Hogan Cups successes. He was involved with SlaughtneilSlaughtneil GAC
Robert Emmet's GAC Slaughtneil is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Slaughtneil, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. The club is a member of the Derry GAA and currently cater for Gaelic football, Hurling and Camogie...
Minors for two years and during that time they won the Derry Minor Championship
Derry Minor Football Championship
The Derry Minor Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football club competition between the top Derry Minor clubs. The winners of the Derry Championship qualify to represent their county in the Ulster Minor Club Football Championship...
twice (1998 and 1999) and also won the 1998 Ulster Minor Club Championship
Ulster Minor Club Football Championship
The Ulster Minor Club Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football tournament played between the hundreds of minor football clubs in Ulster. There are nine county championships between the nine counties of Ulster. The nine winners go on to play each other in the Ulster Club Championship in a...
(and finished runners up in 1999). At Senior level he has also been involved with Dungiven
Dungiven GAC
St. Canice's GAC Dungiven is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Dungiven, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. They currently cater for Gaelic football and Ladies' Gaelic football. The hurling club in the town is Kevin Lynch's....
and Tyrone
Tyrone GAA
The Tyrone County Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association or Tyrone GAA is one of the 32 county boards of the GAA in Ireland, and is responsible for Gaelic games in County Tyrone. The county board is also responsible for the Tyrone inter-county teams....
club Ardboe
Ardboe O'Donovan Rossa GAC
Ard Bó Uí Dhonnabhain Rossa Cuman Lúthchleas Gael are a club based in east County Tyrone, Northern Ireland, close to the shores of Lough Neagh. It and Moortown St. Malachy's both draw players from the same parish, Ardboe...
. After a three year break from club management, McNicholl was confirmed as new Glenullin manager at the club's Annual General Meeting on 4 January 2009. He guided the club to victory over reigning champions Ballinderry in the quarter-finals of the 2009
Derry Senior Football Championship 2009
-Round 2:The draw for the second round took place on 5 May 2009.-----Round 3:The draw for the third round took place after the last Round 2 game .-Quarter-finals:...
Derry Senior Football Championship. They were however defeated by Dungiven
Dungiven GAC
St. Canice's GAC Dungiven is a Gaelic Athletic Association club based in Dungiven, County Londonderry, Northern Ireland. They currently cater for Gaelic football and Ladies' Gaelic football. The hurling club in the town is Kevin Lynch's....
in the semi-final stage. It was announced in December 2009 that he would not be seeking another term with the club.
County
- All-Ireland Senior Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Senior Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, the premier competition in Gaelic football, is a series of games organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and played during the summer and early autumn...
- Winner (1): 1993 - National Football LeagueNational Football League (Ireland)The National Football League is a Gaelic football tournament held annually between the county teams of Ireland, under the auspices of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The prize for the winning team is the New Ireland Cup, presented by the New Ireland Assurance Company...
- Winner (3): 1992, 1995, 1996 - Ulster Senior Football ChampionshipUlster Senior Football ChampionshipFor information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
- Winner (2): 1987, 1993 - Ulster Senior Football ChampionshipUlster Senior Football ChampionshipFor information on this years competition, see Ulster Senior Football Championship 2011-2010 Draw:-2009 Draw:-2008 Draw:-Top winners:* All-Ireland winning years in bold.-Roll of honour:Notes:* 1907 No final result in records...
- Runner up: 1985, 1992 - Dr. McKenna Cup - Winner (1): 1993
- All-Ireland Under-21 Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Under-21 Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Under-21 Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for players aged between 18 and 21 in the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Gaelic Athletic Association and are played during the summer months...
- Runner up: 1983, 1985 - Ulster Under-21 Football ChampionshipUlster Under-21 Football ChampionshipFor the Senior equivalent see: Ulster Senior Football ChampionshipThe Ulster Under-21 Football Championship known for sponsorship reasons as the Cadbury Ulster Under-21 Football Championship is a Gaelic football tournament for players under the age of 21, contested by the nine counties of Ulster in...
- Winner (3): 1983, 1985, 1986 - All-Ireland Minor Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Minor Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Minor Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for under-18 competitors of the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
- Winner (1): 1983 - All-Ireland Minor Football ChampionshipAll-Ireland Minor Football ChampionshipThe All-Ireland Minor Football Championship is the premier "knockout" competition for under-18 competitors of the game of Gaelic football played in Ireland...
- Runner up: 1980, 1981 - Ulster Minor Football ChampionshipUlster Minor Football ChampionshipThe Ulster Minor Football Championship is the Minor "knockout" competition in the game of Gaelic football played in the province of Ulster in Ireland. The series of games are organised by the Ulster Council. The trophy for the winning side is The Liam Murray Cup. The competition began in 1930, with...
- Winner (3): 1980, 1981, 1983
Club
- Derry Senior Football Championship - Winner (1): 1985
- Boston Senior Football ChampionshipBoston Senior Football ChampionshipThe Boston Senior Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football competition, played in the Boston region of America. The competition is organised by the Northeast Division Board of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The games are played at the Irish Cultural Center, in Canton, Massachusetts. The...
- Winner (1): 1991 - Derry Minor Football ChampionshipDerry Minor Football ChampionshipThe Derry Minor Football Championship is an annual Gaelic football club competition between the top Derry Minor clubs. The winners of the Derry Championship qualify to represent their county in the Ulster Minor Club Football Championship...
- Winner (2): 1981, 1982 - Numerous underage awards including U-14 and U-16 Derry Championships
College
- Sigerson CupSigerson CupThe Sigerson Cup is the top division of Higher Education Gaelic football in Ireland, It is administrated by the Higher Education committee which is part of the Gaelic Athletic Association...
- Winner (3): 1986, 1987, 1991 - Ryan Cup - Winner (2): Years?
- Hogan CupHogan CupThe Hogan Cup 1946-48 & 1957-) is the cup presented to the winners of the colleges All-Ireland "A" senior football championship, the top level Gaelic football championship for secondary schools in Ireland. The competition itself is regularly referred to by reference to the trophy's name.St...
- Runner-up: 1980, 1984 - MacRory CupMacRory CupThe MacRory Cup is an inter-college Gaelic football tournament in Ulster. It is staged every year with the stipulation that players must be under eighteen-and-a-half at the start of the tournament...
- Winner (4): 1980, 1982, 1983, 1984 - MacRory CupMacRory CupThe MacRory Cup is an inter-college Gaelic football tournament in Ulster. It is staged every year with the stipulation that players must be under eighteen-and-a-half at the start of the tournament...
- Runner-up: 1981
Individual
- All StarGAA All Stars AwardsThe All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
- Winner (1): 1984 - All StarGAA All Stars AwardsThe All Stars Awards, currently sponsored by Vodafone, are given annually since 1971 by the Gaelic Athletic Association to the best player in each of the fifteen positions in Gaelic football and Hurling in Ireland. Additionally, one player in each code is selected as the player of the year...
- Nominated (runner up): ? - Captain Derry Minor Ulster and All-Ireland winning side: 1983
- Captain Glenullin Derry Championship winning side: 1985
- Represented Ireland in three International Rules series: 1984, other years?
Note: The above lists may be incomplete. Please add any other honours you know of.