Coleman takes writers award

Coleman guided Derry to the All-Ireland semi-finals

Derry football manager Eamon Coleman picked up the Bass Ulster GAA Writers personality of the year award in Bundoran on Friday evening.

It's the second time that the colourful Coleman has earned the honour.

He also won in 1993 - the year he managed Derry to the All-Ireland title.

Coleman's Derry side recovered from their Ulster Championship defeat by Tyrone to defeat the Red Hand County in the All-Ireland Qualifiers.

Derry then narrowly lost to eventual All-Ireland Champions Galway in the semi-finals at Croke Park.

Tyrone star Cormac McAnallen was named footballer of the year.

McAnallen helped his county to the Ulster Senior Championship and All-Ireland U21 titles.

Cormac McAnallen: Football winner

He then played a major part in Ireland's International Rules series win in Australia.

McAnallen edged out his county teammate Stephen O'Neill and Derry defender Gareth Doherty for the football award.

Derry did win the hurling award with goalkeeper Kieran Stevenson taking the honour.

Stevenson topped the hurling vote ahead of his county teammates Geoffrey McGonigle and Gregory Biggs.

Antrim's Jane Adams took the camogie award while the ladies football gong went to Tyrone's Lynette Hughes.

Ulster Colleges PRO John Rath earned the communications award while the services to the GAA honour went to long-serving Ballerin clubman Willie Harkin.

Harkin has been treasurer of the North Derry GAA board for the past 49 years.

Peter McSherry, from the Saval club in Down, won the handball award while Antrim whistler Jim McLean was named Ulster referee of the year.

Belfast outfit St Gall's took the club of the year award.

The full list of winners were:

Personality: Eamon Coleman
Footballer: Cormac McAnallen
Hurler: Kieran Stevenson
Camogie: Jane Adams
Club: St Gall's
Handball: Peter McSherry
Communications: John Rath
Ladies Football: Lynette Hughes
Referee: Jim McLean
Services: Willie Harkin