Castleconnor's Martin Cooney has been nominated by the Connacht handball council for the "Special Achievement Award.  The Provincial Council at its monthly meeting last evening in the Connacht G.A.A Offices in Ballyhaunis  announced its 14 Provincial Winners. Cooney who just last week captained his team of 6 to win the Sligo handball 40 x 20 team title with a win over Shane Bruen's side.

Cooney  reached last year's All-Ireland  Silver Masters B singles 60 X 30 final is coming back to his best form following an injury that kept him out of the game for 12 months. Cooney will receive his award at the G.A.A Handball All-Star Awards which will be held in Croke Park on Saturday 9th February next.

CONNACHT AWARD WINNERS

1)            Male Player of the Year

Joe McCann (Mayo)

2)            Female Player of the Year

Pauline Gallagher (Mayo)

3)            Masters Player of the Year

James Coughlan (Roscommon)

4)            Young Male Player of the Year

Martin Mulkerrins (Galway)

5)            Young Female Player of the Year

Amy Corrigan (Mayo)

6)            Youth Male Player of the Year

Niall Joyce (Galway)

7)            Youth Female Player of the Year

Cianna N� Churrain 

8)            Official of the Year

John Kennedy (Roscommon)

9)            Club Person of the Year

Liam O�Ceallaigh (Roscommon)

10)          Coach of the Year

Pierce Lalor (Galway)

11)          Special Achievement Award

Martin Cooney (Sligo)

12)          Hall of Fame

Ray Doherty (Roscommon)

13)          Team of the Year

Williamstown Intermediate Team

14)          Club of the Year

Inis Mor