Watson picks up award for magical All-Ireland showing

Will the scoring spree of Liam Watson in the All-Ireland Club Hurling Championship ever be broken or even repeated?
By The Newsroom
Published 18th Apr 2012, 11:29 BST

His 0-16 in the semi-final looked likely to stand the test of time but the man, himself, was equal to the task and hammered home 3-7 in the final against Coolderry to make certain that the trophy returned to Loughgiel Shamrocks after a 29-year absence.

That stunning show on St Patrick’s Day was, undoubtedly, the highlight of March 2012 and it earns him the Quinn-direct/Ulster GAA Writers’ Monthly Merit Award.

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“Maybe my first goal was a little lucky but, I doubt, if anyone could have saved the other two,” enthused Liam when told of his award.

“I hit them hard and they flew in. Obviously, we were delighted with the team performance and we are still celebrating. This award is lovely, too.”

Watson is also delighted that he decided to pack in soccer and concentrate on hurling this year.

“You may get a few pounds for playing soccer but that, in no way, compares with winning an All-Ireland medal.”

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It is doubtful if there is a hurler anywhere who hits a sliothar as hard as the livewire Shamrocks’ attacker who, at full-forward, gave the Coolderry defence a roasting at Croke Park. After his heroics in the semi-final it was on the cards that he would get special attention in the decider but he shook that off.

Watson’s super show, both from a scoring aspect and from general play, is certainly one for the record books and one that will be difficult to match. It definitely graced the biggest day in the club hurling championship on the Croke Park sod.

Making the presentation to Liam Watson, on April 10, at a function in Quinn’s Corner was Pauric McGovern, a Commercial new business & renewals Team Leader with Quinn-direct.

The winner received an engraved Belleek Living vase, training gear from O’Neill’s International Sports, specially-designed silver cuff links from Omeath jeweller Garrett Mallon and an UGAAWA Sports Voucher.

He will also receive two rickets and overnight accommodation for the UGAAWA Silver Jubilee Banquet, at the Great Northern Hotel, Bundoran on Friday, November 16.