BALLYHOLLAND manager Stephen Poacher believes the recently voted Down Division One and Senior Club Championship Player of the Year Robbie White has all the attributes needed to make it onto the Down panel.
White was a worthy winner at the O’Reilly Transport Club Down awards, which took place in the Canal Court Hotel last Friday. Last month, every club was asked to nominate a goalkeeper, defender, midfielder and a forward and, then, a number of sports journalists from the Newry Democrat, Newry Reporter and Mourne Observer whittled the nominees down to 15 players before casting their votes for the Players of the Year.
White won the Division One and Senior Championship Player of the Year, with Loughinisland’s Ulster Intermediate Club Championship-winning Dan Gordon picking up the Division Two and Intermediate Championship award, while Glasdrumman’s lively forward Connaire Harrison won the Junior accolade.
White played a key role in Ballyholland’s season, with the small club outside of Newry finishing third in Division One of the All-County League, as well as reaching the Senior Club Championship semi-final for the first time in 26 years.
Having been a bright prospect at underage level, White struggled to reach his potential due to a knee injury and a broken arm as well as studying in England. But this year, the 25-year-old White remained relatively injury free and the club have reaped the rewards.
“He really has only had one full season with us and that was this year and I don’t think it is any coincidence that we have had a good year - the club was propelled to third place in Down All-County League and reached the semi-final of the Down Senior Club Championship," said Poacher.
“People would say to me that Robbie was one of the best centre half-forwards in the county at underage level, but we played him at centre half-back last year as I felt the game was going like that, so your number six is the new number 11 as such. So Robbie is a tremendous ball carrier, great playmaker and possesses a very good footballing brain and he has been a pivotal figure for us.
“Throughout the course of the season, Robbie has been superb and, when you are looking consistency, there is no better man. We made him captain this year, which was a massive thing and he really matured with that responsibility. So to finish is season off with such an individual award is fully deserved.”
Poacher stopped short of calling for White to receive a call-up to the Down senior football, squad but believes the Ballyholland playmaker can be an asset for the Mourne men. Ballyholland midfielder Joe Murphy was brought into the squad after an impressive season for the Harps.
“I’m in no position to tell Éamonn Burns who to pick and, as a club manager, I probably shouldn’t want any of my players playing county football,” said Poacher.
“But at the same time, I am proud as a coach and manager that he is representing the county and I am delighted for Joe, so if Robbie gets the call, I will also be happy for him. There is no doubt he is deserving of a call-up as he has the qualities to play inter-county football.”
Connaire Harrison was the only player from a junior club to make the team while, not surprisingly, senior club champions Kilcoo make the backbone of the team, with goalkeeper Stephen Kane, defenders Aaron and Daryl Branagan, midfielder Paul Greenan and athletic forwards Jerome and Ryan Johnston all making the cut.
Loughinisland’s Dan Gordon and Rory Mason, as well as An Ríocht’s Conor Doyle, are the only players from the Intermediate League to be represented, while Clonduff’s tenacious defender Darren O’Hagan picked up the Spirit of Breen award, which is effectively the Down Senior Player of the Year.
