Kelly named Square’s Player of the Year

Square United held their 2016/17 season awards evening at Hamills in Ardee on Friday night, on an evening which saw striker Chris Kelly named the club’s Player of the Year

At the end of a season in which United battled against the drop from the NEFL O’Neill’s Sportswear Division One, successfully so with a game to spare, Kelly (pictured above with coach Mark Rooney) was honoured for his efforts throughout a difficult campaign. The forward beat off competition from a number of team-mates to take home the Johnny Martin Memorial Cup.

The 25-year-old notched 10 goals along the way as Square preserved their Division 1 status – including a hat-trick against Trim Town and braces against Kentstown Rovers and Navan Town as  the season drew to a close. An ever present, Kelly finished as the club’s top goalscorer.

His team-mate Cian Halpenny was named the club’s Most Improved Player – a new award introduced by the club this year. The teenager has featured regularly in the first team squad this term and has been deployed at full back and on the wing when selected.

In January’s Chicken Curry Cup match held at the Boys School Field, Halpenny scored this belter from long range.

Also on the night, Aaron Kerley was honoured as he was named the Square United Reserve Player of the Year and Mark Smyth was the richly deserving awardee of the Club Person of the Year gong for all of his off-pitch efforts for the club this year.