Dan Shanahan (Waterford) and Marc Ó Sé (Kerry) have been announced as the Opel Gaelic Players of the Year for Hurling and Football for 2007 by the Gaelic Players Association at the GPA's Annual Gala and Awards Evening in Citywest. Dan Shanahan and Marc Ó Sé won the accolades following a vote by the GPA membership after being shortlisted for the prize in October. Due to their outstanding performances throughout the GAA season, both players will receive a brand new Opel Astra worth approximately ?25,000. Commenting on the announcement, Dessie Farrell, Chief Executive of the Gaelic Players' Association said, "I would like to pay special tribute to our two award winners. While Waterford's bid fell agonisingly short, Dan's contribution to the hurling championship was simply spectacular and he has the significant consolation of being honoured by his peers. It's often very difficult for defenders to grab the limelight but Marc's consistently inspirational performances for Kerry last summer were critical to his county's success. Congratulations to both players and all their team-mates who helped them on their way." Dave Sheeran, Managing Director, Opel Ireland, said, "Opel Ireland is proud to be associated with Dan Shanahan and Marc Ó Sé, a pair of individuals who epitomise the spirit of Gaelic Games. Both players have created a fantastic sense of excitement across the country throughout the GAA season and we are delighted to acknowledge their magnificent achievements." The three nominees for the Opel Gaelic Player of the year for Hurling as chosen by the Hurling Selection Committee were: Dan Shanahan (Waterford), Ollie Moran (Limerick) and Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny) while the three nominations for the Opel Gaelic Player of the year for Football as chosen by the Football Selection Committee were: Marc Ó Sé (Kerry), Colm Cooper (Kerry) and Declan O'Sullivan (Kerry) The Opel Gaelic Teams of the year for Hurling and Football were named in October and each player on the team will receive ?2,500, making the total value of prizes given out on the night worth approximately ?125,000. The 2007 Opel Gaelic team of the Year for Hurling in full consists of: 1. Damien Fitzhenry (Wexford) 2. Michael Kavanagh (Kilkenny) 3. Stephen Lucey (Limerick) 4. Jackie Tyrell (Kilkenny) 5. Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny) 6. Ken McGrath (Waterford) 7. Mark Foley (Limerick) 8. James "Cha" Fitzpatrick (Kilkenny) 9. Michael Walsh (Waterford) 10. Eddie Brennan (Kilkenny) 11. Ollie Moran (Limerick) 12. Dan Shanahan (Waterford) 13. Andrew O'Shaughnessy (Limerick) 14. Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny) 15. Martin Comerford (Kilkenny) The 2007 Opel Gaelic team of the Year for Football in full consists of: 1. Stephen Cluxton (Dublin) 2. Marc Ó Sé (Kerry) 3. Darren Fay (Meath) 4. Conor Gormley (Tyrone) 5. Tomás Ó Sé (Kerry) 6. Aidan O'Mahony (Kerry) 7. Barry Cahill (Dublin) 8. Darragh Ó Sé (Kerry) 9. Nicholas Murphy (Cork) 10. Declan O'Sullivan (Kerry) 11. Alan Brogan (Dublin) 12. Paul Galvin (Kerry) 13. Colm Cooper (Kerry) 14. Paddy Bradley (Derry) 15. Thomas Freeman (Monaghan) Tweet

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