Ronan McGarrity is one of the favourites to land the Mayo Footballer of the Year award - just months after being diagnosed with cancer. The 26-year-old Mayo and Ballina Stephenites star was forced to stop playing after receiving the dreaded news last spring, but he successfully battled the disease and was back playing within three months. He proved he is back to his best when receiving the man of the match award for his performance in Ballina's Connacht club final victory over St. Brigid's last Sunday. The towering midfielder said his battle with cancer had given him a new perspective on life and football. "There's a lot of people out there worse than I was. I am one of the fortunate ones. We caught it early and got the treatment. Hopefully, it's all behind me now," he said. McGarrity, who is also a top basketball player with Ballina side Merry Monk, is in the running for the award along with his Ballina colleagues Kenny Golden and David Brady, Charlestown's David Tiernan and John Brogan of Knockmore. Mike Finnerty, coordinator of the Mayo News Player of the Year online scheme, said: "It's a remarkable turnaround for Ronan to be even considered for this award. "It just shows his qualities as a player and also his battling qualities. When Ronan came back, he gave his club Ballina Stephenites a huge lift." Tweet

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