Andrew Murnin was been named as the Armagh Footballer of the Year for 2023 at last night’s annual awards ceremony.
The St Paul’s sharpshooter enjoyed an excellent year in the orange and white and was nominated for an official All-Star.
Murnin, an All-Ireland winning minor in 2009, has had a troubled history with injury that has disrupted his county career.
But he put all that behind him in 2023 and excelled at full forward for Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh team.
Murnin played in 14 of Armagh’s 17 games this season, missing out on both McKenna Cup games against Antrim and Cavan.
The full forward was also unavailable for the opening round of the Ulster Championship as Armagh hammered Antrim.
But Murnin played every other game this year and made telling contributions right throughout the season.
His haul of 0-3 in the second round of the league helped the Orchard County earn a deserved draw against Mayo.
Murnin scored 0-8 throughout the league and hoppled off with a hamstring injury in the final round against Tyrone.
Armagh were relegated that day in Healy Park and that injury kept Murnin out of action for the first round of the championship.
Championship
But he returned for the Ulster quarter-final and chipped in with a point as Armagh overcame Cavan.
His first goal of the year came in the semi-final as he finished with 1-1 against Down as Armagh reached the Ulster final for the first time since 2008.
Murnin didn’t have a great day in the decider but was back to his best in the first round of the group stages.
With the Ulster final hangover obviously hindering Armagh, Murnin stepped up. He scored 0-3 and set up Conor Turbitt’s game-winning goal.
Murnin then scored 0-3 against both Galway and Monaghan as Armagh reached back-to-back quarter-finals for the first time since 2006.
Murnin scoring qualities were key for the Orchardmen, but his ability to win kickouts was another key facet.
He has been one of the key men over the last number of years and thoroughly deserves the Player of the Year gong.
