O’Connor’s main goal remains

ALL SMILES: Roughyeds star Paul O’Connor is a happy man after being handed four player-of-the-year awards.

OLDHAM will set out this weekend to fulfil brave Paul O'Connor's big wish.

The full-back cleaned up four awards at the player-of-the-year evening last week and added to that last night by claiming his spot in the full-back shirt in the Co-operative National League Two team of the year (see back page).

O'Connor, a former Great Britain Students player, said at the time that to pick up a Grand Final winners' medal would be the "icing on the cake" at the end of a successful season.

Afterwards, his coach Steve Deakin cited the instance whereby O'Connor put his hand up to play against Barrow at Boundary Park last month — despite being severely troubled by a hip injury from the week before — as being evidence of the kind of qualities the 24-year-old possesses.

Not only did O'Connor turn out in the number one shirt — he also performed admirably in scoring two tries in the memorable 34-22 win, one of which was a superb 80-metre sprint from the base of the scrum.

As well as taking the overall player-of-the-year award, chosen by Deakin and sponsored by Spindles Town Square Shopping Centre, O'Connor picked up three other awards on the night: the Dave Davenport Trophy as Supporters' player of the year, the Support Group's player-of-the-year award and the players' player trophy, sponsored by Greentree (Oldham) Ltd.

The try-of-the-season award went to Neil Roden for his effort at the end of a superb, flowing move, in the 16-6 win against Whitehaven at Boundary Park in the Northern Rail Cup back in April.

Danny Halliwell, who has had a great season at both centre and second-row, won the Junior Supporters' player-of-the-year award, a special award went to Harrison Quinn, the chairman's son and team mascot, while former Chronicle rugby league correspondent Roger Halstead picked up a clubman-of-the-year award for his extensive voluntary work on the club's behalf behind the scenes.

In the reserves squad, the Brian Gartland Memorial Trophy as player of the year, chosen by coach John Hough, went to 17-year-old Scott Mansfield, who signed a two-year deal on professional terms with the club last week.

Full-back Anthony Bingham won the try-of-the-season award for his length-of-the-field effort against Widnes; the supporters' player of the year award, backed by Rugby Oldham, the supporters Trust, was won by Dale Lowe; while Chris Clarke, another signing to the professional ranks, won the players' player-of-the-year trophy.