ABBEY CBS has reason to cheer with confirmation that full-forward, James McGovern, has been selected on the Bank of Ireland Ulster Colleges Football Allstar team for 2004.

The news is sure to give the Abbey players a badly needed lift as they prepare for their MacRory Cup quarter-final against St Macartan's of Monaghan next week (07 Feb).

It may have proved a difficult season so far for the Abbey in the premier Ulster Colleges competition, but that didn't prevent Burren player James impressing the selectors in the two trial games used to finalise the team.

Top scorer for his side this year, James has iIJ1Pressed in every game; despite the difficulties his side have faced in getting positive results. They lost to surprise package, St Macartan's, earlier in the tournament 0-14 to 1-8, a result that helped the Monaghan school to the top qualifying spot.

The Allstar award caps a great year for James, who was vice-captain of the Down minor team last season and went on to lift south Down under-21 and Premier Reserve Championship medals before the end of the term. The latest in a line of top class footballers from his extended family, James is the son of former Down senior player, Brendan, and is a full cousin of former Allstar and All-Ireland medallist, Micheal Magill.

This is the 17th year of the Ulster College's All stars cheme and previous teams read like a who's who of top Ulster players. James may be the only selection from Down in 2004 but it is enough to keep the Abbey joint-top of the overall list with 37 players selected since 1988.

St Patrick's Maghera, who are on the same number, have two in the 2004 team while St Colman's, who are without a representative this year, sit fourth overall with 29.