FALMOUTH, Trelawny — MONTEGO Bay United's (MBU) Fabian McCarthy created local football history on Monday night, when he became the first western Jamaica player to be named the Red Stripe Premier League Star Baller of the Month for December.

McCarthy, who goes by the nick name 'Ding', was presented with a cheque for $30,000 by sponsors China Harbour Engineering Company (CHEC) at Monday night's game between Harbour View and Waterhouse in Kingston.

In five games played in December, MBU won three and drew two. McCarthy was instrumental in scoring two goals — both from the penalty spot — while featuring in the defensive unit that allowed just four goals, two coming in a 3-2 win away to Highgate.

McCarthy scored a third-minute penalty in a 1-0 win over Boys' Town at the Montego Bay Sports Complex on December 9. Three days later, he scored another goal from the 12-yard spot to earn a 1-1 draw against defending champions Portmore United at Ferdie Neita Park.

Despite his rugged play, McCarthy's disciplinary record for the month was clean and he was nominated as the player of the game for his team in three of the five games.

The 'CHEC Star Baller' of the month for the 2012-2013 Red Stripe Premier League season is chosen based on a number of criteria, with the player being selected by his coach each match for the month, in combination with the Premier League Club Association's secretariat's records.

The criteria are: positive impact on the team's performance, good disciplinary record, number of games played in the month as well as goals scored, which is optional, while goalkeepers are judged on number of clean sheets.

McCarthy missed last Sunday's 3-2 win over Sporting Central Academy, but should be available for Sunday's game away to Arnett Gardens.