Football Team of the Year
November 27, 2011
1 - Tony McDonnell (Summerhill)
2 - Davy Dalton (Summerhill)
3 - Kenny McTigue (Dunshaughlin)
4 - Michael Ahern (Dunshaughlin)
5 - Ciaran Ellis (Donaghmore/Ashbourne)
6 - Caoimhin King (Dunshaughlin)
7 - Anthony Forde (Moynalvey)
8 - John Crimmins (Dunshaughlin)
9 - Conor Gillespie (Summerhill)
10 - Eoin Reilly (Donaghmore/Ashbourne)
11 - Brian Ennis (Summerhill)
12 - Conor Devereux (Dunshaughlin)
13 - Cillian O'Sullivan (Moynalvey)
14 - Cathal O'Dwyer (Dunshaughlin)
15 - Adrian Kenny (Summerhill)
1 - Tony McDonnell (Summerhill):
Became the first goalkeeper since Donal Smyth in 1988 to captain a team to Keegan Cup glory and certainly played his part in achieving that feat. While he wasn't called into action too often in either game against Dunshaughlin but he was outstanding in Summerhill's semi-final success over Wolfe Tones. He made a stunning save from a well-struck Cian Ward penalty in the latter stages of that outing and even managed to divert the rebound around the post. Never put a foot wrong all year and his lengthy kick-outs were a huge asset.
Honourable mentions: Ronan Gogan (Dunshaughlin), David Drew (Gaeil Colmcille), Andrew Colgan (Donaghmore/Ashbourne).
2 - Davy Dalton (Summerhill):
The new Meath management team turned a blind eye to Dalton's talents this year but, after watching the pacy Summerhill corner-back in action in the SFC final replay, surely Seamus McEnaney will pen him into his notebook for next term. Dalton kept Cathal O'Dwyer scoreless from play and was one of the main ingredients in Summerhill ending their 25-year Keegan Cup famine with a faultless display of defending. That performance sugarcoated a superb season for Dalton.
Honourable mentions: Declan Smith (Gaeil Colmcille), Robbie Kiernan (Moynalvey), Ian Matthews (Navan O'Mahonys)
3 - Kenny McTigue (Dunshaughlin):
Most would have expected McTigue to be drawing the footballing pension by now given the lengthy service he has given Dunshaughlin but has he ever had a better year in a black and amber shirt? It's doubtful. Despite his advancing years, he was a colossus at the heart of the Dunshaughlin defence and even in the league final success over Blackhall Gaels he produced a performance right out of the top drawer.
Honourable mentions: Caolan Young (Summerhill), Darren Fay (Dunderry), Cormac McGill (Donaghmore/Ashbourne)
4 - Michael Ahern (Dunshaughlin):
Was better known as a goalkeeper earlier in his career but has firmly established himself as a top defender in recent years. Was regularly handed the task of keeping tabs on the opposition dangerman and coped admirably with the responsibility on each occasion. His best performance arguably came in the final replay when he made a number of crucial interceptions and kept Adrian Kenny to a single point in the second half after Alaistar Doyle had found him too hot to handle.
Honourable mentions: Sean Curran (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), Padraig Donoghue (Moynalvey), Willie Ryan (Summerhill).
5 - Ciaran Ellis (Donaghmore/Ashbourne):
Prior to fluffing their lines in the SFC semi-final against Dunshaughlin, Donaghmore/ Ashbourne appeared genuine Keegan Cup challengers and Ellis was one of the stars of their voyage to the last four. A lively wing-back with the pace of a 100-metre sprinter, Ellis tormented defences by surging forward whenever the opportunity arose. His best display of the campaign came in the quarter-final demolition of Dunboyne when he contribution 1-1 to his side's account.
Honourable mentions: Niall McLoughlin (Wolfe Tones), Sean Corrigan (Ballivor), Stephen MacGabhann (Navan O'Mahonys)
6 - Caoimhin King (Dunshaughlin):
Had Brian Ennis not sent over a late equaliser for Summerhill in the drawn final, King would have picked up the Man of the Match gong afterwards as he was the best player on the pitch by quite some distance. He appeared very comfortable in the number six jersey throughout the championship and his reading of the game from that position surely caught the eye of Seamus McEnaney.
Honourable mentions: Richie Hatton (Summerhill), Tony Fox (Ballivor), Colm O'Mealoid (Donaghmore/Ashbourne)
7 - Anthony Forde (Moynalvey):
One of a number of Moynalvey youngsters to enhance their reputations this season. The pacy wing-back surged forward at crucial times in games, most notably in the semi-final success over Dunderry and turned in another fine performance in the IFC decider against Gaeil Colmcille. A star of the future.
Honourable mentions: Eoin Riordan (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), Stephen Husband (Summerhill), Gary O'Brien (Navan O'Mahonys)
8 - John Crimmins (Dunshaughlin):
Wasn't even a starter on the Dunshaughlin team at the start of the season but that soon changed as his physical presence was a huge asset. Was arguably the best midfielder on show in both final outings with his aerial ability and work-rate causing Summerhill all sorts of problems. Also had an excellent outing when marking Shane O'Rourke in his side's quarter-final victory over Simonstown.
Honourable mentions: John Donoghue (Moynalvey), Micheal Byrne (Summerhill), Noel Kirby (Ballivor).
9 - Conor Gillespie (Summerhill):
His two stunning long range points ensured Summerhill got a second bite of the cherry against Dunshaughlin and also managed to get his name on the scoresheet in the replay. Looked county class in that replay and was a vital cog in the Summerhill machine this year. Will surely be a more integral part of Seamus McEnaney's plans this season.
Honourable mentions: Philly Ward (Gaeil Colmcille), Ray Maloney (Dunshaughlin), Damien Moran (Navan O'Mahonys).
10 - Eoin Reilly (Donaghmore/Ashbourne):
Although Donaghmore/Ashbourne fluffed their lines in the SFC semi-final against Dunshaughlin, Reilly still had a fantastic season in the green jersey and was rewarded with a call-up to Banty's Royal army. Starred in the quarter-final demolition of Dunboyne and also excelled against Dunshaughlin in the group stages of the competition.
Honourable mentions: Mark O'Sullivan (Moynalvey), Padraig Geoghegan (Ballivor), Alan Forde (Navan O'Mahonys).
11 - Brian Ennis (Summerhill):
Wasn't at his best in the final replay but did earn his side that date when keeping his nerve to fire over a late free in the drawn encounter. Not only did he contribute handsomely on the scoreboard throughout the campaign but he also funnelled back to help out his defence when needed, and did so to good effect in the semi-final success over Wolfe Tonesl.
Honourable mentions: Stephen Bray (Navan O'Mahonys), Trevor Dowd (Dunshaughlin), Ciaran Beirne (Donaghmore/Ashbourne).
12 - Conor Devereux (Dunshaughlin):
While he mightn't have got on the scoresheet in the replay, Devereux was one of Dunshaughlin's best performers and constantly showed for possession. That display epitomised his season as he was one of the main ingredients in his side's surprise voyage to the Keegan Cup decider.
Honourable mentions: Stephen Coogan (Dunderry), Gary Arkins (Gaeil Colmcille), David Donoghue (Moynalvey).
13 - Cillian O'Sullivan (Moynalvey):
Showed plenty of promise for the Meath minors this term and translated that ability onto the club stage with a number of performances right out of the top drawer. The pick of the bunch was surely his display in Moynalvey's semi-final success over Dunderry when he made a well-touted defence look very ordinary when netting a brace of goals.
Honourable mentions: Brian Hanlon (Gaeil Colmcille), Cian Ward (Wolfe Tones), Sean Dalton (Summerhill).
14 - Cathal O'Dwyer (Dunshaughlin):
What he lacks in size, he certainly makes up for in pace and guile. O'Dwyer was Dunshaughlin's most consistent forward throughout the campaign and his three points from play in the drawn match were all excellent efforts created by his trickery on the ball.
Honourable mentions: Mairtin Doran (Ballivor), Joe Sheridan (Seneschalstown), Alban Crosbie (Walterstown).
15 - Adrian Kenny
(Summerhill):
Scored six points from play in the SFC final replay and no one questioned the decision to award him with the Man of the Match accolade afterwards. That was one of a number of top-class displays from Kenny who had to drop back into defence at various stages in the season to help the Summerhill cause.
Honourable mentions: Marty Mulhall (Bective), David Morgan (Donaghmore/Ashbourne), Sean Whelan (Blackhall Gaels).
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