Meath Ladies Awards Night Another Huge Success!

Almost 200 people attended the now Annual Meath Ladies Awards Night in Castle Arch Hotel on Friday evening.

Meath Ladies PRO Aisling Clery was MC for the evening and got proceedings underway with the presentation of Leinster and All Ireland winning medals to the Meath Minor team after their successful year where, as Fergal Lynch aptly remarked, they had lost two Championship games in two years by one point on each occasion. The Presentations were made by special guest Leinster President Finbarr O'Driscoll. Minor Player of the Year went to Dunsany's Megan Thynne for an outstanding year for the Minor team. Special presentations were also made to the Minor Management team and the team's sponsor Tony McEntee who was thanked sincerely by team captain, Marion Farrelly.

County Minor Player of the Year Megan Thynne with Marion Farrelly and Leinster President Finbarr O'Driscoll

The U21s were also presented with their All Ireland blitz medals with Meath Senior and U21 manager Eoin Hennessy presenting the U21 Player of the Year Award to Royal Gaels' Niamh Gallogly.

Meath Senior Player of the Year went to an extremely surprised Niamh O'Sullivan who returned to the Royal fold in 2016 and produced top class performances in tough conditions for the Royals this season.

Senior Player of the Year Niamh O'Sullivan with manager Eoin Hennessy

Golden Boot Awards were then presented by Chairperson Fearghal Harney. Oldcastle's Aobhínn Timmons collected the Junior C Award, Julie Donnellan won the Junior B Boot, Clann na nGael's full forward Louise O'Connor took home the Junior A Boot. The Intermediate category was a hard fought battle but the trophy is heading to Dunboyne's Vikki Wall, Vikki's second Golden Boot after winning the Junior A Award in 2015. The Senior Golden Boot is shared between Oldcastle duo Joanna Byrne and Sarah O'Reilly.

Senior championship Player of the Year nominees

After dinner, the Awards continued. Rising Star for 2016 was presented by Drumbaragh's Abbi O'Higgins to Donaghmore-Ashbourne's Abbie Timmons. Timmons had a wonderful season for her club's adult side as they captured the Division Two League title against Summerhill.

Rising Stars 

In a change to previous years, the Club Championship Players of the Year were decided and nominated by respective club managers. Junior C Club Championship Player of the Year was awarded to Player of the Junior C Final, Rachael Flynn. The Junior B Award went to Walterstown Captain Julie Donnellan who enjoyed an excellent year. The Junior A Award was announced to great cheers to St. Colmcilles footballer Gráinne Rice. St. Colmcilles captain Dearbhail Ní Oistín accepted the Award on Gráinne's behalf. Our Intermediate Club Championship Player of the Year went to an astonished Niamh O'Sullivan after a superb year for Royal Gaels. Senior Player of the Year was awarded to Bridgetta Lynch after another top class performance for Oldcastle in this year's Championship.

An Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to Dunboyne for their All Ireland Junior Club Championship success after last year's presentation while the tirelessly hardworking Mary O'Regan got the shock of her life when her name was called for her Outstanding Contribution to Meath Ladies - eight years as County Secretary and she's not done yet!

Club Team of the Year - Royal Gaels

Our Club Team of the Year, Royal Gaels Intermediate Team, has certainly had a year to remember and cherish. Unbeaten in the Intermediate Championship, they took honours over Dunboyne and went on a great run in the Leinster Intermediate Club Championship only to fall just short against Naomh Ciaran of Offaly in the semi-final. Royal Gaels were on their feet once more as Club Person of the Year was announced as Hugh McCarthy, the manager behind Royal Gaels' success in this year's Championship.

Ferghal Harney with David Carry and Elaine Hanlon Drumbaragh

Our Club of the Year were announced as Drumbaragh Ladies. A phenomenal season for the club led by David Carry and Elaine Hanlon has seen a huge increase in not only players and interest in the club but also in heart, belief and commitment for their adult team. This belief and commitment will undoubtedly push Drumbaragh forward once more in 2017, while 2016 will be looked back on as the year when things happened. Well done to all involved!

Anne Dungan with Hall of Fame winner Anne Collins

The biggest surprise of the night however went to our Hall of Fame recipient. Duleek-Bellewstown's Anne Collins. Meath Ladies Anne Dungan introduced a gobsmacked Anne Collins. Anne has been involved with most of our county teams again from u14 right through to adult level picking up numerous Leinster titles along the way. Indeed, Anne has two All Ireland titles as selector with the u16s in 2000 and 2001. Anne was also a selector with the first and only Senior County team to reach a Division 1 Final in 2006, the infamous game against Cork. However, Anne's list of accomplishments doesn't end there as she has also served also with the Executive Committee as well as fixtures, disciplinary and various other sub committees down through the years! Quite simply, Meath Ladies would not be the success it is today without the contribution of Anne Collins! Congratulations to Anne and many thanks to her family for keeping it a secret!

Club Person of the Year Hugh McCarthy (Royal Gaels) with Ferghal Harney

The night ended with Clery thanking special guests, Leinster President Finbarr O'Driscoll and his wife Nuala, Minister of State Damien English and his wife Laura, Meath GAA officials Jim Mullery and Dessie Murtagh, Drumbaragh's Abbi O'Higgins and her parents for coming to the Awards Night. She also congratulated all the winners and the nominees and thanked all those who ensured the Night's success.

Minor captain Marion Farrelly presents a framed jersey to Minor sponsor Tony McEntee

It has been another positive year for all involved in Meath Ladies Gaelic Football and we can only imagine and dream about the success stories of 2017!

Meath Ladies Awards Night Winners 2016

Meath Minor Player of the Year; Megan Thynne (Dunsany)

Meath U21 Player of the Year; Niamh Gallogly (Royal Gaels)

Meath Senior Player of the Year; Niamh O'Sullivan (Royal Gaels)

Golden Boot Awards; 

Senior; Joanna Byrne & Sarah O'Reilly (both Oldcastle)

Intermediate; Vikki Wall (Dunboyne)

Junior A; Louise O'Connor (Clann na nGael)

Junior B; Julie Donnellan (Walterstown)

Junior C; Aobhín Timmins (Oldcastle)

Meath Ladies Rising Star 2016; Abbie Timmons (Donaghmore Ashbourne)

Meath Ladies Senior Club Player of the Year; Bridgetta Lynch (Oldcastle)

Meath Ladies Intermediate Club Player of the Year; Niamh O'Sullivan (Royal Gaels)

Meath Ladies Junior A Club Player of the Year; Gráinne Rice (St. Colmcilles)

Meath Ladies Junior B Club Player of the Year; Julie Donnellan (Walterstown)

Meath Ladies Junior C Club Player of the Year; Rachael Flynn (Simonstown)

Outstanding Achievement Award; Dunboyne Junior Team (2015 All Ireland Junior winners)

Outstanding Contribution to Meath Ladies; Mary O'Regan (Royal Gaels & Meath's Secretary)

Meath Ladies Club Team of the Year; Royal Gaels Intermediate Team

Meath Ladies Club Person of the Year; Hugh McCarthy (Royal Gaels)

Meath Ladies Club of the Year; Drumbaragh

Meath Ladies Hall of Fame 2016; Anne Collins (Duleek-Bellewstown)

 

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