GAA awards night set for Trim
The cream of Meath Gaelic games will be honoured on Friday night when the Co Committee will host their annual presentation and awards dinner at Trim GAA clubhouse. Apart from the Kehoe Cup and Leinster MFC medals which will be presented, seven awards will be handed out including the footballer-of-the-year award to Navan O"Mahonys forward David Bray and hurler-of-the-year prize to Kilmessan"s Stephen Clynch. Bray has often been overshadowed by his brother Stephen, but in 2008 he stepped into the limelight with many wonderful performances that inspired Navan O"Mahonys to their first SFC crown in 11 years. While Stephen scooped the Meath Supporters Club player-of-the-year, David"s accolade is in recognition for the efforts that saw him develop into one of the county"s leading young forwards and has seen him progress on to the Meath senior panel. Clynch"s prize is yet another symbol of what a great year it has been for the Kilmessan man. The first piece of silverware he got his hands was as captain of the Meath senior hurling side that won the Kehoe Cup. Success also came in his club colours. He gave a man-of-the-match performance despite being ill when Kilmessan defeated Kildalkey to lift their 28th SHC title and then a few weeks later they shocked the hurling world by beating Kilkenny"s Erin"s Own in the Leinster Club IHC final. The season ultimately ended in disappointment last January when Kilmessan lost out to Cappataggle in the All-Ireland IHC semi-final, but once again he was his side"s best player before being harshly sent-off late in the contest. The remarkable success that Kilmessan enjoyed has ensured that they will receive the club-of-the-year award. Not only did the senior side enjoy success, but they also claimed honours at JHC, u-21 HC and the A HL Div 2. It was a brilliant year for the club and that will be recognised on Friday night. Another player who enjoyed a memorable year was Donaghmore / Ashbourne"s Sean Curran. Already a regular fixture on his club"s senior team, Curran was superb through the Meath minor team"s run to claiming the Leinster MFC. His great form has earned him the young footballer-of-the-year award while Dunboyne"s Ger Murphy will receive the young hurler accolade. Donaghmore / Ashbourne will receive the ground-of-the-year award. The Hall of Fame award for 2008 will go to former chairman Fintan Ginnity in recognition for his decades of service to Meath Co Committee.