Byrne scoops top accolade at awards

THERE was an opportunity to reflect on the triumphs of last season when the Meath & District League annual presentation awards night was staged at the Ardboyne Hotel on Friday where Meath referees scooped the top award. This year, the award for referee-of-the-year was presented jointly to Conor Byrne and Pat Henry. This represented a fine achievement for Byrne who won the award outright last year and continues to impress with his ability on the pitch. The popular official handled this season"s Challenge Cup final between Glenmuir and Trim Celtic at United Park, Drogheda last May. The special guest was FAI official Gerry McDermott who is a native of Dundalk and the former chief soccer correspondent with the Irish Independent. McDermott gave a brief summary of his role within the association and an outline of the plans that are currently in place, most notably the opening of the Aviva Stadium which is on schedule, and the Vantage Club offer for clubs. All team and individual awards were presented on the night by various MDL executive members in addition to McDermott and Meath Development Officer Mark Scanlon. The club-of-the-year went to Carrick Rovers in recognition of their discipline and excellent application, both and off the field of play. Currently Carrick Rovers are playing a leading role in assisting the FAI in their planning of festival events in Monaghan in the lead up to the annual meeting in early July. Having secured a third league title in-a-row with Ardee Celtic"s third team, popular boss Danny Doyle was announced as the 'manager-of-the -year" for the remarkable achievement. He led the team to the hat-trick with what was in effect a development squad of players designed to help boost the club"s second and first teams. As an added bonus Ardee Celtic and Carrick also received a €300 O"Neills Sports voucher and five FIFA approved match footballs each. A special commemorative award was made to long-serving NECSL official, and current vice-chairman Gerry Browne who has been an ever-present on the NECSL committee in various roles since its foundation 25 years ago, as the Meath Schoolboys" League. The 'referee-of-the-year" award was shared between Pat Henry and last season"s recipient Conor Byrne, both members of the Meath Branch ISRS. Talented Rock Celtic striker David Ward took the overall 'player-of-the-year" accolade while Simon Douglas from Clones Town and Mark Jordan from Skryne / Tara took the honours in Div 1 and Div 2 respectively. There were no individual player awards given out for Div 3 and Div 4 as not enough clubs voted to allow a declaration of a winner in each case. The competition winners and runners-up were: Premier League - 1, Rock Celtic; 2, Woodview Celtic: Div 1 - 1, Clones Town; 2, Torro Utd; Div 2 - 1, Skryne / Tara; 2, Bohermeen Celtic; Div 3 - 1, Black Bull; 2, Rossin Rovers; Div 4 - 1, Knightsbrook; 2, Bailieboro Celtic. Premier Reserve - 1, Duleek; 2, Glenmuir Utd; Premier A Reserve - 1, Ardee Celtic; 2, Navan Town; Premier B Reserve - 1, Navan Cosmos; 2, OMP Utd; Premier C Reserve - 1, Johnstown; 2, Kingscourt Celtic. O"Neill Shield - 1, Carrick Rovers; 2, Electro Celtic. Kilmessan Shield - 1, Duleek; 2, Carrick Rovers. Gerry Reilly Memorial Cup - 1, Knightsbrook; 2, Carrick; Fitzsimons Cup - 1, Parkvilla; 2, Summerhill Celtic; Reserve Cup - 1, Navan Cosmos; 2, Duleek; Challenge Cup - 1, Glenmuir Utd; 2, Trim Celtic. Player-of-the-year - Premier - David Ward (Rock celtic); Div 1 - Simon Douglas (Clones Town); Div 2 - Mark Jordan (Skryne/Tara). Referee-of-the-Year - Pat Henry and Conor Byrne (Meath Branch ISRS); Manager-of-the-year - Danny Doyle (Ardee Celtic); Club-of-the-year - Carrick Rovers. Preparations are already well underway for the 2009 / 2010 season with the closing date for applications set for Tuesday, 30th June. Clubs which were affiliated last season have already received registration renewal lists and have until Tuesday, 11th August to finalise panels for the new season. The MDL committee will be busy over the next few weeks as they assess and grade teams in what could be a more streamlined league. Proposals to reduce the number of teams in each division to 10 were sanctioned at the annual general meeting.