Meath GAA awards recognise excellence on various fronts

Footballer of the Year – Mathew Costello (Dunshaughlin)

Mathew enjoyed a fine season for Meath as the side retained their place in Division 2 of the Allianz Football League, with the highlight coming in the game against Louth in Páirc Tailteann when he scored one of the best goals seen at the Brews Hill venue, but it was during the Club Championship where his talent really shone the brightest.

After helping Dunshaughlin claim the Division 1B title upon his return from county duties, Mathew then took a central role as Dunshaughlin claimed a first Keegan Cup title since 2002. Across their six game he registered 3-14 with 3-06 of that total coming from play. His average score per game was 3.8 points, with an average of 2.5 points per game coming from play. In addition to this he laid on a large number of scores for his fellow attackers but his finest moment came in the final when after giving the ball away for a late Wolfe Tones goal, he kicked a couple of points to bring Dunshaughlin back into the game before popping up with the match winning goal.

Hurler of the Year – Padraig O’Hanrahan (Ratoath)

Padraig finished the Ted Murtagh Clothing & Footwear, Trim Senior Hurling Championship as the competitions top scorers overall with a final tally of 1-67 over the seven games, giving him an average of ten points per game. His overall net value to Ratoath on their journey to winning the SHC is showcased by the fact he accounted for 35% of his sides scores in the Championship. Whenever Ratoath needed a score, Padraic invariably managed to come up with a big moment, whether scoring himself or setting a teammate up for a score.

In what was a challenging season for the Meath Hurlers, Padraic also showed very well, assuming the free taking duties and showcasing his leadership throughout the season. His finest moment in the county jersey this year possibly came in a losing performance when he registered a remarkable 0-17 against Down in Ballycran, showing unerring accuracy from place balls throughout the game.

Young Footballer of the Year – Gary Breslin (Meath Hill)

2024 proved to be a historic year for the Meath Hill club and it is one which will be forever etched in the history books as the first time in the clubs history that they won the Meade Farm Intermediate Football Championship, meaning they will play Senior Football for their first time in 2025.

Central to that success was the form of Gary Breslin who was in scintillating form throughout, despite carrying an injury for the closing stages of the Championship. In total, Gary landed 1-39 over the six games, averaging seven points per game and of that total, 1-24 came from play. Whenever he got possession of the ball, a ripple of excitement went through the crowd, something which showcased the impact Gary has had in 2024. He excelled in all of the knockout games but none more than in their quarter final when he landed a goal and nine points, with 1-07 of that total coming from play in what was one of the best individual performances of the year by any player.

Young Hurler of the Year – Daire Shine (Kilskyre/Moylagh)

One of the finest young talents in the county, Daire continues to go from strength to strength. He enjoyed a busy season combining club and county commitments, with his dedication to the cause shining through on the opening weekend of the Joe McDonagh Cup when he lined out in Manguard Park, Hawkfield on the Friday evening in the Leinster U-20 Championship before less than twenty-four hours later, starting at corner back in Ballycran against Down in the Joe McDonagh Cup.

On the club scene, Daire was a key member of the Kilskyre/Moylagh side which ended a famine when defeating Longwood in the LMES Ltd. Division 3 League Final in early July. He then assumed added responsibility for the JM Food Services Intermediate Hurling Championship following a season ending injury to twin brother Tom but he rose magnificently to the challenge, contributing 3-30 over the course of their six games in the competition, steadily increasing his scoring output as it progressed. Disappointment ensued when his side narrowly missed out on qualifying for the knockout stages, but he helped steer the North Meath side to the B Championship, landing 2-13 across the semi-final and final.

Referee of the Year – Keith Sheerin (Castletown)

The Castletown clubman who has been a match official since 2018 is a richly deserved winner of the Referee of the Year Award which is this year named in memory of former St. Mary’s referee Noel Martin who sadly passed to his eternal reward earlier in 2024.

Keith is dedicated to the cause of refereeing and has quickly climbed the ranks of match officials in the county along with his team of line umpires. No matter what the grade of game he is officiating at, Keith takes the same professional approach to his role and has an excellent style of communicating with players which helps matches flow well. His excellent season was capped in October with the appointment to referee the Balreask Bar, Restaurant & Guest Accommodation JFC Final between Dunsany and St. Vincent’s.

Most Improved Referee of the Year – Darren Dunne (St. Peters Dunboyne)

Darren follows in the footsteps of 2023 winner Robert Purfield in winning the Most Improved Referee Award and it is a richly deserved recognition for the St. Peter’s Dunboyne whistler who enjoyed a fine year.

The highlight of the year was his appointment to the inaugural JM Food Services Intermediate B Hurling Championship Final between Kilskyre/Moylagh and Gaeil Colmcille, a game which he contributed enormously to. Over the course of the season, Darren has

officiated in approximately thirty games across adult and juvenile and he is well regarded by all clubs as a fair and balanced referee who allows the game flow while keeping a lid on any potential flashpoints.

Grounds of the Year – Summerhill

Summerhill GAA has been recognised for its exceptional commitment to facility development and improvement, earning the prestigious Grounds of the Year award. The club has undertaken significant upgrades to enhance both player and supporter experiences, including installing a new drainage system on the main pitch, constructing a new viewing area on the east side of the grounds, resurfacing the car park and installing a walking track, installing an electronic scoreboard, upgrading the training pitch with LED Floodlights and developing a new gym facility adjacent to the main clubhouse.

Club of the Year – Navan O’Mahonys

There was a consistency of performance from the Brews Hill club in 2024 that was unmatched anywhere else in the county and what makes it all the more impressive is that it was across both football and hurling and at both adult and juvenile level, not to mention the successes enjoyed in Camogie and Ladies Football.

On the hurling front they completed a famous double, landing both the JM Food Services Intermediate Hurling Championship title and the K Windoes & Doors Junior Hurling Championship. The crossbar was struck in the Meade Farm Intermediate Football Championship Final when Meath Hill won after extra-time and also in the Meath Cleaning Supplies Premier Football Championship Division 2 Final when St. Patrick’s won at the second time of asking but they did lay claim to the Premier 6 Championship. 5 Adult Championship Finals contested marked a remarkable season and they also reached both of the Division 1 Minor Championship Finals in football and hurling. And without going into detail on all that was won on the Camogie and Ladies Football front, the Bective Stud Tea Rooms & Apartments Intermediate and Junior B Camogie Championships also were won by O’Mahonys.

Public Relations Award – Moynalvey

Seven years after they became the third winners of the Public Relations Award, Moynalvey become the first club to win the award for a second time. Paul Greene has consistently been among the best Public Relations Awards officers over the past ten years and brings a professionalism to the role and sets a standard for other clubs to match.

Whether it is an adult championship game for the men, a ladies game, a juvenile fixture or the club lotto, you can be sure that Moynalvey are giving it maximum exposure. Through their social media channels everything that goes on in the club is well advertised and covered,

regular match updates are provided through their X (formerly Twitter) channel and excellent match reports are also carried out on games at all levels.

Hall of Fame – Patsy McGearty (Ballivor)

Patsy has the somewhat unique distinction of playing in All-Ireland Finals for Meath in 1952 and 1954 as first an outfield player and then as a goalkeeper for the 1954 All-Ireland Final. In both the drawn game and replay in 1952, Patsy lined out at right half back against Mayo before migrating to be the net-minder for the victorious 1954 Final against Kerry.

The Ballivor clubman is one of a small but select group of players from the club who have All-Ireland Senior medals along with Bertie Cunningham (RIP), Conor Martin, Paddy Dixon (RIP) and Willie Rispin (RIP).

* The winners will receive their awards at a Presentation Dinner on Friday December 6 in the Castle Arch Hotel, Trim.