Sean Wall looks back at his sporting 2023

Player of the Year: Donal Keogan played his first match of the 2023 season in an O’Byrne Cup tie at Cullen Park on Wednesday 4th January and the last game of the year as Rathkenny went down to Scoil Ui Chonaill in the Leinster Club IFC semi-final on Saturday 18th November. Shortly after that he was back training with the county in preparation for the 2024 season and that probably sums up Donal Keogan. A model of consistency and an inspirational figure throughout the season for club and county as he led Meath to Tailteann Cup success and equally important qualification for the All-Ireland series in 2024. He followed that up by leading Rathkenny to an intermediate championship success. They were richly deserved successes for a player who has given so much to the game and he was further recognised with a second Meath Footballer of the Year award in December.

Coach of the Year: Prior to this year Summerhill hadn’t lifted the Keegan Cup since 2013. Before that win over Ratoath, the ‘Hill would probably be remembered as the team that lost four deciders in six years. After defeat in the 2022 final the ‘Hill safely navigated their way back to another decider, playing impressively while also looking battle weary at times. The final was a clash between the team that didn’t know how to lose and the one that didn’t know how to win! It started disastrously for Summerhill with the concession of a goal and a point in the opening minutes. However they didn’t panic, stuck to the game plan, managed to curb Ratoath from dominating in the air and kicked some fine long range points to get back in the match. Those were things they had obviously worked on in the training pitch. Their mental toughness was also crucial as many of the team had scars from previous final defeats. They need extra-time to finally get over the line but huge credit must go to Conor Gillespie for plotting a long sought success.

Club of the Year: Irish rowing has been on the crest of a wave (pun intended) for many years now thanks mainly to Skibbereen Rowing club which has produced multiple Olympic and world champions. The O’Donovan brothers began to cause ripples of excitement as they won gold medals at the 2016 European Rowing Championships and silver later in the year at the summer Olympics. Two years later they won gold at the World Rowing Championships. Fast forward to 2023 and the World Rowing Championships in Belgrade where Paul O’Donovan was partnered by another Skibbereen man Fintan McCarthy in the lightweight double sculls. As they were the reigning Olympic champions they were expected to win gold and they duly obliged, qualifying for the Paris Olympics in the process. Another Skibbereen member Aoife Casey along with Margaret Cremen also secured their place in the Paris Olympics following victory in the lightweight double sculls B final in Belgrade. On that basis they get the nod ahead of Kildalkey hurling club by half a boat length!

Magic Moment: It had to be Jack O’Connor’s goal in the Tailteann Cup final in Croke Park which sealed victory for Meath and a golden ticket to the 2024 All-Ireland series. The game was in the fifth and final minute of added time and Meath were clinging on to a two point advantage with Down on the attack. When the ball ran loose Donal Keogan pounced on it to regain possession for Meath. He passed to Conor Gray before Jack Flynn got his hands on the ball and played a lovely pass for the Curraha man to run on to and he finished to the net despite the best efforts of Down 'keeper Niall Kane.

Moan of the Year: Player welfare or lack of in the GAA. The GAA hierarchy has a committee tasked with ensuring that player welfare matters are kept to the forefront of priorities within the association but reality is much different. Meath had a prime example early in the year as Shane Walsh and Mathew Costello were among a host of players throughout the country attempting to serve two masters, play Sigerson Cup in midweek and then be ready for a crucial NFL game at the weekend. That cocktail had the inevitable outcome, serious injuries, and in Walsh’s case it left him sidelined for most of the year. How well does player welfare serve the dual player? There is little or no regard for the dual player in the present fixture schedule. County Boards hands are tied by the narrow window provided and time frame allowed for them to play their club championship. Consideration for players is well down the list.

Hope for 2024: That the Meath minor team of three years ago can add another All-Ireland title to their collection by winning the under-20 crown in 2024. Meath’s only success at that level was in 1993 when they defeated Kerry to win the then under-21 title. Three years earlier Meath had been crowned All-Ireland minor champions. Hopes are high that the present squad can follow a similar path. If the county is to progress at senior level they need to be tasting success at under-20. A win at this level is long overdue.