Awards: Best Senior Hurler
January 12, 2012
Na Fianna's Barry Slevin
While Meath senior hurlers failed to make the knock out stages of the Christy Ring Cup, the club scene in the county remains as strong as ever. We take a look at some of the best performer during 2011.
Enda Keogh has been the rock on which Kildalkey built their brilliant three in a row of Meath senior hurling titles. The defender has been consistently good for Kildalkey. Man of the match in the 2010 decider against Kilmessan, Keogh was also a contender for the 2011 decider. The 2007 Ring Cup All Star winner was outstanding against Kilmessan in the semi-final.
Peter Durnin has been in great form for club and county these past three years. Although disappointed to lose out to O'Mahony's in the SHC semi final Kiltale have been showing signs that they are championship contenders again. In round 4 of the championship Kiltale defeated Kildalkey 3-10 to 3-9 and Durnin scored 1-4 that wet day in Athboy. Peter was in brilliant form for Kiltale as they overcame Killyon at a sunny Pairc Tailteann 4-15 to 1-15, scoring a massive 3-9. In round 2 Durnin outscored Longwood on his own, Kiltale winning 1-21 to 1-8 and Durnin scoring ten points. Peter was also in great scoring form for the Meath senior hurlers throughout 2011.
Clann Na nGael were relegated from senior to intermediate in 2011. Despite losing every game in the championship, the Athboy club can be proud that they have one of the finest hurlers in Meath club circles. Gary Mangan has been outstanding for Clann Na Gael these past five years and 2011 was no exception. The centre back was always on the score sheet and always dominated his opponent. With players like this in their ranks it won't be too long before Clann Na nGael are back playing senior hurling.
Na Fianna had an outstanding 2011. The club got the year off to a great start by winning the Leinster Hurling League Division 3 title beating Shanahoe of Laois in a replay. Mike Cole's charges carried this form into the championship. Wins over Drumree, Gaeil Colmcille and Dunboyne propelled Na Fianna into the quarter finals. Barry Slevin was the clubs main player and scorer. A goal and six against Drumree, three massive sideline cuts were send over the bar against Gaeil Colmcille while nine points against Dunboyne in a 1-15 to 0-15 win were enough to get the club to the quarters. In the two games against Shanahoe Barry scored fifteen points. Like Durnin, Slevin has also been in great form with the county seniors.
Kildalkey owe much of their 2011 success to Derek Doran. The talented dual star, who has already appeared on these awards, got some crucial scores for club and county. Kildalkey got the defence of their SHC crown back on track (they lost to Kilmessan in the opening round) by beating Clann Na Gael 4-20 to 1-5, Doran scored 3-6. Amazingly Derek equalled this score in round three against Longwood. Doran got another hat trick of goals against Trim in the quarter final and his brace of goals against O'Mahony's was the telling difference in the SHC final.
Stephen Forde has been the best club full back in Meath for the past three years. Winner of a green star award in 2005 and 2008 the defender was very consistent again in 2011. The no nonsense defender was brilliant in the semi final win over Kilmessan and again in the final against O'Mahony's marking a host of forward's that came his way.
Our Award goes to Barry Slevin.
Tomorrow we pick our U16 Footballer of the Year.
Our previous award winners
Awards: Unluckiest team
Awards: Best former county man still playing
Awards: Best Ladies Footballer
Awards: Best U21 Footballer
Awards: Best combination of referee and player
Awards: Best Minor Hurler
Awards: Best Intermediate Club Footballer
Awards: Best Club Grounds
Awards: Best Dual Player at Club Level
Awards: Club of the Year (on the playing field)
Awards: Best referee in a pressure situation
Awards: Best Intermediate Club Hurler
Awards: Senior Club Footballer of the Year
Awards: Best Junior Championship Player
Awards: Best Meath star in a club management role
Awards: Minor Footballer of the Year
Awards: Best comeback in a championship match
Awards: Best togged out team at adult level
Awards: Best display in a ladies football final
Awards: Most medals won Tweet
