Awards: Junior Club Footballer of the Year
December 18, 2012
Bryan McMahon celebrates as Ratoath win the Meath JFC at pairc Tailteann
It is not surprising that our four contenders came from the final pairing. For the past few years Ratoath have been tagged as favourites for outright honours. This year under the management of former Dublin keeper Davy Byrne they finally came good, defeating neighbours in the decider with a last minute point on a 1-11 to 1-10 scoreline.
Cian O'Brien was instrumental to Ratoath's success. The former Meath minor was outstanding in the middle of the park all year for his club. His high fielding and distribution of the ball in the final was second to none. O'Brien is a player that will be under consideration for the senior county setup.
Surprisingly Mattie Devine never played senior championship football with Ashbourne this year. The talented forward showed that he has the ability to score from play or dead ball situations. Mattie was Donaghmore's top scorer in the junior final, scoring seven points and came to his teams rescue in the semi -final win over Bective with an impressive tally of 0-8. The talented attacker will surely be on the club's senior team next year.
Playing alongside Devine in the Ashbourne attack was Tony Morgan. The imposing Morgan had a great campaign on the edge of the square for Donaghmore. Most of their attacks were aimed at the number 14. Morgan was one of their key figures in the semi-final scoring three points and had the big man not gone off injured in the final against Ratoath, then the Ginnity Cup might be resting in the splendid Ashbourne club house.
Bryan McMahon was in superb form all year for Ratoath as they blazed their way to Championship and Tailteann Cup success. Davy Byrne's charges clocked up impressive scores on the way to championship success. Corner forward McMahon was central to most of these victories. From frees or play the skilful corner forward proved a handful for all defences. In the final McMahon scored eight points, four from play. Playing into the hospital end and with the game all square at 1-10 each Ratoath were awarded a free 30 yards out on the stand side. Despite all the pressure the number 13 slotted over the kick with ease and Ratoath went on to win. Like his team mate Cian O'Brien, McMahon must surely be on Mick O'Dowd's radar.
Other players that impressed us during the championship were Stephan Crosby (Drumconrath), Martin Lynch (Donaghmore Ashbourne), Marty Mulhall (Bective) and Gary Coyne (Cortown).
Our award goes to Ratoath's Bryan McMahon.
On Wednesday we will announce our Intermediate Club Hurler of the Year
Previous awards:
Awards: Senior Club Hurler of the Year
Awards: Minor Footballer of the Year
Awards: Senior Club Footballer of the Year Tweet
