Published: Wednesday, 20th January, 2010 4:46pm

Overdue recognition for Longwood club

by Fergal Lynch

At the presentation of the Meath Chronicle / Cusack Hotels Outstanding Sports Achievement award to Longwood GAA club were Jimmy Geoghegan (left) from the Meath Chronicle, George Stagg (Longwood GAA club), Micheal O Muircheartaigh, PJ Stenson (Longwood GAA club) and Alan McEntee (Cusack Hotel Group).
Pic by==: 97

The exclamation of joy and excitement that erupted at the Meath Chronicle / Cusack Hotels Sports Personality-of-the-Year awards at Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim on Friday would have told a story to a deaf man. Longwood GAA club were announced as the winner of the Outstanding Achievement award by Micheal O Muircheartaigh.

As representatives of the three nominees, PJ Stenson and George Stagg from Longwood, Geraldine Sheridan and Eamonn Murray for the Meath u-16 girls team and Peter Dempsey's mother Michelle, all held their collective breaths during the popular RTE commentators build-up to the announcement, there was a fear someone would pass out.

When Longwood was announced from the top of the room by O Muircheartaigh, the gasps of happiness that were expelled by the Longwood congregation could probably be heard back in the tiny south Meath village.

It was a fitting reward for a small, rural club that achieved so much during a magnificent 2009.

Longwood GAA club enjoyed one of the most memorable years in their long history. They claimed the IHC with a victory over Blackhall Gaels in the final at Pairc Tailteann. That success set the standard for the footballers who followed up by clinching the Matthew Ginnity Cup for the Meath JFC.

Dunsany were negotiated in that final, but that wasn't the end of the adventure for manager Mark McDonagh and his gallant team. They duly embarked on their quest for the Leinster Club JFC crown and steadily worked their way to the final where they defeated Louth side St Mochta's after two highly entertaining games.

Now the possibility of a place in the All-Ireland Club JFC final at Croke Park is just one step away as Longwood will face Kerry junior champions Castlegregory at the Gaelic Grounds, Limerick next Sunday. So it was with no surprise that when O Muircheartaigh welcomed Stenson and Stagg to the stage to collect their award that his attention turned to that game.

Initially, the Kerry commentator tried to put the Longwood men off guard by declaring that they hadn't a chance against Castlegregory, but then he offered the Meath champions hope suggesting (incorrectly) that the Kerry men will be missing five lads due to suspensions.

Stenson admitted that he personally hadn't seen a video of what Castlegregory are capable of, but O Muircheartaigh suggested that others in the club know plenty about the Kerry men.

Speaking about winning the Meath Chronicle / Cusack Hotels award both of the Longwood representatives were delighted.

"It is a great honour to win this award. We have had a great year and it was brilliant for a club like ours to do so well. However, we are not finished yet and it would be great to end the campaign with a trip to Croke Park," said Stenson.

O Muircheartaigh tried to add further fright to the Longwood men by recalling the nickname of some of the more famous Castlegrogory players. 'Aeroplane' O'Shea was one name that O Muircheartaigh referred to, but Stenson replied, "not to worry, we've a few aeroplanes ourselves."

In the weeks leading up to last Friday's awards function there was massive voting by Meath Chronicle readers for all 13 candidates in the Outstanding Achievement category with Longwood, the Meath girls u-16 team and Dempsey selected as the final three nominees from a list that included Moynalvey athlete Sarah Treacy, Kells golfer Damien McGrane, Moynalvey's Leinster rugby player Devin Toner, Ratoath swimmer James Scully, Seneschalstown's SFC-winning manager Damien Sheridan, Navan Road Club, Seneschalstown Ladies GFC, jockey Nina Carberry, Rathfeigh showjumper Cian O'Connor and Castletown trainer Noel Meade who won the award last year.

The Meath girls u-16 team enjoyed a magnificent year putting Meath ladies football back on the map by claiming the All-Ireland title with a stunning victory over Donegal in Tarmonbarry. Coached by Boardsmill's Eamonn Murray, Meath were the all-conquering side in Leinster and looked very good throughout the entire campaign.

Having defeated Cork in a thrilling semi-final, Meath faced an outstanding Donegal side and needed to be at their very best to ensure Bridgetta Lynch lifted the cup following a pulsating contest.

Ashbourne driver Peter Dempsey may have been out of sight when competing on the American motor racing scene, but he was by no means out of mind in our readers consideration.

The Meath man was a leading driver for the Juncos Racing team in the Star Mazda Championship and going into the final event he was on course for claiming a remarkable outright victory.

However, in the final race he was shunted from behind and fell down the field. He did battle back up to ninth, but with his nearest competitor for outright honours claiming the victory Dempsey had to settle for second place, which itself was no mean feat.

The Ashbourne man was unable to attend the event on Friday as he had returned to the USA last week for the new season and was represented by his mother, Michelle.

Ultimately, the honour of the Outstanding Achievement Award went to Longwood GAA club who will be bidding to keep the good run going next Sunday.

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