Devine takes his place in Meath GAA Hall of Fame

Achievements on and off the field were recognised at the Meath GAA awards at the Newgrange Hotel, Navan on Friday night with Dunderry's popular and well-known official Jack Devine receiving a well deserved Hall of Fame award. The event was attended by the chairman of the Leinster Council Martin Skelly and attracted a big turnout of people from various clubs throughout the county. Among those to be honoured were the Meath hurlers who started off the year in a promising fashion by winning the Kehoe Cup in February. They travelled down to Arklow for the final and emerged with a 0-16 to 1-11 victory with captain Stephen Clynch leading the way. Later in the year another group of Meath hurlers claimed a piece of silverware when the All-Ireland MHC B title was won with Roscommon defeated 2-12 to 0-10 in the final at the Downs GAA ground in August. The Leinster Council chairman Skelly added that he always enjoys visiting Pairc Tailteann for games as he gets a real Royal County welcome every time while the pitch is also usually in perfect condition. He wished all the Meath teams the best of luck in 2012. The choice of Devine as the recipient of the 'hall of fame' proved to be well received. Devine received his honour for his services to the GAA in Dunderry specifically and Meath generally. A bouquet of flowers were presented to Mary Devine, Jack's daughter. Among those to speak was the secretary of Coiste Fé 18 Michael Mullally. He spoke about the work that is been done to improve the standards of hurling in the county. He added that it was pleasing for all involved or with an interest, in the development of the game, in Meath to see two teams win silverware. He also thanked the Co Committee for all their help during the course of the year and he reiterated how the hurling fraternity received all they had asked for from Pairc Tailteann. Chairman of the Hurling Committee Francis Lynch thanked all those involved in helping Meath teams achieve success at provincial and national levels as well as the work of officials Anthony Monaghan and PRO Ann Kearney. Lynch also thanked the clubs who hosted games in the various championships and the referees who took charge of matches. Co Committee chairman Barney Allen thanked all those who attended the awards night especially the Leinster Council chairman and his wife. He thanked all those involved in running clubs in both hurling and football during the year, players, officials, referees and the members of the members of the various sub-committees for their work at all levels. He extended his congratulations to the teams that won leagues and championships at all levels. He also thanked the administration staff at Pairc Tailteann Tara, Gillian, Jackie and Paula. The list of award winners is: Hall of Fame - Jack Devine; Footballer of the Year - Shane McAnarney (Clann na nGael); Young Footballer of the Year - Anthony Forde (Moynalvey); Hurler of the Year - Derek Doran (Kildalkey); Young Hurler of the Year - Conor Murray (Gaeil Colmcille); Club of the Year - Kildalkey; Best Ground of the Year - Navan O'Mahonys; Referee of the Year - Colm McManus (Gaeil Colmcille); Most Improved Referee of the Year - Stephen Masterson (Boardsmill).