Meath Sports Awards... Ennis the corner-stone of Meath glory
When Meath won the All-Ireland MFC final back in 1992 and reached the final again a year later it heralded a new era that brought forward players of the calibre of Trevor Giles, Darren Fay, Paddy Reynolds and Ollie Murphy.
Last year Meath claimed the All-Ireland minor crown for the first time in 29 years and one name we are sure to hear a lot more of in the year's ahead is Conor Ennis.
A tenacious corner-back in the traditional tough, no-nonsense mold Ennis epitomised the hunger and determination of Cathal O Bric's Meath side as they shrugged off the underdogs tag in some style to claim the title with a 1-12 to 1-11 victory over Tyrone.
Ennis's tenacity and determination to put his head where others wouldn't dare put a boot to try to win possession for his team drew many admirers and he backed up that bravery with pace and panache as his surging runs from defence testify.
More often than not when Meath found themselves in trouble in any of their games on the journey to the All-Ireland title, invariably it was Ennis who emerged from a ruck with the ball, his close control and dancing feet taking him away from danger and setting Meath on another attack.
The Ballinabrackey man is almost a replica for a combination of Robbie O'Malley and Mark O'Reilly and the attributes of those men have formed the backbone of many great Meath sides.
Ennis's outstanding performances for Meath not only earned him a place on the Electric Ireland Minor Football Team of the Year, but he was also named as the Electric Ireland Minor Player of the Year - a testament to how crucial the corner-back was to Meath's cause.
The other seven Meath players named on the Team of the Year included Liam Kelly (Ratoath), Tomás Corbett (Ratoath), Shaun Leonard (St Colmcille's), Jack Kinlough (Dunboyne), Seán Emmanuel (St Patrick’s), Hughie Corcoran (Drumbaragh) and Oisín Ó Murchú (St Colmcille's).
Ennis ended the year on a high helping his club (combined with Clonard) to the u-20 C FC title.