Sports Review of the Year - May: ... Trim Celtic march to provincial glory
MAY REVIEW
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The Trim Celtic players celebrate with the Leinster Junior Cup after defeating Gorey Rangers. David MullenImage 2 of 12
There was disappointment for Meath’s Oisín O’Neill and Rory Crawley as they exited the Leinster MFC race at the hands of Kildare. Gerry ShanahanImage 3 of 12
The Meath players celebrate with the Peadar O Liathain Cup after defeating Carlow in the final. David MullenImage 4 of 12
Meath goalkeeper Tara Murphy made a string of sensational saves during the Leinster Senior Camogie Championship against Dublin. Gerry ShanahanImage 5 of 12
The Meath Ladies were given a guard of honour by Duleek-Bellewstown players before the Leinster SFC final in Portlaoise. Gerry ShanahanImage 6 of 12
Grace Coleman offloads possession during Meath’s comfortable Leinster Intermediate Camogie Championship win over Laois in Trim. Gerry ShanahanImage 7 of 12
Meath GAA steward Michael Bennett waits to welcome the players onto Pairc Tailteann for the first Tailteann Cup game against Tipperary. David MullenImage 8 of 12
A headless athlete stretches before the Navan Town Centre 6k Road Race. David MullenImage 9 of 12
Members of the Navan Whites pictured with Leeds Utd legends Johnny Giles and Paul Reaney. David MullenImage 10 of 12
Competitors in the 2023 Ras Tailteann approach the race start line at Bective Stud on the Trim-Navan Road. David MullenImage 11 of 12
Meath and Walterstown legends Paddy and Pat Reynold with ghost writer Jimmy Geoghegan at the launch of their memoirs. Gerry ShanahanImage 12 of 12
Trim Celtic’s Brian Faulkner powers a header goalwards during the Leinster Junior Cup final against Gorey Rangers at Home Farm. David MullenDown the decades Meath haven't played Tipperary all that often in football championship games but they did in May 2023. Colm O'Rourke's side kicked off their Tailteann Cup campaign with a 1-19 to 0-11 victory over the Premier County at Pairc Tailteann. Meath were hoping to avoid falling into the Tailteann Cup but once there they there they were clearly willing to give it everything. Aaron Lynch marked his senior championship debut for Meath with 1-3 while Jordan Morris hit four points. It was a pretty decent start for Meath although many Meath supporters were not all that enamoured in the team taking part in the B competition.
It was down to Waterford next for Colm O'Rourke's team. After a edgy, nervy opening half display Meath were much better after the break and powered on to the expected victory. It was convincing at the end, 3-17 to 1-14 Mathew Costello, Jordan Morris (penalty) and Donal Lenihan scoring the goals.
The Meath minor footballers meanwhile struggled in the Leinster, losing to Kildare, 0-12 to 0-13 and ending their campaign in disappointment.
There was little to cheer about when it came to the county's women footballers also. Davy Nelson's side were comprehensively defeated 0-9 to 2-9 by Dublin at Portlaoise in the Leinster SFC final. "We know it is not good enough," the manager said afterwards.
In camogie Meath didn't make the best of starts in the Leinster Senior Camogie Championship. Brendan Skehan's side lost 1-7 to 1-22 to a polished Dublin side at Trim. Despite what the scoreline might suggest Meath goalkeeper Tara Murphy had a brilliant display making a string of quality stops.
There was more positive return for Meath in the All-Ireland Intermediate Championship. Much more positive. They trounced Laois 6-19 to 2-3 Aoife Minogue helping herself to a hat-trick of goals
Meath minor hurlers had their share of ups and downs, setback and triumphs during the summer months but one of their good days arrived when they defeated Carlow 1-9 to 1-22 in the Peadar O Liathain Cup final at Pairc Tailteann. Trim's talented young player Kyle Ennis showed the way for the Royals with 11 points, six frees.
Former Shamrock Rovers players Robbie Horgan has done wonders taking charge of Trim Celtic but surely his highpoint so far was guiding the team to victory in the Leinster Junior Cup. The Hoops defeated Gorey Rangers 1-0 in the final the golden goal scored by Brian Faulkner despite having THREE players sent off. In the action-jammed closing minutes Trim Celtic goalkeeper Conor Gilsenan also saved a penalty.