Sports Review of the Year - January:... Bright start to new year for Royal troops
JANUARY REVIEW
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Shane Hoey fires goalwards during Castletown’s All-Ireland Club JFC semi-final against Kerry kingpins Fossa. David MullenImage 2 of 12
Action from the Cross-Country championships.Image 3 of 12
After a bright start Meath’s Kehoe Cup ambitions were dented by Carlow. Gerry ShanahanImage 4 of 12
Scoil Mhuire’s Emma Hanifin with Mia Brady of Loreto in action during the Leinster schools SFC final at Dunganny. Gerry ShanahanImage 5 of 12
Ashbourne picked up the Jenkinstown Cup. David MullenImage 6 of 12
Cillian O’Sullivan scored a goal during Meath’s O’Byrne Cup victory over Laois. Gerry ShanahanImage 7 of 12
There was a huge crowd in Portlaoise for the All-Ireland Club JFC semi-final between Meath’s Castletown and Kerry’s Fossa. David MullenImage 8 of 12
Eamonn Murray was crowned Meath Chronicle Sportsperson of the Year after guiding Meath Ladies to a second successive All-Ireland SFC title in 2022. David MullenImage 9 of 12
Meath ladies defence of their NFL Div 1 title got off to a disappointing start with a loss away to Dublin. David MullenImage 10 of 12
Celebration time in Dunganny for Loreto Navan after the Ladies Leinster Schools SFC final. Gerry ShanahanImage 11 of 12
Boyne CS Trim captain Padraig Walsh received the Leinster Colleges JHC C Shield after the final victory over Lucan. David MullenImage 12 of 12
Evan Ferguson’s new year got off to a great start with Brighton & Hove Albion.New year, new era, new ways of doing things. Colm O'Rourke kicked-started his first year as manager of the Meath football team with a flurry of O'Byrne Cup games in January.
O'Rourke brought his team down to Carlow for a midweek match which they won, 0-16 to 1-9. That was followed by a 2-10 to 0-16 victory over Laois.
The team's interest in the competition ended when they could only draw with Longford at Ashbourne when a victory was required.
At the end of the month the serious stuff really started when O'Rourke's charges kick-started their NFL Div 2 campaign with an encouraging, 3-14 to 0-19, over Cork, Shane Walsh, Jordan Morris and O'Sullivan finding the net.
There was a new start also for the senior hurlers under their new manager - Seoirse Bulfin. Wicklow were defeated 0-18 to 1-11 in the Kehoe Cup. That was followed up by a landslide victory over Down, 2-24 to 1-16.
However any ambitions they had of winning the Kehoe Cup ended when they lost to Carlow (2-14 to 2-22) and Kildare (2-24 to 0-18). The new reign had started in earnest.
Another manager who opened up a new chapter was Davy Nelson. He started his first year as the new manager of the ladies team. His charges, however, suffered a 0-8 to 1-11 defeat by Dublin under the lights at DCU in the National League.
The Royals then travelled to Donegal and won 1-7 to 0-5, Mary Kate Lynch scoring a sensational goal.
On the club front Castletown began the year with the small matter of an All-Ireland Club JFC semi-final against a Fossa side that included a true prince of footballers - David Clifford.
The Meath side were rank outsiders when they teams met in Portlaoise. That reality didn't stop Castletown people travelling en masse for the game which the Kerry side won 3-14 to 0-11. There was no arguments. Getting to the semi-final had turned out to be a memorable adventure for Aidan Young's side. What a blast.
On the soccer front another Evan Ferguson announced his arrival on the big stage on New Year's Day when he scored his first Premier League goal for Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Bettystown teenager, who had come on as a substitute, stroked the ball past Arsenal's Aaron Ramsey in the 77th minute at the Amex Stadium. A few days later Ferguson underlined his talent when he marked his first Premier League start by scoring against Everton at Goodison Park. He was on his way.
Back in the local arena Ashbourne marked the start of the new year in the best possible way by claiming a trophy, the Jenkinson Cup.
They defeated North Meath 25-5 at Balreask Old. There was compensation for the North Meath club the following week as their first team took the Leinster League Div 3 title.
Jockey Davy Russell who had previously announced his retirement returned to action in Fairyhouse and while he had no winners at the venue he did partner Gordon Elliott's Sa Fureur to a maiden hurdle in Punchestown the next day at odds of 3/1.
At schools level Boyne Community School won the u-16 Leinster Schools Hurling C title, while Loreto Navan put in a top class display to defeat Scoil Mhuire, Trim 6-4 to 2-7.
At the Meath Chronicle Sports Awards, former Meath Ladies team manager Eamonn Murray won the 'Sportsperson of the Year' award having led Meath to All-Ireland glory.