Meath Sports Awards - JUNE winner NICK FITZGERALD
The countdown is on for the Meath Chronicle Sportsperson of the Year awards with the 13th annual ceremony scheduled for its traditional home at Knightsbrook Hotel, Trim next Friday evening.
TICKETS
You can still buy tickets as there is limited availability - If you wish to attend contact Linda Cahill in the Meath Chronicle by Wednesday - linda.cahill@meathchronicle.ie or the Ticketline at (046) 9079654 - 10am - 2pm - Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday.
The overall 2019 Sportsperson of the Year will be selected from the monthly winners who will each be honoured on the night in recognition of their specific achievements during 2019.
The 2019 Sportsperson of the Year awards will be hosted by RTE’s Evanne Ni Chuilinn.
The list of contenders is listed at the end of this article and in this piece the focus is on June winner - Meath hurling manager Nick Fitzgerald
NICK FITZGERALD
Waterford native Nick Fitzgerald plotted a way back to the Joe McDonagh Cup for 2020 for Meath hurlers when he guided them to the Christy Ring Cup title against Down in the final at Croke Park in June.
Following a disappointing 2018 that saw Meath relegated from the Joe McDonagh Cup in the championship there was immense pressure on Fitzgerald to get Meath back up to that level again by winning the Christy Ring Cup.
After a decent NHL Div 2A campaign where Meath held their own and avoided the relegation scrap they turned their sights on the Christy Ring Cup and an immediate return to the Tier 2HC.
That final in Croke Park was a cracking contest with goals from Adam Gannon (two), Nicky Potterton and Calum O'Sullivan boosting Fitzgerald's side to glory with a 4-19 to 2-15 win.
NICK AND HIS WIFE ANGELA AT THE MEATH GAA AWARDS NIGHT
Following the successful campaign the popular Kildalkey clubman stepped down from his role at the helm due to work commitments, but he remains involved in local GAA with his club.
MONTHLY WINNERS
January - Gavin Kennedy (Ashbourne RFC); February - Shane Aston (Trim AC); March - Ger Lyons (horseracing), Andy McEntee (GAA); Keith Donoghue (horseracing), Gavin Cromwell (horseracing), April - Ray Moloney (Navan RFC), Gordon Elliott (horseracing); May - Eamonn Murray (GAA); June - Nick Fitzgerald (GAA); July - Donal Keogan (GAA); August - Colin Keane (horseracing); September - Brian Carroll & Gary McConnell (handball); October - Cian Carey (motorsport); November - Mary Watters (athletics); December - Alan Murphy (Trim Celtic).
OTHER AWARDS
Other awards that will be presented include
Team of the Year - Na Fianna Camogie (voted by Meath Chronicle readers)
Outstanding Achievement Male - Jack Regan (voted by Meath Chronicle readers)
Outstanding Achievement Female - Natalya Coyle (voted by Meath Chronicle readers)
Young Sportsperson of the Year - TBA on the night (selected by Meath Chronicle)
There will be some Facebook live from the Knightsbrook next Friday night.