Hurling Championship Team of the Week

The Meath GAA App Hurling Team of the Week sees players selected from three different grades of Championship action with a spread of clubs represented in what was a very difficult team to select.

1. Gary McGovern (Gaeil Colmcille) – In what was a very tight game against Boardsmill on Friday evening, Gary McGovern proved to be a match winner between the posts for the Kells side. He pulled off a couple of excellent saves which helped ensure the team came away with a much-needed victory in the JM Food Services IHC.
2. Ciaran O’Rourke (Trim) – Helped limit the influence of the dangerous Kildalkey attack on what was his return to the team following a long injury lay off. A tigerish defender, his return was well timed following the emigration of Ger Dwane and Conor Quigley.
3. Podge Muldoon (Kilskyre/Moylagh) – Used all of his experience to great effect on Thursday evening as Kilskyre/Moylagh overturned Trim to move onto eight points in the group after four games. Might not possess the turn of pace he once did but makes up for it with excellent positional sense and game reading ability.
4. Brendan McKeon (Kildalkey) – Was one of the shining lights for Kildalkey on what was a disappointing day. Showcased all of his defensive nous to quell a number of Trim attacks and was one of the leading lights for the Nick Fitzgerald side on what was a disappointing day for the team.
5. Darragh Connell (Navan O’Mahonys) – Rathmolyon were fancied by many to pick up another win on Sunday but Navan O’Mahonys had other ideas and they turned in a powerful team performance to overturn the men from The Village. Central to that victory was the performance at wing back of Darragh Connell who capped a brilliant showing with a personal haul of four points.
6. Ross Kerrigan (Longwood) – The team captain led by example in their victory over Dunderry as he anchored the defence expertly from centre half back. Never gave his direct opponent an inch and chipped in with a point in the course of their victory.
7. Danny Muldoon (Gaeil Colmcille) – Had an incredible game for the Kells side, time and time again stopping Boardsmill attacks and driving Gaeil Colmcille forward for the hour and chipped in with a valuable point. Even in the rapidly declining light, his performance lit up the game.
8. Padraig O’Hanrahan (Ratoath) – One of the best free takers in the county, Padraig punished any disciplinary indiscretions by Na Fianna on Sunday as he landed a personal haul of fourteen points. Was also an effective link man and caused Na Fianna issues with his elusive movement throughout the game in Páirc Tailteann.
9. David Murtagh (Trim) – A typically industrious performance as he got through a mountain of work in their victory over Kildakey and chipped in with a goal and a point. Not one of the teams most heralded performers but he continues to be a key player for them.
10. Darragh O’Sullivan (Donaghmore/Ashbourne) – Two weeks ago, it was his younger brother who got on Team of the Week but this time around it’s the older brother who takes a place on the team. Darragh was immense against St. Peter’s Dunboyne, and he kept the scoreboard ticking over throughout.  His importance to the team cannot be overstated.
11. Tom Shine (Kilskyre/Moylagh) – Racked up a personal haul of 2-07 for Kilskyre/Moylagh in their victory over Trim. The county panellist was at his best as he turned in an accomplished performance.  Will be pivotal as they look to make a bid for outright honours in the IHC.
12. Paddy Skehan (Navan O’Mahonys) – The wily veteran contributed all bar 1-01 of O’Mahonys total tally of 1-12 in their K Windows & Doors J2HC game against Dunderry last week. Brought all his experience to the table and as well as being metronomic from placed balls, chipped in with a few points from play.
13. Willie McGrath (Kilskyre/Moylagh) – Got the game off to the best possible start for Kilskyre/Moylagh when netting a goal in the first minute and this set the tone for a blistering performance from McGrath. Ended up with a tally of 2-06 in what was one of the performances of the weekend.
14. Ryan Moore (Longwood) – Having missed the start of the football game a week previously, Ryan Moore was there from the start against Dunderry, and he was a constant menace as Longwood pulled off a crucial victory. Picked off three points from play and was excellent throughout the hour.
15. Gavin McGowan (Ratoath) – He may have only had a relatively brief cameo on the pitch in Navan on Sunday but what a cameo it was. Gavin was a late introduction to the starting line up as Bobby O’Brien got waylaid on his return from Italy thanks to a delayed flight.  But Gavin made the most of the opportunity to start and took flight himself as he scored two of the best goals that will be seen in the venue all year and added a further brace of points.