Football Championship Team of the Week

This weeks Meath GAA App Football Team of the Week sees fifteen clubs represented and there are players from every grade on the team from Junior B to Senior after a thrilling weekend of action across all the grades.

1. Eoin Griffin (Clann na nGael) -Clann na nGael continued their impressive start to the Balreask Bar, Restaurant & Guest Accommodation JFC on Sunday when accounting for Syddan in Kilmainham. As he so often does, Eoin Griffin turned in a fine display in goals, which his quick kickouts a feature of the match. He was a steady and composed figure between the posts and is a rock upon which Clann na nGael can always depend on.
2. Luke Blake (St. Brigid’s) – The youngster from Ballinacree was something of a surprise inclusion at corner back for their local derby against Moylagh on Sunday and he more than justified the management teams decision as he turned in an excellent display. Luke’s ability to get vital blocks in was crucial while he was very effective in carrying the ball out of defence.
3. Ronan Ryan (Summerhill) – As he so often is, Ronan was Mr. Dependable on the edge of the square for Summerhill as they defeated Wolfe Tones. When the ‘Tones rained high balls in towards their full back line, Ronan marshalled everything expertly and helped to snuff out any danger.
4. John D Smith (Drumbaragh Emmets) – After their heavy defeat at the hands of Rathkenny in the opening round, many had chalked the two points for their game against Oldcastle to the side managed by Eastern Gaels clubman Jude McNabb. However, the players from Drumbaragh failed to read that particular script and few did more to ensure that Drumbaragh would come away with the win than sticky corner back John D Smith who was in top form on the evening.
5. Barry Bradley (Nobber) – Nobber came into the game against Longwood with many questioning if they would be good enough to claim victory. The North Meath men battled hard throughout showing great heart, work rate and resilience. Half back Barry Bradley played a crucial role in helping his team’s cause in both defence and attack. Showing a never say die attitude the tenacious defender helped drive Nobber to victory.
6. Niall Murphy (Curraha) – Curraha were another side to turn the tables on more fancied opponents at the weekend as they defeated Donaghmore/Ashbourne. Was excellent in defence and got up to assist James McEntee land the final point of the first half and then got on the end of a move he had been centrally involved in earlier to score the vital third goal. An excellent performance.
7. Josh Carolan (Simonstown Gaels) – When the chips were down late on against St. Peter’s Dunboyne it was Carolan who grabbed the game and made something happen. In stoppage time Josh received the ball deep inside his own half, embarked on a solo in before exchanging passes and then delivered a pin point long ball into Padraig McKeever who scored the all important goal. This capped a fine display where his defensive nous helped limit a dangerous Dunboyne attack.
8. Padraic Harnan – (Moynalvey) – The county centre back has brought his impressive form through from the Tailteann Cup to the club championship. Padraic was in outstanding form throughout for Moynalvey as they claimed a vital draw against St. Colmcille’s in Skryne. The driving force of the team.
9. Rian McConnell (Castletown) – The youngster continues to improve and Rian enjoyed an excellent performance at midfield once more in Kilmainhamwood on Saturday evening.  With the loss of some of the more experienced members of the team since they won the Leinster IFC title last December, Rian has taken on more responsibility around the middle and appears to be thriving on it.  As is the norm, he also contributed handsomely on the scoreboard.
10. Tristan O’Neill (Bective) – Tristan, one of Bective’s young guns, used his pace and height on the wing to win plenty of primary possession but it was his carries into enemy territory and positional instinct in front of goal when he fired to the net that stood out from the pack.
11. Ruairí Kinsella (Dunshaughlin) – The 2022 Young Footballer of the Year showcased all of his abilities as he pulled the strings in attack for Dunshaughlin.  Ruairí had the Na Fianna defence in bother throughout and helped himself to 1-03, all of which came from play.  Richie Kealy will be hoping Ruairí can continue in this vein of form for the remainder of the Championship.
12. Thomas O’Reilly (Wolfe Tones) – Summerhill are a hard team to beat when you have a full compliment of players on the pitch but on Sunday Wolfe Tones found themselves down to fourteen men for more than three quarters of the game.  One man who stood up throughout the hour for the ‘Tones was Thomas O’Reilly who was a constant threat in attack.  He finished the match with five points, three of which came from play in a fine performance.
13. Rian Stafford (Kilmainhamwood) – The ‘Wood might have a small playing pool but they have had some bright talents coming through in recent seasons and one of these shone very brightly on Sunday when Rian Stafford proved too hot for Cortown to handle in Nobber.  The eighteen year old was a constant threat throughout and his deadly accuracy from frees meant that any indiscretions from Cortown were punished.
14. Bryan McMahon (Ratoath) – Turned in his best display in quite a while on Sunday evening as he ran the Skryne defence ragged.  Was a constant menace and finished up with 3-05 to his name.  There is not a full back in the county who would look forward to marking Bryan McMahon when he is in that kind of form.
15. Aaron Lynch (Trim) – Struggled at times in the opening half to shrug off the attentions of the Seneschalstown defence but came out in the second period like somebody who had a drink of ‘Felix Felicis’ rather than water in the dressing room.  In that second half Aaron was unmarkable and kicked points from a variety of angles and distances as well as brilliantly converting a penalty.