Nine Colmcille players honoured on the Longford 2022 Team of the Championship

The voting process in the Leader has resulted in awards for nine Colmcille players, starting with goalkeeper Noel Farrell. The former county defender made a prominent transition into the new position in a shrewd change by the manager Mickey Harkin who also guided the north Longford club to the 2022 Division 1 senior league title in a tremendous season.

The vast experience of another ex-Longford player Declan Reilly was most influential in keeping things tight at the back and he was also instrumental in the effective role of the playmaker in creating numerous attacks throughout the championship campaign.

The other seven Colmcille players honoured are Ruairi Harkin (son of the Colmcille coach), the Macken brothers Enda and Jack along with Fergal Sheridan, Cathal McCabe, Vinny Hourican and Barry McKeon who will also be the recipients of Longford GAA All-Star Awards at the Gala Presentation Dinner in the Arms Hotel on Saturday night week, February 11.

There is some more good news for Colmcille as Declan Reilly and captain Jack Macken have been nominated for the 2022 County Senior Football Championship Player of the Year with David McGivney (Mullinalaghta) also on the shortlist for the major individual award.

The reigning champions St Columba’s let the Connolly Cup slip from their grasp with Colmcille snatching a last gasp winning goal from a penalty converted in cool fashion by their centre-half-back Ruairi Harkin.

Three other Mullinalaghta men feature on the 2022 Team of the Championship selection,  notably Patrick Fox, Gary Rogers and James McGivney who were all recognised for the big impact they made in last year’s championship.

Completing the 2022 Team of the Championship are Dromard duo Joseph Hagan and Francis McGee who were particularly prominent in the progress to the last four.

After defeating Killoe in the quarter-final, Dromard ran Mullinalaghta close at the penultimate stage in what was a promising championship campaign for Sean Hagan’s side.

Nominated in the 2022 Intermediate Player of the Year category are Jack Walsh (Ballymahon), Conor Keenan (Fr Manning Gaels) and Keelin McGann (Kenagh).

18-year-old Walsh emerged as one of the rising young stars and he made a big impact in the county final, registering a total of 1-4 as Ballymahon beat the Drumlish/Ballinamuck outfit in a dramatic finish.

Keenan was a key figure in attack for the Gaels while McGann clocked up a lot of scores for Kenagh who were most unlucky not to reach the Intermediate title decider.

Young Grattans, winners of the Junior Championship title for the first time since 2013, have  two of their main men - John Hand and Gerard Victory - nominated for the 2022 Junior Player of the Year award. Also on the shortlist for this accolade is Damien Monaghan, who featured for the beaten finalists Ballymore.

The outstanding Longford, Leinster and All-Ireland champions Longford Slashers dominated the voting process in the Ladies Football category with Clare Farrell, Orla Nevin and Grace Shannon nominated for this individual award.

Bart Hanley and Joe O’Brien made a major impact for Clonguish Gaels on their way to winning the county senior title for the first time since 2019 and joining them on the shortlist for the hurling player of the year award is Reuben Murray (Longford Slashers).

Team of the Championship 2022

Noel Farrell (Colmcille)

Patrick Fox (Mullinalaghta St Columba’s)

Enda Macken (Colmcille)

Gary Rogers (Mullinalaghta St Columba’s)

Declan Reilly (Colmcille)

Ruairi Harkin (Colmcille)

Joseph Hagan (Dromard)

Jack Macken (Colmcille)

Fergal Sheridan (Colmcille)

Cathal McCabe (Colmcille)

James McGivney (Mullinalaghta St Columba’s)

Vinny Hourican (Colmcille)

Barry McKeon (Colmcille)

David McGivney (Mullinalaghta St Columba’s)

Francis McGee (Dromard)

Senior Player of the Year Nominees

Senior Hurling Player of the Year Nominees

Bart Hanley (Clonguish Gaels)

Reuben Murray (Longford Slashers)

Joe O’Brien (Clonguish Gaels)

Intermediate Football Player of the Year Nominees

Conor Keenan (Fr Manning Gaels)

Keelin McGann (Kenagh)

Jack Walsh (Ballymahon)

Junior Football Player of the Year Nominees

John Hand (Young Grattans)

Damien Monaghan (Ballymore)

Gerard Victory (Young Grattans)

Ladies Football Player of the Year Nominees

Clare Farrell (Longford Slashers)

Orla Nevin (Longford Slashers)

Grace Shannon (Longford Slashers) 

2023 O’Byrne Cup medals presentation

At the same function the Longford senior footballers will receive their medals for winning the 2023 O’Byrne Cup, along with the presentation of the awards to the 2022 Longford GAA All Stars, and it promises to be a fantastic occasion.

Tickets €35 

Tickets for the 2022 Longford GAA All Stars Awards Night in the Longford Arms Hotel on Saturday 11 February are on sale, priced at €35 each. For further information contact the event organiser, Senator Michael Carrigy, 087-2915072.

Who will win the 2022 Players of the Year?

15 players have been selected by the readers of the Longford Leader for the 2022 Players of the Year and the five individual award winners, according to the completed voting process, will be announced at the Longford GAA All Stars function.