PJ Leddy reviews Leitrim's sporting highs and lows from 2022

and in the Observer sports department, we're no different! Or maybe we know what works as we return with our popular sports review of 2022 over the next few weeks.

Like last year, we've asked some of the county's brightest sports stars to look back over the last 12 months along with some of those journalists on the sports beat around the county.

Journalist PJ Leddy takes a look back at the highs and lows of the 2022 Leitrim sporting year.

Willie Donnellan’s highs and lows of Leitrim’s sporting year

Highlight of the Year

St. Mary's Kiltoghert's dramatic comeback to claim their first Senior county title since 2013 was one of the key 2022 sports moments in the county. Down five points to Mohill with 15 minutes to go, Mary's dug deep after that to pip their opponents in a welter of excitement at the death.

Lowlight of the Year

When Shane Moran's legitimate goal was disallowed in the first period of extra-time by referee Maurice Deegan, following consultations with his umpires, a Tailteann Cup semi-final place was denied to Leitrim. Had this score been allowed the game probably wouldn't have gone to penalties.

With the controversy over the staging of the World Cup in Qatar, what’s your view on the role of sport and politics/ social issues – should they mix? Should they be kept separate?

The staging of the World Cup in Qatar occurred through cooperative corruption on the part of FIFA and Qatar. As a result all others, including soccer and sport in general, became victims of this corruption, and to some degree allowed it to happen even though supporters didn't approve of what was a Machiavellian decision on FIFA and Qatar's part. The World Cup should not have taken place in Qatar.

Conor Farrell reflects on an amazing year for St Mary's Kiltoghert

Personality of the Year

Portaferry's Ciara Mageean is my choice after winning a Commonwealth Games silver medal in Birmingham and another silver medal on August 19 at the Munich European Championships before breaking Sonia O'Sullivan Irish 1500m record of 3:58.85, when winning the 1500m in 3.56.63 at the Diamond League on September 2 in Brussels.

Team of the Year

Glencar Manorhamilton Ladies who claimed a three in a row of Leitrim LGFA Senior A titles in October with a clear cut victory over Ballinamore Sean O'Heslin's, a remarkable rise for the north Leitrim club.

What are the big challenges facing Leitrim sport in 2023

Challenges facing Leitrim sport in 2023 include – population decline making it difficult for rural GAA clubs and other sports clubs to field a team or teams; getting volunteers to take charge in all sports clubs is a big challenge; some sports grounds and playing pitches; etc. need to be upgraded and providing the necessary finance for this is almost impossible; nurturing sporting talent for potential to be realised.

Person that made me go wow in 2022

When Donegal’s Amber Barrett drove through the Scottish defence in Glasgow last October to coolly score a match winning goal to send the Irish women's team through to a first ever World Cup finals, there was added poignancy when Barrett dedicated her strike to the Creeslough explosion victims.

John Lynch looks back over 2022 Sporting Year

Not a fan of penalty shootouts, John Lynch is a fan of Katie!

One thing I’d do to make sport better in 2023

While it is good news to see the playing surface and seating in Avant Money Páirc Seán Mac Diarmada upgraded in 2023, what the famed ground now needs is the installation of flood lighting so that night time games can be played there in the future.

One to watch in 2023

Fenagh St Caillins - although it won’t be easy with defending champions St Mary’s Kiltoghert, Mohill, Leitrim Gaels and Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins all strong contenders, I think Fenagh are the team to watch in 2023 as they seek to win their first SFC title since 1932.

Check out next week's Observer for the final part of our sporting review of the year from Niall Morahan, Muireann Devaney, Gerard O’Donnell and Michelle Guckian.