Sports Review of 2022 - Niall Morahan (Soccer)

Highlight of the Year
Personally, beating Scottish Premiership side Motherwell in the European Conference league second round was a special moment for me. Beating a team of that stature, both home and away, in front of large support, made the occasion unforgettable.

Lowlight of the Year
Coming out on the wrong side of a heavy defeat away to Viking FC in Norway, in the third round of the European Conference league. Two early goals from the home side were hard to bounce back from and we never really got going.

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?
Ideally, they should be kept separate, but unfortunately sport doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Political and social issues shape all sports and influence athletes and supporters alike. I think more responsibility should fall on governing bodies and sponsors, rather than on teams and individuals whose influence is small, but whose careers can suffer as a result.
These organisations should be listening to grassroots, highlighting social injustices and demanding high standards. Sadly, FIFA most recently have turned a blind eye, but others have also done so in the past

Personality of the Year
A fellow Leitrim native, Ricky Wynne. Breaking the world record for the most vertical metres ascended and descended in 24 hours by running up and down Croagh Patrick 15 times, was a remarkable achievement. He did tell us last year that he was one to watch in 2022!

What are the big challenges facing Leitrim sport in 2023?
Definitely the training facilities and pitches over the winter months. The upgrading of existing facilities and the progression of the regional sports centre are badly needed.

Person that made me go wow in 2022?
Lionel Messi winning the World Cup. It felt like Messi was rolling back the years, producing some amazing performances, as he was fighting for the trophy that had evaded him for so long. Delighted to see him win it. One of the greatest players ever.

Team of the Year
Definitely the Irish women's football team. Qualifying for their first-ever FIFA Women's World Cup finals is an amazing feat and something that really impressed me this year. A massive step for women's football in this country.

One thing I’d do to make sport better in 2023?
I think soccer needs to take a leaf out of rugby’s book. Communication on major decisions between VAR and the referee needs to be heard in real time.

One to watch in 2023
Muireann Devaney is my choice here. She can build on her fantastic season with Athlone Town FC and her call-up to the national senior training camp….. a big year ahead!