Sports Review of the Year - Muireann Devaney (Soccer & Ladies Football)

Highlight of the year
Personally for myself, it was a great year both on the Gaelic and soccer fields there were many highlights I could have chosen.
This year’s success with Athlone Town who are only in their third season of the National league is without doubt to the fore on my list of highlights but definitely it was a massive honour at 19 years of age to captain my club team for the three in a row senior county championships with the girls I grew up, my best friends, my many cousins, my auntie and of course my sister. Captaincy it’s something I have always dreamed of but I definitely did not think it would come as early as it did.
I went to London last spring to support the Leitrim senior Men in Ruislip. The crowds, the atmosphere, the football on display and the welcome received from the London Irish was second to none. I would recommend this trip to any Leitrim supporter and I look forward to the events of Gaelic park in New York this April.

Lowlight of the year
Appearing in the FAI Cup final in Tallaght could easily have been chosen as a highlight but the result that day was definitely a low light in the year the performance wasn’t a true reflection of the team and when I look back, it’s definitely a missed opportunity.

One thing to make sport better
Travelling to training in south Leitrim for the north Leitrim based players with the County is certainly an issue which I have heard discussed on several occasions by my teammates. I know girls from Manorhamilton and surrounding areas who might come from college in Galway or Dublin on a Friday evening and then have to take on a 100km round trip to train.
I understand we can’t train in north Leitrim all the time but the effort must be made to share the travelling. This in turn will attract more players of a high calibre to the county team.

Team of the year
The Irish women’s team definitely deserve team of the year. It’s not so long since they were embroiled in a fight for equality in pay and fairness deal. Qualifying for the upcoming World Cup in Australia is a phenomenal culmination of their hard work and dedication to their sport.
The players and their manager Vera have without doubt inspired the younger generation of boys and girls .

Event that made me go wow in 2022
I think Argentina and France gave everyone a World Cup final to remember it had absolutely everything and left the world with a huge feel good factor towards soccer. This event on the world stage was undoubtedly the event of the year and add to it the performances of the king himself MESSI, the World Cup was my 2022 Wow event and personality.

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?
One of the most powerful things about sport is it’s ability to bring people together. People of diverse political religious and cultural backgrounds. The beautiful game was engulfed in controversy during the World Cup in Qatar and while huge humanitarian issues were highlighted and debated there is no doubt the football was not compromised. The entertainment brought at the unusual time of December was top notch.

Muireann Devaney (fourth from right) celebrates with her Glencar Manorhamilton teammates after their victory in the Gotham Dry Wall LGFA Senior A Championship Final last October

What are the big challenges facing Leitrim sport in 2023?
There are always challenges In sport and always will be. Emigration is the curse of the rural clubs and towns. Unfortunately, this isn’t something we can influence as it’s a problem created by economic circumstances. lack of funding and the need for constant fundraising can be a challenge for clubs, especially in difficult economic times like these when the cost of living is so high.
Trying to encourage volunteerism is always difficult and sometimes filling positions can be an insurmountable challenge. However, I think it’s important to overcome these challenges and look on the bright side. In my own house I see the positives of sport and I think all effort should be made to encourage sport in our schools.
While doing the Leaving Cert last year, I found having sport as an outlet and a great way to clear the head and ensure wellbeing during such a stressful time.
St Clare's Comprehensive school is at the forefront in promotion of sport among their student body. Boasting a staff of former county and club managers and players it is certainly blazing a trail for sport in north Leitrim.
Sport is a common interest among many age groups often bringing generations together to support. Never more evident when I see my granddad on the sideline of every game.

One to watch
I’m gonna stay local again this year - Jack Kelly gets the nod from me. He’s extremely talented in both Soccer and Gaelic. Jack's a joy to watch; he emulates some of the great skills of the legend David Clifford. I’ve no doubt Jack will be one of the best to ever line out in the saffron and blue of Glencar Manorhamilton.