World Cup disappointment and hope for Ireland's rugby future features in Gerard Murtagh's sporting review of 2023

We're back to that time of the year where we look back and look forward at the same time 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 2023 over the next few weeks.

The Leitrim Observer invited some of the county's outstanding sports people and journalists to look back over 2023, picking out their highs and lows. Here is the first part of our look back on an exciting and action packed year

In this piece, Ireland underage rugby international and Leitrim Minor footballer Gerard Murtagh looks back over 2023 with Ireland’s disappointment at the World Cup featuring heavily in his thoughts along with his admiration for Irish sprint star Rhasidat Adeleke and his fellow Carrick rugby international Diarmuid O’Connell.

Big wins for Carrick RFC underage squads

Here, in Gerard’s own words, are the highs and lows of the 2023 Sporting year.

HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR

My highlight of 2023 is when I got my cap for the under 18.5 Irish clubs/schools team in early April. After my first year competing in the Interpro's with Connacht I wasn't selected for the Irish team who were set to play Italy away, and I wasn't sure if I had missed my opportunity. However a few months later when the rematch was set, I received an email inviting me to attend one of the training camps. This was an extremely proud moment for me to wear that green jersey especially having my family watch on. 

LOWLIGHT OF THE YEAR

Irish rugby took a bit of a hit in 2023 when our team got knocked out in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals. We were all disappointed because we had high hopes, but we were up against  tough opponents. The loss left us fans feeling disheartened, making us realise how unpredictable sports can be. It was a tough pill to swallow, but it got the team thinking. They took some time to reflect, figure out what went wrong, and now they're gearing up for the future with a fresh determination to compete on the global  stage. 

PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

I definitely think Johnny Sexton was one of the biggest personalities for 2023. During his final World Cup at the age of 38, he led his Irish side to a quarter final playing passionately with the same energy he had from the start of his career. After all the years he has given rugby, he has become one of the best out-halves the game has seen and he still remains humble. 

TEAM OF THE YEAR

The U20 Irish rugby team is a very exciting promise for the future of Irish rugby. They are a team that aren't afraid to express themselves in their playing style whether that is making a series of impressive, risky offloads or making brave choices in the game. To see four promising Connacht players play on such a successful Irish side is also very inspiring to all young players showing that it is possible to compete at such a high level. 

ONE THING I’D DO TO MAKE SPORT BETTER IN 2024

In order to make sport in general better in 2024, I would strengthen partnerships between schools and local sports organisations, have coaches from these organisations come to schools regularly to play a sport. Once students are familiar with multiple sports they can choose what they enjoy the most and progress in it with the encouragement from their school and the club in which they play with.

WHAT ARE THE BIG CHALLENGES FACING LEITRIM SPORT IN 2024? 

The ongoing challenge for all sports in Leitrim is the lack of adequate facilities in our clubs and schools. Pitches are unplayable in wet weather leading to games and training being postponed or cancelled. 2023 has been particularly bad with teams having to travel to Sligo or Longford for training and to play fixtures. On a positive note, it has been great to see work starting on the regional sports centre in Carrick. This is very exciting to see and will make a huge difference to sport in the county.

IN PICTURES: Sportsfile release their 2023 photos of the year

PERSON  THAT MADE YOU GO WOW IN 2023

A person that made me go wow in 2023 was definitely Rhasidat Adeleke. She is a young and exciting Irish track star that has become the first Irish woman to break the 50 second barrier for the 400m run and in 2023 she came 4th in the world at the age of 20 which is a huge achievement and a great example for all young athletes.

ONE TO WATCH IN 2024

Someone I think will excel in 2024 is Diarmaid O’Connell. As a teammate of mine Diarmaid plays on the Carrick under 18.5 team, Sligo Grammar Senior team and recently the Irish under 18 schools squad. I’ve seen the great talent he displays with his powerful carries and his in-game smarts and I have no doubt that there are great things to come for his future career.