New York defeat a "harsh blow" for Donal Wrynn as Leitrim captain looks back over 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, Leitrim Senior Men’s captain Donal Wrynn describes losing to New York as one of the harshest blows he has ever suffered on the sporting scene and picks Ballinamore Sean O’Heslins Ladies as his team of the year.

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

HIGHLIGHT OF THE YEAR

Ireland's Grand slam win in the spring brought great excitement ahead of the world cup in Paris. Although we didn’t take home the Webb Ellis cup there were some exceptional games and it was great to see Ireland competing at the top on the World Stage 

LOWLIGHT OF THE YEAR

I'll go with a personal one here, losing on penalties to New York last April has been one of the harshest blows I've had on the sporting scene.

PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR

I'm not a major boxing fan but I think Katie Taylor's bounce back to overturn her previous defeat to Chantelle Cameron was incredible. She has been an inspirational figure in Irish sport and continues to defy the odds.

TEAM OF THE YEAR

I'll stay in Leitrim for this one. I'm reluctant to give one to our neighbours but Ballinamore Sean O'Heslin's ladies team reaching the All Ireland intermediate final  in Croke Park is a remarkable achievement. The manner in which they got there showed incredible resolve. 

EVENT THAT MADE YOU GO WOW IN 2023

The rugby world cup quarter between France and South Africa was the most intense I have ever seen in any sport. The Ireland New Zealand  game wasn't far behind but the incredible physicality of the game was outstanding.

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

Pooled sponsorship funding. If we could create a system whereby a portion of the sponsorship funding which the larger teams draw in is pooled and divided out amongst the teams which are not able to draw the same level of sponsorship it could go a long way to closing the gap in terms of financial resources available to teams. 

WHAT ARE THE BIG CHALLENGES FACING LEITRIM SPORT IN 2024?

I would say it’s the age old challenge of procuring finances to maintain and run all teams. It is very challenging, particularly for rural clubs to keep pace with the ever increasing demands in sports. I think associations can do more to support this. 

ONE TO WATCH IN 2024

From the perspective of the Leitrim Senior Men's team, there are probably a few. I thought Barry McNulty had an excellent debut season. I'd expect him to have a huge impact in 2024.