John Lynch looks back over 2022 Sporting Year

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 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.

Broadcaster John Lynch casts his mind back over another action packed year, singing the praises of Katie Taylor but also expressing his dislike of penalty shootouts in gaelic football!

One week to in voting for Leitrim Observer Men's & Ladies Club Teams of 2022

Voting closes at 5 pm on Wednesday January 4, 2023 - go to www.leitrimobserver.ie to register your vote for the best club players of 2022 in Leitrim

Highlight of the Year

Katie Taylor has done so much for the sport of women’s boxing in this country and the legacy that she has created is already evident with Lisa O'Rourke securing a gold at the IBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Istanbul earlier this year. It was simply a sensational achievement for the 20-year-old from Castlerea.

My other personal highlight was being in Dr Hyde Park and watching St Ronan’s play in the Connacht Junior Football final.

Katie Taylor celebrates victory after her undisputed world lightweight championship fight with Amanda Serrano at Madison Square Garden Picture: Stephen McCarthy Sportsfile

Lowlight of the Year

Unfortunately victories for Leitrim club teams are few and far between in Provincial competitions. This year I felt that St Mary’s were in with an excellent chance of reaching the Connacht final. The defeat against Tourlestrane was a missed opportunity in the Connacht semi-final. There is massive attacking potential in the St Mary's team that has yet to be unleashed and hopefully their time will come. I really do feel that 2022 was a great chance for them to repeat the exploits of 95 and have contested for the Shane McGettigan Cup.  

The other major lowlight for me was the performance of the Irish men’s Soccer team at a time when the world cup has proved that European soccer is not as strong as it once was.

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?

It’s an interesting question that can be answered differently given different circumstances.  The world cup should never have been played in Qatar, simple as that, but has it stopped us from watching it? Of course not. There are times when sporting personalities must make a stand, and this is one. 

FIFA’s handling of the process has been a shambles and we can never forget the number of workers that have lost their lives in the construction of the stadiums. On a footnote, sometimes I feel that certain sporting stars take the moral high ground for no other reason other than to promote their own profile though.

Leitrim LGFA captain and John's co-commentator Clare Owens pictured with legendary coach Bro Colm O'Connell during her visit to Kenya in November

Personality of the Year

I think a worthy recipient of this award would be somebody that has had to share a commentary box with me on a few occasions over the years, perhaps she deserves an award for that alone but on a serious note the work that Clare Owens and other GAA stars are doing in Kenya is good enough reason. Clare is also an excellent captain of the Leitrim ladies football team and has led them to back-to-back Connacht Intermediate titles.

Team of the Year

Must go to the Irish Ladies Soccer team of the year after they secured their place at the 2023 World Cup. This achievement will be huge for Irish Sport and next year’s event will be one of the highlights of the Summer. When you remember how these girls had to strike for equal rights and what they have overcome in recent times it makes the size of their achievement all the greater.

What are the big challenges facing Leitrim sport in 2023?

I fear 2023 will be a tough year for many GAA clubs to retain players. The split season will encourage many to go abroad for part of the summer. The Covid restrictions in recent years has led to many placing their travel plans on hold and in 2023 there are many that will take the decision to spread their wings as a result many small rural clubs could struggle to field teams.

Event that made me go wow in 2022

We have spoken already about the world cup and despite it going ahead in Qatar it’s still compelling viewing. I have always been a fan of the Brazil soccer team and I find them compelling viewing. Whereas all the pre world cup talk has been about Messi and Ronaldo it’s the French player Kylian Mbappe that is lighting up the tournament for me. Roy Keane as Pundit is also box office the best on TV by a mile. 

Locally the Fenagh Oskars night was one of the big fundraising events to take place since the restrictions eased in Leitrim and it was a credit to the Club.

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

Penalty shoot outs from Gaelic Football, no way of settling an event. My heart went out to Riordan O'Rourke in the shootout between St Mary's and Fenagh St Caillins. I know the pressure of having to complete games but surely a golden score in GAA would be better might even help to ditch this defensive football that is a cancer in the game at present.

One to watch in 2023

Whereas Ireland has flattered to deceive in previous Rugby World Cups I really do have a good feeling about 2023. Andy Farrell and his coaching team have developed a squad that is in my view able to compete even if we pick up some inevitable injuries. Sexton even at 37 is still vital for Ireland and keeping him fit will be key.

Check out next week's Observer for more in the sporting review of the year from Aine Tighe, Shane Mallon, Darren Mulvey, PJ Leddy & John Connolly