TREATY United’s Enda Curran is in the running to be named First Division Player of the Year 2022, a title which will be handed down at the Annual Professional Footballers Association Ireland Awards at Dublin’s Marker Hotel on Saturday night next.
Curran, who scored an impressive 21 goals across all competitions this season, faces competition from Stephen Walsh (Galway United) and Waterford United’s Phoenix Patterson.
On being shortlisted, Curran (30) tweeted: “Savage way to end an unbelievable year of football! It’s a big honour to be nominated by the players you play against week in and week out”.
Curran has already been named on the First Division Team of the Year, the only Treaty representative to make the chosen XI.
He was at the heart of a tremendous season for Tommy Barrett’s side, a run that brought the relative newcomers to an FAI Cup semi-final and right into the mix for promotion to the Premier Division.
On the local front, champions Pike Rovers entertain their fierce rivals and current leaders (on goal difference and with a match in hand) Fairview Rangers in a standout Premier League fixture on Sunday morning next, kick-off 11am.
Rugby:
THERE’S a break in the AIL next weekend before the action resumes on Saturday week.
In Division 1A Young Munster moved-up to fifth place following an unexpected but merited 24-19 win against holders and leaders Clontarf at Tom Clifford Park.
A class solo try from Munster’s Pa Ryan early in the second-half was the standout score across the 80 minutes.
Racing:
A COUNTY Limerickman has enjoyed a milestone training success on the concluding afternoon of the November Cheltenham Festival.
Paddy Neville, who only secured a UK training licence of his own in the days leading up to the weekend, tasted victory with 10/1 chance The Real Whacker in Sunday’s opening Novices Chase, a race worth €15,000 to the winning connections.
The six-year-old, owned by a syndicate headed-up by Rathkeale hotelier Davy Mann, galloped his four rivals into submission on his first try over fences.
Neville, who formerly trained in Askeaton before setting up alongside Ann Duffield in Leyburn, has 16 horses in his care and now looks to have a decent flag-bearer.
Camogie:
ALL-STAR nominee Caoimhe Costello knocked over seven points as Adare toppled fancied Brickey Rangers (Waterford), 1-9 to 0-8, in the Munster Junior Final.
The game’s crucial only goal arrived in the opening stages from Aeibhín Houlihan, which helped Adare to enjoy an important three-point half-time advantage.
GAA:
MONALEEN have won the All-Ireland Scór Question Time for a remarkable fifth occasion, claiming honours at the TF Royal Theatre, Castlebar (Mayo).
Michael O’Sullivan was a member of the inaugural winning team back in 1991 and has been ever present since, and was joined at the weekend by Liam de Búrca, Tom Tarpey, and Ken McAuley.
Greyhound Racing:
THERE are still 48 left in the running for the Matchbook Betting Exchange Irish St Leger, the final classic of the season which enters its second round at Limerick Stadium on Saturday next (first race, 7.40pm).
In the opening round, father-and-daughter training duo Pat and Emma Buckley of Doon grabbed a stunning treble courtesy of Ballinabola Ed, Killahan Sydney and Bobsleigh Dream, who clocked the fastest time (29.43 over 550 yards) on an occasion which was also a benefit meeting for Gaelscoil Sáirséal on the Shelbourne Road.
Irish Derby runner-up Ballymac Finn suffered a shock elimination on Saturday.
This year’s Leger carries a winners’ prize of €30,000, with the final listed for December 10.
