Double joy for Rathnew star Glynn

LEIGHTON Glynn was the toast of Wicklow soccer as he picked up the double accolade of The Premier Player of the Year and Overall Player of the Year Award.

Glynn is best known for his GAA skills but he showed this year that he’s no mug on a soccer pitch as his silky skills helped Rathnew pip Newtown United to the Premier League title.

Glynn gave his thoughts on receiving the awards and looked back on a very successful season.

“It’s an honour and a shock to get not only one but two awards. Any of the lads nominated would have been worthy winners and I know that within our team there are lads who didn’t get nominated who would have been just as worthy of getting it. There’s a lot of top players in Wicklow so I’m very chuffed.”

“To win the league was great and this award is just a bonus because it took everyone on the team to get there.”

Glynn played most of the season as a central midfield playmaker while occasionally being deployed up front.

He was instrumental for Rathnew in a league campaign which they led pretty much from the start.

“We started well which was crucial in gaining momentum which we used and carried through the whole year.

“I was able to concentrate on the soccer a bit more from early on which was a bit of a double edged sword with Rathnew getting knocked out of the GAA championship early this year. Having the likes of Theo and Jody around from the start I think built confidence in the lads that we could go on and win the league.”

In a year which Rathnew will look back on fondly and remember many high points it’s some crucial crunch games which stand out for Glynn.

“We were in a scrap with Newtown for the title most of the season so the match up there near the beginning was really satisfying. To beat them on their home patch early on gave us real belief that we could go on and have a good campaign so that was probably a real turning point.”

“More recently I’ll look back on the final league game against Wicklow Town really fondly. We knew that a draw would have been good enough to win us the league so to go out and play so well and win 6-0 was unbelievable and a really satisfying way to close out the league as I think it reflected how good we’ve were all year.”

Looking ahead to next season Glynn says that the signs for Rathnew look good but says his full involvement may be questionable.

“There’s a great mix of youth and experience in the team so there’s no reason why we can’t improve even more next year. My involvement from the start will depend on how Rathnew go in the GAA championship, which obviously we want to win, but I’ll definitely be back in at some stage, all going well.”

There’s a great mix of youth and experience in the team so there’s no reason why we can’t improve even more next year

Jim McLaughlin presents the Vartry Rowing Club with the Team of the Year Award at the Wicklow and District League Awards in the Parkview Hotel, Newtown.

John Shea and Michael Conlon present Leighton Glynn of Rathnew AFC with the Overall Player of the Year Award at the Wicklow and District League Awards in the Parkview Hotel, Newtown.

Duty Manager of the Parkview Hotel Cliona McGloughlin, Sydney Byrne and Eoin Devlin present Stephen Nichols of Ashford Rovers with the Division 3 Manager of the Year Award.

Duty Manager of the Parkview Hotel Cliona McGloughlin, Jim Scott and Eoin Devlin present Ian Cuddihy of Wicklow Town with the John Tobin Youth Division Manager of the Year Award

Lee McCormack of the Parkview Hotel Jim Scott and Liam Kilbride present Clive Keenan of Arklow Town with the John Tobin Youth Division Player of the Year Award at the Wicklow and District League Awards in the Parkview Hotel, Newtown.

Duty Manager of the Parkview Hotel Cliona McGloughlin, Phyl McEvoy and Eoin Devlin present Barry Mernagh of Rathnew AFC with the Andy McEvoy Premier Division Manager of the Year Award.