Night of celebration
The NEFL brought down the curtain down on the 2017/18 season at its annual the presentation night held in the Monasterboice Inn on Friday.
Prior to the presentation the assembled gathering were treated to a 15-minute showreel chronicling all the goals from the finals of the various competitions, plus a brief feature on the best moments of each league division.
The compilation of the unique production was down to the great work, time, and diligence put in throughout the entire season by League PRO Tommy Melia, with assistance from the NECSL PRO Jonathan Purvis.
Special guests on the night included AUL officials Dick Redmond, Darren Feehan, and former NEFL PRO Justin Burke, Assistant Treasurer of the LFA Richard Kennedy and his wife Georgina, FAI Officials Mark Scanlon, and Barry Ferguson, Drogheda United manager Tim Clancy and O’Neills Sports representative Paul McGonagle.
Thereafter for the rest of the night photos of various winning teams, and presentations were featured in the background.
In conjunction with the following days annual match involving members of the Meath & Louth Branches of the ISRS a raffle was held with the proceeds going to Motor Neuron research following the news that a very popular official from the Cavan-Monaghan branch has been diagnosed with the disease.
Premium Tickets for forthcoming Ireland Matches were offered as prizes, and the draw yielded a substantial €700 was topped up by a €1,000 donation from the NECSL.
Great credit is due to Meath Branch Secretary Conor Byrne for his work on the night, and he was assisted by one of the special guests, former PRO Justin Burke.
Judging by the amount of goodwill and plaudits expressed on the night all individual awards were very popular choices including Club of the Year Torro United, Player of the Year Stephen Murphy from Newfoundwell, Referee of the Year Conor Byrne Meath Branch ISRS, and Manager of the Year - a duet comprising of Paul Crowley and Danny Gartland, Newfoundwell.
The full honours list for the season which were presented on the night was as follows: O’Neill Shield Donacarney Celtic; Kilmessan Shield Newfoundwell; Gerry Reilly Mem Cup Trim Celtic 2nds; Fitzsimons Cup Torro Utd; Reserve Cup Newfoundwell; Tully Bookmakers Challenge Cup Muirhevnamor; Bradys Seat B Reserve Torro Utd; Bradys Seat A Reserve Kentstown Rovers; Bradys Seat Premier Reserve Newfoundwell; Bradys Seat Div 4 Kilmessa; Bradys Seat Div 3 Rathmullen Celtic; Bradys Seat Div 2 Albion Rovers; O’Neills Sports Div 1 Rock Celtic; Brady’s Seat Prem Div Newfoundwell.
Player of the Year awards: Div 4 Robbie Maguire Kilmesssan; Div 3 Eoin Branigan Rathmullen Celtic; Div 2 Peadar Farrelly Torro Utd; Div 1 Derek Delaney Rock Celtic; Overall Player of the Year Stephen Murphy Newfoundwell.
Special Merit Award: Newfoundwell FC.
Manager of the Year: Paul Crowley/Danny Gartland Newfoundwell.
Team of the Month awards: February Albion Rovers, March Donacarney.
Referee of the Year: Conor Byrne (Meath Branch ISRS), Club of the Year Torro United.