Multiple winners again in November
Gaelic games were to the fore in November as the three Mayo Young Sports Stars Awards winners displayed their sublime skills.
First up is a young man who looks destined for great things in the green and red, Oisin Mullin from Kilmaine. Not alone did he make his mark with Kilmaine, but also with the county. Oisin was seen as a great talent when playing for Mayo minors two years ago. However, he received a bad shoulder injury which knocked him out of action for the year.
Last year he came back with a bang. He was one of Mayo's best players in the Under 20 championship and his form was noted by senior manager James Horan, who drafted him into the panel. For the famous clash with Donegal in the final game in the Super 8s, where it was a winner-takes-all scenario, Mullin was handed the number 18 jersey on the substitutes’ bench.
But it was with his club, Kilmaine, that Oisin really showed what a great talent he is. He played a massive role in his club reaching the county junior final, winning the Connaught club championship title, and going oh-so-close to qualifying for the All-Ireland final. Oisin was magnificent in every game.
The year 2019 will go down as a truly magnificent one for CL MacHale Rovers Ladies GAA Club.
They captured the Mayo junior championship title and the Connaught club championship title before winning their All-Ireland semi-final in a remarkable result. They had booked their place in the All-Ireland final strictly on merit.
Before the final against Cork side, Donoughmore, a club who had won All-Ireland senior club titles in the past, CL MacHale Rovers had done Mayo proud.
The club had stars all over the park but goalkeeper Niamh Larkin stood out. At the beginning of the year the team was short of a goalkeeper. Although Niamh was a staunch defender, she gave the goalkeeper position a try. Not alone did she master this position but put in many magnificent performances throughout the team’s memorable campaign.
What a year it turned out to be for the Mayo junior camogie team too, who brought home All-Ireland gold after an amazing journey. In the final they faced Denn from Cavan, a side who came into the decider with very strong credentials having taken the Ulster title and defeating the Munster champions in the semi-final.
On the basis of their tougher route to the final, Denn were strongly fancied to do the business against a Na Brideoga team, who defeated Birmingham side John Mitchels in a low-scoring All-Ireland semi-final.
However, Na Brideoga's team spirit played a huge part in getting over the winning line on a cold day in Athleague. The final will be remembered for a long time to come, not just in terms of some fine scoring but also some brilliant defensive displays, and in the end Fergal Delaney's charges got their just rewards, winning by 3-7 to 1-9.
Normally the scoring forwards tend to get the plaudits but when asked to put forward a player they felt deserved recognition with a sports award, Amy Mulkeen was nominated for her dedication and work not just in the final but all year through.