Maryland"s midfield dynamo chosen as sports star winner

MARYLAND stalwart David Reynolds is the Westmeath Independent Sports Star of the month for September. The 25-year-old midfielder played an integral role in his club"s Westmeath Intermediate Football Championship victory earlier this year in what was Maryland"s first intermediate county title success for almost 30 years. Reynolds was also a key player as Maryland claimed national glory in the first ever Celebrity Bainisteoir series, when Marty Whelan led the Drumraney club to victory in the series final over Gerald Kean"s Mayfield at Parnell Park in May. As the reigning Celebrity Bainisteoir 2008 champions, Maryland went on to become intermediate county champions and also took on London SFC winners, Tír Chonaill Gaels, in a one-off homecoming decider for the title of Celebrity Bainisteoir Christmas champions last weekend, a match will be shown on RTÉ One over the festive period. A former Westmeath under-21 player, David"s fine club form this year was recently rewarded at inter-county level, with Tomás Ó Flatharta drafting him in for a recent trials session for the Westmeath senior football panel. David was one of six Maryland players bearing the name Reynolds this year, along with brothers Aidan and Shane, and cousins Anthony, Damien and James, the latter of whom was also club captain this year. Speaking upon receiving his award for the month of September, David said: 'I"m delighted to be selected for the award. It"s on behalf of my team-mates and Maryland that I accept the award. We had a very successful year and the highlight was definitely winning the club"s first intermediate county title for 28 years. It was a long time coming, we were trying unsuccessfully for many years, so it"s great to have achieved it after such a long wait. We look forward to stepping up to senior level next year and our manager, Finbar Egan, has decided to stay on for another year, so that"s a further boost to Maryland.' Reynolds will formally receive his award at a gala banquet function in the Hodson Bay Hotel on Friday, February 6, 2009, at which all other eleven monthly winners for 2008 will also be honoured. An overall Westmeath Independent Sports Star of the Year will be selected from the monthly winners on the night. Previous monthly winners for 2008 are Adam Kennedy (rugby), Ciaran Ó Catháin (athletics), Athlone Community College senior football team, Martin Flanagan (Gaelic football), Patricia Cleary (Swimming), Joe Ward (Boxing), Jessica McMickan (Hockey) and Simon Coughlan (Cycling).