Conor Rapple (Naas United FC)
The Division 2 player of the year started playing for a team of his current club at 6 years of age after doing as most kids do, kicking ball on the streets, He worked hard on his game over the next few years in team training and coaching sessions and during his own time always concentrating on his first touch and ball striking. As the years went by gradually a good core group of players joined his club and the team eventually becoming a competitive group in the major division of the KDUL . They became a very close knit group of players where the team ethos was always hard work and respect. Narrowly missing out on league titles year after year didn’t affect the teams or this players will to win. At under 17 level at the tail end of the season they lost the league by one point, the team got promotion the next year but lost some good players and found it tough at the highest level but this player was happy to grind it out when things got tough and stayed with his club when others left, he then joined the clubs u20s which proved to be tough but a great introduction to adult football at a much quicker level. At the end of that u20s season the majority of the team went on to play in the KDFL division two. This player played some great games during the season but his best was in the league decider game against Coill Dubh when working hard all over the pitch stole forward twice to score two good goals. Runners up again didn’t dampen his spirit and a few weeks later his Club got the better of Coill Dubh in the cup final. Finally this player won some silverware with the club he loves and has played for since he was 6 years of age a respectful, hard working and much liked player.