MEATH footballers have swept the board in this year's GAA Writers Association annual awards, sponsored by Guinness, by winning both senior and under age categories. Trevor Giles has been chosen as Footballer of the Year with Wexford's Larry O'Gorman taking the Hurler of the Year accolade. Peter Canavan of Tyrone and Clare's Brian Lohan were last year's winners.

This year's awards scheme features a new category for young players and Meath's Darren Fay wins out as Young Footballer of The Year with Limerick's Mark Foley the selection as Young Hurler.

Also nominated in the senior categories were Liam McHale, Mayo's most influential player, and Meath's Martin O'Connell whose veteran resourcefulness recalled his peerless contribution to Meath's last All Ireland in 1988.

All Ireland hurling final captains, Martin Storey (Wexford) and Ciaran Carey (Limerick) were the other nominees. Storey, freed from the obligation to win matches single handedly, played an outstanding role in Wexford's success as both scorer and creator whereas Carey's contribution to Limerick was most vividly remembered by his winning point against reigning champions Clare in last June's Munster semi final.

The Footballer of the Year citation is a fitting conclusion to Giles's season. At only 21, he shouldered extraordinary responsibility during Meath's progress to the All Ireland title.

Part of his development as a player was evident in his displays for UCD, where he was awarded the college's first football scholarship. This investment was rewarded last March when he was a key figure in UCD's first Sigerson Cup win in 11 years.

The main difference in his game this year has been his physical development. Heftier and stronger, he has had more time to play his natural game. Although nominally a wing forward, Giles roamed up and down the field spending as much time helping out his defence as he did in attack.

When up front, his calmness and perceptiveness on the ball have been vital components in many of Meath's scores. His place kicking was also an important asset to the team and supplemented the general quality of his play to vital effect in both the Leinster and All Ireland finals particularly his penalty conversion in the All Ireland replay.

For his hurling counterpart, Larry O'Gorman, 1996 was a year that got better as it wore on. Shocked to be dropped by Wexford during last season's League, O'Gorman rehabilitated himself to stunning effect throughout Wexford's unforgettable summer.

On the day of the Leinster final, he was at the heart of the tactical switch inspired by George O'Connor's injury. Having moved from his customary wing back posting to midfield, O'Gorman was a central influence on the county's memorable sweep to a first provincial title in 19 years.

One of the Wexford hurlers who had often been categorised as individually flashy but rather heedless of the collective dimension, his hurling was a revelation. The quality of his striking was complemented by a flawless big match temperament nowhere more evident than in the All Ireland final when he had moved back to defence because of Sean Flood's injury.

In addition to two stylish points, his marking blotted out the performance of Limerick's Barry Foley, whose early menace faded under O'Gorman's expert supervision.

Both the young players' awards were almost predictable. Darren Fay had an exceptional debut championship as Meath's full back, memorably seeing off the threat of Dublin's Jason Sherlock in the Leinster final and Mayo's John Casey over the two match All Ireland.

In hurling, Limerick's Mark Foley established his credentials early with a tour de force against Cork in the first round back in May. A converted forward, his appetite for the ball and great relieving clearances were hallmarks of the county's second Munster title in three yeah.

Also nominated were, in football, accomplished corner backs from both Mayo and Meath, Kenneth Mortimer and Mark O'Reilly. Hurling's list is completed by Liam Cahill (Tipperary), Man of the Match in his first Munster final, and Rory McCarthy (Wexford) whose fine displays at midfield and wing forward were illuminated by a spectacular goal against Galway in the All Ireland semi final.

The awards will be presented at a lunch in Dublin next Monday.