AN impressive eight Kerry players have made the GAA Minor Team of the Year.
While all 15 that started this year’s championship final – and the subs that were introduced – would have been worthy of recognition, such was the impact they made, the Kingdom will be satisfied to have more than 50 per cent of the start-studded team who will be honoured by sponsors Electric Ireland at a gala ceremony in Croke Park on October 7.
It will come as no surprise that man-of-the-moment David Clifford from Fossa leads the attack given his magnificent performances all season, culminating with a 4-4 man-of-the-match performance in the final against Derry.
It will surprise nobody either that Fiachra Clifford from Laune Rangers joins him in the attack – he has been handed the number 15 slot – given the remarkable season enjoyed by the all-action star with the great engine who notched two slick goals in the final.
Deividas Uosis from Dingle in between the sticks, the hugely impressive Killarney duo, Cian Gammell from Killarney Legion and Michael Potts of Dr Crokes, are in the defensive as is the tough tackling Niall Donohue from Firies who is the left half back.
The outstanding Barry Mahony from St Senans – who has a super season – is at midfield and Donal O’Sullivan from Kilgarvan, who also played at Under 17 level and had a brilliant Munster Championship campaign, in particular, with the Minors, is also included in the half-forward line.
The All-Star line-up also features players from Derry, Dublin and Cavan and the team was selected by a four-man awards selection panel comprising Meath senior football manager Andy McEntee, former Cork hurler and current Clare hurling selector, Dónal Óg Cusack, former Armagh All-Star Oisín McConville and former Galway hurler and All-Ireland Club hurling championship winning manager, Mattie Kenny.
The inaugural awards scheme is designed to honour the best individual performers over the entire season as well as their families, counties, schools and clubs who have played a crucial part in their development as outstanding young sportsmen.
GAA President, Aogán Ó Fearghail, remarked: “These 15 players have made a huge contribution to the enjoyment of the 2017 Minor football season and they fully deserve the recognition for an excellent year”.
Jim Dollard, Executive Director, Electric Ireland, said: “These 15 players have provided some amazing football this year and we are delighted to be able to honour them and all those who support them. I’ve no doubt these players will be stars of the future”.
2017 Minor All-Stars
- Deividas Uosis (Kerry)
- Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne (Dublin)
- Conor McCluskey (Derry)
- Cian Gammell (Kerry)
- Michael Potts (Kerry)
- Padraig McGrogan (Derry)
- Niall Donohue (Kerry)
- Barry Mahony (Kerry)
- Oisin McWilliams (Derry)
- Ross McGarry (Dublin)
- David Clifford (Kerry)
- Donal O’Sullivan (Kerry)
- Oisin Pierson (Cavan)
- Lorcan McWilliams (Derry)
- Fiachra Clifford (Kerry)
Click on individual images for details
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