2017 ELECTRIC IRELAND GAA MINOR STAR FOOTBALL TEAM OF THE YEAR ANNOUNCED
Sponsor of the GAA All-Ireland Minor Championships, Electric Ireland is delighted to announce the GAA Minor Star Awards Football Team of the Year for 2017. The Electric Ireland Minor Star Football Team of the Year will be formally recognised at the inaugural GAA Minor Star Awards that will take place in Croke Park on October 7th.
The Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Football Team of the Year features players from Kerry, Derry, Dublin and Cavan, the four semi-finalists from this year’s Championship. The team was selected by a panel of GAA greats from nominees that included the Electric Ireland Man of the Match and Player of the Week winners throughout the season.
The Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Football Team of the Year is: Deividas Uosis (Kerry, Dingle), Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne (Dublin, Cuala), Conor McCluskey (Derry, Magherafelt), Cian Gammell (Kerry, Killarney Legion), Michael Potts (Kerry, Dr Crokes), Padraig McGrogan (Derry, Newbridge), Niall Donohue (Kerry, Firies), Barry Mahony (Kerry, St.Senan’s), Oisin McWilliams (Derry, Swatragh), Ross McGarry (Dublin, Ballyboden St Enda's), David Clifford (Kerry, Fossa), Donal O’Sullivan (Kerry, Kilgarvan), Oisin Pierson (Cavan, Gowna), Lorcan McWilliams (Derry, Swatragh), Fiachra Clifford (Kerry, Laune Rangers)
The four-man awards selection panel which was unveiled back in March, consisted of Meath Senior football manager Andy McEntee, legendary former Cork hurler and current Clare hurling selector, Dónal Óg Cusack; former Armagh All Star footballer, Oisín McConville and former Galway hurler and AIB All Ireland Club hurling championship winning manager, Mattie Kenny.
The inaugural awards emphasise that there is ‘nothing minor about playing Minor’ and so honour the best individual performers from the entire season, also recognising the crucial and admirable part played by the families, clubs and communities of players which allowed them to get to this point in their sporting career.
Oisin McConville, Electric Ireland Minor Star Awards Judge; ‘These awards are a major event for young players and will stand as a landmark in their playing careers. It is a real honour to be named on the Team of the Year, not just for the player themselves but also for their families, counties, schools and clubs who have played a crucial part in these young players careers to date. It is just incredible to see such dedication in such young athletes but it really is a testament to them and they should be celebrated and that is what these awards are all about.’
Aogán Ó Fearghail, President, GAA, said; “This has been an outstanding Electric Ireland GAA Minor Football Championship season with some superb moments that will live long in the memory. 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. They will be first to acknowledge the roles that their friends, families, clubs and communities played in their support and development and no doubt this will be a huge honour, not only for the player but for everyone connected to them and hopefully it will inspire them and their team mates to go on to great things in the GAA.”
Jim Dollard, Executive Director, Electric Ireland, said; “Electric Ireland is delighted to have been a part of this year’s Minor Championship. 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 at this year’s inaugural Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Awards. I’ve no doubt these players will be stars of the future. We hope this will also inspire Minor Star Award winners of the future as we continue to support the Championships in the coming years.”
Having been sponsor of the GAA All-Ireland Minor Championships since 2012, Electric Ireland has committed to continuing the partnership until 2021. Throughout the course of the partnership, Electric Ireland has been re-defining what it means to be a Minor in GAA with the This Is Major campaign, designed to empower young players, ensuring they feel driven to compete, improve and to strive for more in their sporting lives.