One Sligo player and three Donegal players have been listed among the top 21 players in this year’s All-Ireland U21 Championship.
Sligo captain Darragh Cummins has made the list, as has Donegal co-captain Eoghan Ban Gallagher.
Fellow Donegal players Michael Carroll and Michael Langan have also been honoured.
EirGrid, sponsors of the U21 All-Ireland Football Championship, yesterday revealed details of the top 21 players of this year’s competition through the ‘EirGrid 21 U21 Awards’ with Aaron Byrne from Dublin awarded the EirGrid U21 Player of the Year.
Sligo reached their first Connacht final since 2012 and pushed eventual All-Ireland finalists Galway to extra-time in decider. Their efforts have been reflected as Calry/St Joseph’s clubman Cummins has received an award for his impressive displays in the Connacht Championship.
Galway have five players selected – Ronán Ó Beoláin, Sean Andy Ó Ceallaigh, Cillian McDaid, Peter Cooke and captain Michael Daly.
Three awards go to Ulster champions Donegal, after Declan Bonner’s side steamrolled their way through the Ulster Championship before losing out to Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final just six days after winning the provincial title.
Dublin made history this year by not only claiming their fourth successive EirGrid U21 Leinster title, but by capturing the U21 All-Ireland title for the third time in six years. The champions have eight players included (Evan Comerford, Eoin Murchan, Cian Murphy, Cillian O’Shea, Brian Howard, Aaron Byrne, Con O’Callaghan and Glenn O’Reilly).
Munster champions Kerry also have three recipients (Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Andrew Barry and Matthew Flaherty) of the award. Offaly, who reached their first provincial final since 2007, are represented by Shane Tierney.
These awards, now in their final year, are run by EirGrid to recognise the outstanding talent at this age grade. The Gaelic Writers Association and EirGrid ambassador Seán Cavanagh selected the top 21 players of the Championship with the EirGrid U21 Player of the Year chosen through a public vote.
Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail said: “I’d like to congratulate all of the 21 winners following this year’s EirGrid U21 Football Championship. Dublin were the victors in the All-Ireland Final, but many teams achieved success over the course of the campaign so I would like to again pay tribute to all management teams and players who took took part in the competition.
“2017 was historic as it was the final occasion this competition was played at the U21 age grade. These players from across the country should be proud to be named in this group as their names and achievements will now forever be associated in the history books with this superb competition. Comhghairdeas le gach duine.”
Valerie Hedin, external communications manager, EirGrid commented:
“We are delighted to honour the top 21 performers in what was the last Championship at the U21 age grade and congratulations to Dublin’s Aaron Byrne who has been awarded the EirGrid U21 Player of the Year for the 2017 championship. While we were blown away by the character and effort of many team performances this year, it is always nice to be able to recognise the individual feats throughout the campaign.
“The talent displayed proves how competitive and exciting this Championship is and we look forward to a new chapter at U20 level. Well done to all our winners and thank you for making the last EirGrid GAA Football U21 All-Ireland Championship such an outstanding competition.
“I would also like to extend my thanks to the families, coaches, trainers and clubs of all of our winners in helping these players perform to the best of their abilities. I have no doubt our award winners will excel at senior level in the coming years and, on behalf of EirGrid, I wish them every success.”
EirGrid Top 21 U21s
GOALKEEPERS
- Evan Comerford – Dublin
- Ronán Ó Beoláin – Galway
DEFENDERS
- Eoin Murchan – Dublin
- Cian Murphy – Dublin
- Cillian O’Shea – Dublin
- Sean Andy Ó Ceallaigh – Galway
- Cillian McDaid – Galway
- Brian Ó Beaglaoich – Kerry
- Eoghan Bán Gallagher – Donegal
MIDFIELDERS
- Brian Howard – Dublin
- Andrew Barry – Kerry
- Peter Cooke – Galway
- Darragh Cummins – Sligo
FORWARDS
- Aaron Byrne – Dublin
- Con O’Callaghan – Dublin
- Glenn O’Reilly – Dublin
- Michael Carroll – Donegal
- Michael Langan – Donegal
- Michael Daly – Galway
- Matthew Flaherty – Kerry
- Shane Tierney – Offaly
