Month: September 2021

1. Davy Fitzgerald’s first year in Wexford

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

DAVY FITZGERALD never going to stay away for long, but few could have predicted how quickly he’d be back in inter-county management. Fitzgerald is dropping down the ladder at Wexford, with a talented bunch of players who’ve achieved little at senior level.

The All-Ireland winning manager will expect to bring a sharp rise in the fortunes of the Yellowbellies, particularly in the first season. Much will go down to his ability of getting the best out of stars Lee Chin, Conor McDonald and Jack Guiney.

2. New men at the helm in Clare

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Gerry O’Connor and Donal Moloney are now in charge in the Banner county. The All-Ireland winning U21 duo enjoyed a remarkable spell in charge of underage Clare teams, winning five straight Munster underage hurling titles — minor in 2010 and 2011 before the U21 wins in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

O’Connor and Moloney helped mold many of Clare’s current stars and they’ll be aiming to steer the county back to the heady heights of 2013. Tony Kelly looked back to his 2013 form with Ballyea, while Podge Collins will be focusing only on the small ball next year.

This is a huge year for the Banner.

3. The rebuilding of Cody’s empire

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

There’s talk of “transition” and “rebuilding” in Kilkenny this winter. Brian Cody signed on for an 19th year in charge of the Cats with plenty of question marks hanging over a team that was ravaged in the All-Ireland final.

Experienced veterans Eoin Larkin and Jackie Tyrrell have waved goodbye to the inter-county scene, as Cody must once again look to the future.

The hallmark of Brian Cody’s genius has been his ability to rebuild his teams while consistently contending for All-Ireland honours. This winter, he’s facing into one of his biggest challenges as Kilkenny boss.

4. Tipperary’s attempt to defend their crown

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Tipperary’s last bid to retain the All-Ireland in 2011 ended in failure. They lost to Kilkenny by four points in the final, but that was a great Cats team coming to their end.

This time around Kilkenny are in a period of transition, and less of a threat for the Liam McCarthy. The problem is Waterford and Galway must feel their All-Ireland ambitions are in the “now or never” phase. Derek McGrath is potentially facing into his last year as Deise boss, while Galway star Joe Canning recently turned 28 and may have only a couple of prime years left in him.

Tipperary have the continuity provided by Michael Ryan staying on as manager, plus a younger squad than their previous win in 2010.

5. The future of the ‘new-era’

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

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Tipperary’s All-Ireland win was undoubtedly a victory for the purists. A fast, direct game plan eschewed any need for a sweeper as their prolific forwards were devastating at the far end.

Tactically, hurling has evolved quite drastically in the past few years, with the use of an extra defender becoming common place. But Tipperary’s victory, allied to poor years for Cork, Clare and Limerick (each of whom used a spare defender), might see another shift towards attacking play.

One thing’s for sure: Tipperary, Galway and Kilkenny will go man-on-man next year. But it’ll to interesting to see who follows suit, and who opts for damage limitation.

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Ger Cafferkey, Neil Douglas and Jason Gibbons all back involved for Mayo.

Source: INPHO

THE RETURN FROM injury of experienced duo Ger Cafferkey and Jason Gibbons along with the addition of All-Ireland U21 and Castlebar Mitchels club winners, are key features of the additions to the Mayo senior squad ahead of the start of their 2017 campaign.

Mayo are in action next Sunday for their seasonal opener in the FBD League against NUI Galway.

Defender Cafferkey and midfielder Gibbons have been added to the squad after missing Mayo’s run to the All-Ireland final last season due to injury.

Cafferkey was struck down with a hamstring injury before last summer’s championship started while Gibbons dislocated his shoulder in the Connacht semi-final loss to Galway.

The majority of Mayo’s squad depart to South Africa on a team holiday this week which allows fringe players the chance to impress. Club commitments rule out players like Westport pair Lee Keegan and Kevin Keane this month, while college commitments and injuries mean others are absent.

The new prospects that are brought in are largely from last April’s Mayo All-Ireland U21 winning team and the Castlebar Mitchels side that in 2015 contested the All-Ireland club final and won the Mayo county senior decider.

Defender David Kenny and the attacking trio of Fergal Boland, Liam Irwin and Michael Plunkett are all from that U21 outfit.

Irwin scored 2-2 in last year’s final win over Cork while Plunkett notched 0-2.

Liam Irwin scores Mayo’s second goal in the All-Ireland U21 final

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

While goalkeeper Rory Byrne, corner-back Donie Newcombe and forward Neil Douglas are the Castlebar Mitchels players brought on board.

Douglas shot the lights out for Castlebar Mitchels at times last season with a 1-6 return in October’s county final success against Knockmore and 0-10 in their Connacht semi-final defeat in November to eventual provincial champions Corofin.

Rory Byrne with the trophy after last year’s Mayo county senior football final

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

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Currently no one from last year’s Mayo panel has departed but the squad is set to be reviewed at the close of the FBD League in January.

Here’s the new Mayo additions:

• David Kenny (Aghamore)
• Fergal Boland (Aghamore)
• Ger Cafferkey (Ballina Stephenites)
• Jason Gibbons (Ballintubber)
• Michael Plunkett (Ballintubber)
• Liam Irwin (Breaffy)
• Neil Douglas (Castlebar Mitchels)
• Rory Byrne (Castlebar Mitchels)
• Donie Newcombe (Castlebar Mitchels)
• Gareth O’Donnell (Charlestown)

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The futures of Donaghy, Cooper and O’Mahony should become clear soon.

Source: INPHO

KERRY MANAGER ÉAMONN Fitzmaurice expects to find out during January whether long-serving trio Aidan O’Mahony, Kieran Donaghy and Colm Cooper will be part of the Kingdom setup for 2017.

O’Mahony (36), Donaghy (33) and Cooper (33) have yet to offically announce their intentions whether to stay on this season, or follow another veteran Marc Ó Sé into retirement.

The trio have all been part of the Kerry setup for over a decade, amassing 13 All-Ireland senior medals and 13 All-Star awards between them.

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Cooper won Kerry and Munster senior medals with Dr Crokes at the close of the 2016 campaign and is now getting set for the All-Ireland club semi-final against Corofin next month.

“Aidan is still thinking about his future, Kieran the same while Colm is focused on the Crokes at the moment. I have nothing firm on any of those at the moment.

“I haven’t set any deadline as such but I would be expecting to hear from them during the month of January one way or the other.

“At that stage I think it is time to have made a call and be ready to move forward whether they are going again or not. But I would be expecting to know during this month either way.”

Kerry are scheduled to commence their 2016 campaign next Sunday in the McGrath Cup against Tipperary but Fitzmaurice has revealed that Jack O’Connor’s Kerry U21 side will fulfil that fixture.

Kerry U21 manager Jack O’Connor

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

The Kerry senior charges will return to action on 15 January against Cork.

“We are doing something slightly different in that the Kerry U-21’s are going to play Tipperary on Sunday. We (Kerry senior squad) are back training tonight (Tues) and we will have only two sessions under the belt.

“I spoke to Jack and we were looking at it and I was interested in looking at a share of the U21’s in the first couple of games.

“We said you what it makes sense for us as a management to look at the whole lot of them playing that first game.

“With regard to the senior squad there is a good lot of coming and going at the moment because of the club situation obviously with Glenbeigh/Glencar, Kenmare and (Dr) Crokes.

Captain Johnny Buckley celebrates Dr Crokes Munster senior club final win

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

“So the Crokes players are going to stay with the Crokes until they are finished. Similarly with Darran O’Sullivan (Glenbeigh-Glencar) and Stephen O’Brien (Kenmare), who might do a small bit of training with us early in January but for the most part they will be with their clubs as well.”

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TYRONE BOSS MICKEY Harte says the GAA could put an end to the playing of Amhrán na bhFiann and the flying of the tricolour at future matches “when the time is right”.

Harte’s comments come in the wake of GAA president Aogán Ó Fearghail recently saying that the organisation would be “open-minded” to considering such changes, while adding that flags and anthems were “a very precious part of our culture and games”.

Similarly, Harte believes changes may be on the horizon.

“There was a time in the ’70s when you weren’t allowed to play, in inverted commas, foreign games and play in the GAA, so that changed,” he told the BBC.

“And then there was a time when Croke Park wasn’t open to other sport, there were times when the police force from this part of the world were not allowed to play.

So these things changed over time, but they have to change when the time is right.

“People will know if it’s the right thing to do and if it’s not the right thing to do for the greater good, then it won’t happen — so we have to wait and see and let time take care of that.”

He continued: “The status quo that exists at the moment, it’s very dear to many people not because it’s anti anybody else, it’s just in their culture.

And, I suppose, you don’t want to be moving things always to create some kind of special clone, we have to let people be as they are as long as they are not disrespectful of others.

“We don’t want to take anything away from anybody. But if the time’s right and people felt there was some movement could happen in that direction, then I think it will.”

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Shane Kingston, Ronan Lynch and Luke Scanlon are three of the players to watch out for in 2017.

Source: INPHO

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AROUND THIS TIME last year, we nominated our young hurlers to watch for 2016. 

It was pretty much a mixed bag for the nine players we selected, as Waterford’s Patrick Curran and Limerick All-Star nominee Diarmaid Byrnes emerged as arguably the most successful from our list.

We’re naming 11 players to keep an eye on ahead of the new season but as always, we’re looking for selections from the various counties.

Our suggestions are players who have seen some game time already, are on the verge of a breakthrough or have a point to prove.

1. Steven O’Brien (Tipperary)

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Steven O’Brien is a coveted player for Tipperary senior football manager Liam Kearns but he’s sticking with the hurlers again this year.

The Ballina clubman was one of two players to switch codes in 2016 and while Seamus Kennedy finished the year as an All-Ireland senior hurling medallist, it was a frustrating campaign for O’Brien.

He saw just a few minutes of game time in the League, as a late sub in the quarter-final loss to Clare, and failed to feature in the championship.

But O’Brien’s form in training was excellent leading up to the final against Kilkenny and he was deemed unlucky to make the 26-man matchday panel.

With Patrick ‘Bonner’ Maher on Army peacekeeping duty, there’s a chance for a ballwinner to stake a claim in Tipp’s half-forward line and O’Brien could fit the bill.

2. Luke Scanlon (Kilkenny)

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Kilkenny boss Brian Cody named a number of new faces in his extended winter training panel – including three players who won All-Ireland intermediate medals in 2016.

Luke Scanlon, from Cody’s club James Stephens, is just one of them and he scored 1-2 in the final victory over Clare.

Source: HappyChristmasDad/YouTube

Scanlon was a member of Kilkenny’s 2014 All-Ireland minor winning crop but he missed out on the shock U21 defeat against Westmeath last summer due to injury.

Scanlon’s a former Leinster colleges winner with Kilkenny CBS and the dynamic midfielder looks set for a bright future.

Cody has promised that new players will be introduced, and quickly, which could pave the way for Scanlon to make his mark.

3. Jack Guiney (Wexford)

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Jack Guiney’s back in the Wexford senior hurling panel and with a point to prove.

The gifted former underage start is an undoubted talent but he quit Liam Dunne’s squad last February for personal reasons.

Guiney’s absence was keenly felt in attack but he’s accepted the chance to return under new manager Davy Fitzgerald.

Now 23 years of age, Guiney will feel that it’s time to start delivering on his vast potential.

And if Fitzgerald can harness his skills, Wexford will be a much more formidable forward unit this year.

4. Ronan Lynch (Limerick)

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

Already the proud holder of proud holder of All-Ireland medals at club level and with the Limerick U21s, Ronan Lynch will hope that 2017 is a major breakthrough year at senior inter-county level.

Limerick observers are still not sure whether the Na Piarsaigh man will find a long-term home in defence or attack but it’s a nice problem for incoming senior hurling manager John Kiely to figure out.

Kiely has added a host of his former U21s to the senior panel and Lynch knows that he’ll have to work hard for a starting slot.

But Kiely is sure to give youth its fling in his Limerick revolution and Lynch will be handed the chance to impress in the Munster senior and Allianz League campaigns.

Lynch is a former Harty Cup winner with Ardscoil Rís who won two Munster medals during a three-year stint with the Limerick minors.

5. Aron Shanagher (Clare)

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Aron Shanagher finished 2016 on a high when he came off the bench to score a vital goal for Munster in their GAA Interprovincial hurling final victory over Leinster.

The Wolfe Tones man has already made an impact at senior level, scoring a hat-trick of goals against Laois in last year’s All-Ireland qualifier.

Earlier in the year, he stormed through for a decisive goal in the Allianz League quarter-final victory over Tipp at a raucous Cusack Park.

Shanagher also scored a point in the All-Ireland qualifier victory over neighbours Limerick and he looks set for an extended run in the team under new joint-managers Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor.

6. Shane Kingston (Cork)

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Now happily recovered from serious injury, Kingston is a player that Cork fans have been talking about for some time now.

A former county minor captain, Kingston racked up huge tallies in that grade and lined out for Rochestown College in the 2015 Dr Harty Cup and Corn Uí Mhuirí deciders.

His father Kieran is Cork’s current senior hurling team boss and he’s already tasted senior championship fare, coming on against Dublin and Wexford in last year’s qualifiers.

Kingston was also a key player for his club Douglas as they defeated Blackrock to win the county U21 premier hurling crown in November.

7. Jake Malone (Dublin)

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Cuala’s Jake Malone is one of a number of players introduced by Ger Cunningham to his Dublin senior hurling panel for the 2017 season.

But before Malone can attend to inter-county duties, he has the small matter of an AIB All-Ireland senior club semi-final against Slaughtneil to focus on.

Malone, a former Dublin minor and U21, was influential when Cuala won their first county senior hurling title in 21 years in 2015.

And he was consistent again in 2016, primarily at midfield, when Mattie Kenny’s outfit retained their title.

8. Brian Molloy (Galway)

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

While Galway were heavily defeated by Waterford in last year’s Bord Gáis Energy All-Ireland U21 hurling final, captain Brian Molloy still managed to post six points, including three from play.

He was also the hero in the extra-time semi-final victory over Dublin, hitting ten points as the Tribesmen edged home.

Molloy was a member of Micheál Donoghue’s senior squad last year and the Kilnadeema-Leitrim clubman will hope that he’s done enough to stake a claim for regular inclusion this year.

He was used in the early stages of the 2016 campaign and can expect more game time in 2017 as Donoghue and Galway aim to finally crack the All-Ireland code.

9. Conor Gleeson (Waterford)

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

10. Oisin Kelly (Offaly)

Source: Tommy Dickson/INPHO

Oisín Kelly from Belmont is a player Offaly fans will be pinning their hopes on this year.

He ran up some big tallies at club level last year and was also a key member of the county’s U21 side in 2016.

Kelly also scored a late consolation goal against Wexford when Offaly exited the senior championship, a game that marked his first appearance at the top level.

It was a big year for Kelly, who completed his Leaving Certificate before accepting a third-level place at Limerick IT.

Renowned as a seriously athletic player, Kelly also cuts an imposing figure at well over 6ft tall.

11. Sean Downey (Laois)

Laois fans will hope that the arrival of Eamonn Kelly will signal an upturn in the county’s senior hurling team fortunes.

Tipp native Kelly will look to build on the solid foundations laid in place by his predecessor, Seamus ‘Cheddar’ Plunkett, as the O’Moore men look ahead to the 2017 season.

Kelly has been busy assembling his squad for the new campaign, with a number of young up and coming players drafted in.

Ballinakill’s Sean Downey is a rising star worth keeping an eye on, a midfielder who has worn the county shirt most recently at U16, minor and U21 levels.

Downey suffered county senior hurling heartbreak last year when his club lost to champions Borris-Kilcotton by just a single point after a replay.

But Downey caught Kelly’s eye with a series of fine displays at club level and will hope to carry that good form through to the senior inter-county stage.

Which players are you looking forward to seeing emerge in 2017? Leave your feedback in the comments section below…

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NEW YEAR AND the familiar sight of pre-season provincial competitions coming down the tracks to signal the start of another GAA campaign.

Dublin’s footballers are at home in Parnell Park on Sunday

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

The 2017 offering gets underway tomorrow night with Walsh Cup action in Parnell Park before switching to Kilkenny’s game on Thursday night.

On Saturday the footballers of Kildare and Longford will get the O’Byrne Cup rolling before on Sunday there’s action from all four provinces.

Here’s the 30 games to get stuck into this week.

WEDNESDAY

Bord Na Móna Walsh Cup

Group 3
Dublin v Carlow, Parnell Park, 7.30pm

THURSDAY

Walsh Cup

Group 2
Kilkenny v DCU, MW Hire Park Dunmore, 7.30pm

Thursday night lights for the Kilkenny hurlers

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

SATURDAY

O’Byrne Cup

Group 2
Kildare v Longford, St Conleth’s Park Newbridge, 2pm

SUNDAY

Co-Op Superstores Munster Hurling League

Round 1
Cork v Kerry, Mallow, 2pm
Waterford v Limerick, Fraher Field, 2pm

First day out in the Fraher Field for Waterford’s Derek McGrath

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Dr McKenna Cup

Section A
Down v Queen’s University, Downpatrick, 2pm
Derry v Armagh, Owenbeg, 2pm

Section B
Antrim v St Mary’s, Glenavy, 2pm
Monaghan v Fermanagh, Clones, 2pm

Section C
Cavan v Tyrone, Kingspan Breffni Park, 2pm
Donegal v UUJ, Ballybofey, 2pm

Mattie Donnelly captained Tyrone to win the Dr McKenna Cup last year

Source: Andrew Paton

FBD League

Section A
Roscommon v Sligo IT, Abbey Park, Boyle, 2pm
Mayo v NUI Galway, Elverys MacHale Park, 2pm

Section B
Sligo v Galway, Enniscrone, 2pm
Leitrim v GMIT, Mohill, 2pm

McGrath Cup

Group A
Kerry v Tipperary, Austin Stack Park, Tralee, 2pm

The Tipperary management will be hoping to build on their 2016 success

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

Group B
Clare v Waterford, Meelick, 2pm

O’Byrne Cup

Group 1
Dublin v DCU, Parnell Park, 2pm
Wexford v UCD, Gorey, 2.30pm

Group 2
Offaly v IT Carlow, Geashill (Raheen GAA), 2pm

Group 3
Meath v Wicklow, Páirc Tailteann, Navan, 2pm
Laois v DIT, Crettyard, 2pm

Group 4
Westmeath v Louth, TEG Cusack Park, 2pm
Carlow v Maynooth University, Netwatch Cullen Park, 2pm

Walsh Cup

Group 1
Galway v DIT, Duggan Park, Ballinalsoe, 2pm
Laois v NUI Galway, Abbeyleix, 2pm

Group 2
Westmeath v Antrim, Kinnegad, 2pm

Group 3
Wexford v UCD, Gorey, 12.45pm

Davy Fitzgerald’s first game with Wexford is against the students of UCD

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

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Group 4
Meath v Offaly, Trim, 2pm
Kildare v IT Carlow, St Conleth’s Park, Newbridge, 2pm

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NEW CLARE MANAGEMENT duo Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor will get the chance to experiment in the coming weeks as they’ll be without seven All-Ireland senior hurling winners for the start of their 2017 campaign.

Tony Kelly, Paul Flanagan and Conor McGrath all out for the early stages of 2017 for Clare.

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

From the triumphant 2013 team Tony Kelly, Patrick O’Connor, Patrick Donnellan, David McInerney, Colin Ryan and Conor McGrath are all currently unavailable, along with Paul Flanagan who was involved in that squad four years ago.

Defensive pair Jack Browne and Gearoid O’Connell are also marked absent for the early stages of the season along with new attacking prospects Niall Deasy and Ian Galvin.

Ballyea’s preparations for an All-Ireland club semi-final against Galway’s St Thomas on 4 February in Semple Stadium rule out Kelly, Flanagan, Browne, O’Connell and Deasy. The latter had been called up on the back of last autumn’s scoring exploits exploits as Ballyea won historic county and Munster senior titles.

Niall Deasy scored 0-7 in last year’s Munster senior club hurling final

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

McGrath and O’Connor have both undergone shoulder surgeries recently which will most likely sideline them for the majority of the spring.

McInerney is travelling abroad at present and will rejoin the squad when he returns in March.

Ryan is currently on an extended break from the panel, opting to take time out at the end of last summer. He has been focused on playing soccer for his local team Newmarket Celtic and the Clare Oscar Traynor Cup side.

Clare hurler Colin Ryan

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Both Donnellan and Galvin – a younger brother of midfielder Colm – tore cruciates in 2016 and their rehab is expected to be completed to allow them return to full training in late January.

Moloney and O’Connor have a 40-strong squad of players to pick from for the Munster senior hurling league with Clare’s first game there on 15 January against Kerry.

Clare hurling management duo Donal Moloney and Gerry O’Connor

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Clare’s league panel will be selected after the pre-season competition before they then travel to take on Cork in their first game in the Allianz hurling league on 11 February.

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Colm Basquel, Jason Foley and Conor Loftus are three of the players we’ll be keeping an eye on.

Source: INPHO

AS FANS EAGERLY await the start of the 2017 pre-season competitions, it’s a time to keep an eye out for some new talent in many county squads.

Before Christmas, inter-county managers up and down the country announced winter training panels, with former underage stars included and carrying the hope of glory with them into the new year.

Here, we take a look at 13 players, some who have already made an impression in the senior inter-county ranks, who will be targeting big seasons in 2017.

As always, we’re looking for your feedback on who are the rising young stars to keep an eye out for this year.

 1. Colm Basquel (Dublin)

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Con O’Callaghan is tipped as a player to watch for Dublin’s footballers in the coming years, having expressed his preference for the big ball code.

But with O’Callaghan on club hurling duty with Cuala next month, and possibly in March also, we’ve chosen Colm Basquel as a player to watch from the Dublin set-up.

Source: Conán Doherty/YouTube

2016 was a super year for Basquel, who crowned Ballyboden’s march to AIB All-Ireland senior club glory with an All-Ireland final goal.

He also won a Leinster U21 medal with Dublin and made the bench for the senior final replay victory over Mayo.

2. Mark Bradley (Tyrone)

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

Mark Bradley’s star is very much on the rise and when his club Killyclogher stormed to Tyrone senior football glory, he scored eight points in the replay victory over Coalisland Fianna.

That haul brought Bradley’s championship tally to 0-30, and saw him finish the campaign as the competition’s top scorer.

A 2012 All-Ireland minor medallist, Bradly made his League and championship debuts at senior level in 2015.

Still a young player, Bradley has already amassed a formidable haul of honours that includes All-Ireland medals at minor and U21 levels, as well as that county SFC win with his club.

3. Conor Loftus (Mayo)

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Mayo’s agonising collapse in the All-Ireland final replay against Dublin once again highlighted the need to unearth at least one more reliable scoring forward.

Conor Loftus could be the man to step in and make an impact as he was Mayo’s matchwinner at U21 level against the Dubs in 2016.

Loftus nailed a late point to send Mayo through to the All-Ireland decider, before he scored 2-2 in the final victory against Cork.

Loftus also made an early impression in the senior championship, replacing black-carded Cillian O’Connor against London in Ruislip, and scoring 1-2 in a comfortable victory.

4. Liam Casey (Tipperary)

Source: Cathal Noonan/INPHO

Steven O’Brien’s decision to remain with the hurlers and Peter Acheson’s move to Dubai has left Tipperary manager Liam Kearns with a midfield conundrum.

Who partners George Hannigan in the Premier County engine room is a question that will be answered in the coming weeks and months but Liam Casey is a live contender.

A 2015 Munster U21 medallist, Cahir man Casey won a Sigerson Cup with UCD last year.

His decision to leave for America was a big blow for Kearns but Casey is back and very much part of the manager’s plans for the 2017 season.

5. Sean Powter (Cork)

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Sean Powter is a busy forward with keen eye for goal, but also a creator of scores.

The Douglas clubman made his U21 debut in the 2016 EirGrid Munster final victory over Kerry before going off injured.

The Douglas player was back for the All-Ireland semi-final victory against Monaghan, creating Peter Kelleher’s goal, hitting the post and chipping in with three points.

A prodigious talent, Powter was a key player for St Francis College, Rochestown, as they contested Harty Cup and Corn Uí Mhuirí finals in 2015, before representing the county in both codes at minor level.

Powter made his senior championship debut last year and should see plenty of game time in 2017.

6. Jason Foley (Kerry)

Source: Ryan Byrne/INPHO

With a rich conveyor belt churning out promising young talent, Jason Foley is certainly one to watch.

Full-back for the Kerry U21s last year, Foley occupied the same position on the All-Ireland minor winning team of 2015.

Foley is a member of Eamonn Fitzmaurice’s senior squad and is a two-time All-Ireland minor medallist, also winning the title in 2014.

Fitzmaurice hasn’t been shy about giving youth its fling and we could also see the likes of Killian Spillane, Gavin White and goalkeeper Shane Murphy at some stage in the season, although White and Murphy are currently club-tied with Dr. Crokes.

7. Luke Flynn (Kildare)

Source: Lorraine O’Sullivan/INPHO

Luke Flynn, an U21 player with Kildare last year, is one of several call-ups to senior manager Cian O’Neill’s panel for the 2017 season.

The Johnstownbridge player is a highly-rated midfielder who featured in defence during the 2016 O’Byrne Cup campaign.

Flynn is one to watch as O’Neill decided to freshen up his backroom staff and panel ahead of the new year.

Luke is younger brother of fellow Kildare player Daniel, who has previous AFL experience.

8. Paul Kingston (Laois)

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

A new broom looks set to sweep clean in Laois following the appointment of former Tipperary boss Peter Creedon as manager of the county’s senior footballers.

In keeping with a previous move in Tipp, Creedon is already combining both the senior and U21 squads collectively for training.

A number of young players will be evaluated but one player who’s already made his senior championship debut is Paul Kingston, younger brother of Donie.

Paul will shortly celebrate his 23rd birthday and having spent last summer in Boston, he looks set for a big year, if a reported knee injury can be attended to.

9. Ultan Harney (Roscommon)

Source: Tommy Grealy/INPHO

A 2015 county senior football championship winner with Clann na nGael, Ultan Harney has also tasted Connacht U21 glory with Roscommon.

Injury hampered Harney during the early months of the 2016 season but he returned to feature for Kevin McStay’s seniors.

A key member of Roscommon’s 2013 minor crop, Harney went on to become a key player for the U21s and won two provincial medals in that grade.

Harney was out injured when Roscommon’s quest for three-in-a-row was stopped last year.

10. Darren Nagle (Clare)

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Darren Nagle made his senior championship debut for Clare against Sligo in last year’s All-Ireland qualifier.

He joined the panel in 2015, however, and is renowned as a very tidy corner back, quick and hard as nails.

From the Liscannor club, injuries hampered Nagle’s progress in 2016 but he could be set for an extended run in the team if he can put those problems behind him.

It’s a big year for Nagle and Clare as they prepare for life in Division 2 of the Allianz League.

11. Cillian O’Sullivan (Meath)

Source: Morgan Treacy/INPHO

Cillian O’Sullivan was a member of the Meath team that lost against Dublin in the 2012 All-Ireland minor football final.

But O’Sullivan lost nearly two years of a promising career through injury, before returning to fitness and football in early 2016.

The Moynalvey player made a long-awaited senior championship debut against Louth last summer, having recovered from a back problem.

Looked impressive against Dublin in last year’s Leinster championship clash before the Sky Blues gained a firm stranglehold on proceedings.

12. James Mealiff (Monaghan)

Source: Donall Farmer/INPHO

Operating at centre back, James Mealiff was a key member of Monaghan’s 2016 outfit that won a first EirGrid Ulster U21 football crown in 17 years.

From Clones, Mealiff was a member of the Monaghan senior squad for last year’s championship but he’s yet to make his full competitive debut.

That looks set to come in pre-season competition, as Monaghan look ahead to their Division 1 opener against Mayo next month.

Mealiff won an All-Ireland Freshers League Division 1 title with DCU in December 2015.

13. Michael Daly (Galway)

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Michael Daly is the son of former Galway star and ex-Roscommon senior team manager Val.

When Galway were knocked out of the Connacht U21 championship last year, Michael was deemed unfortunate to have been sent off early on a second yellow card.

But that setback shouldn’t deter the progress of Daly, who’s already captained his club Mountbellew/Moylough to county minor glory while also appearing in a senior decider.

A midfielder in the underage county ranks, Daly has impressed in attack for his club and he could be given a senior county debut by manager Kevin Walsh this year.

Who are you looking forward to seeing given a chance in county colours this year? Leave your feedback in the comments section below…

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A GALWAY ALL-Ireland U21 winner and a Kilkenny All-Ireland minor winner are part of the Dublin hurling squad for their 2017 opener in the Walsh Cup tonight.

Dublin hurling manager Ger Cunningham

Midfielder Donie Fox, a 2011 U21 winner with the Tribesmen, and attacker Canice Maher, a 2008 minor victor with the Cats, have both been given the chance to impress for Dublin by manager Ger Cunningham.

The duo both transferred to the St Judes club last year with Maher playing for Dublin and Fox lining out for the Dubs Stars in the annual New Years Day challenge last Sunday.

Tomás Connolly, brother of Dublin senior football star Diarmuid, is also involved while last year’s Leinster U21 winners Jonathan Tracey, Mark McCallion and Chris Bennett are also involved.

Throw-in for tonight’s game between Dublin and Carlow is 7.30pm

Dublin U21 hurling goalkeeper Jonathan Treacy

Source: James Crombie/INPHO

Dublin

1. Jonathan Tracey – Na Fianna
2. Darragh Gray – Whitehall Colmcille
3. Shane Barrett – Na Fianna
4. Fionn Ó Riain Broin – St. Judes
5. Matthew McCaffrey – Lucan Sarsfields
6. Chris Crummey – Lucan Sarsfields
7. Sean McGrath – Kilmacud Crokes
8. Liam Rushe – St. Patrick’s Palmerstown
9. Donie Fox – St. Judes
10. Conor Burke – St. Vincents
11. Tomás Connolly – St. Vincents
12. Fionntain McGibb – Setanta
13. Canice Maher – St. Judes
14. Donal Burke – Na Fianna
15. Cian O’Sullivan – St. Brigids
16. Gary Maguire – Ballyboden St. Enda’s
17. Paddy Smyth – Clontarf
18. Mark McCallion – Kilmacud Crokes
19. Mark Kavanagh – St. Brigids
20. Ciaran Dowling – Lucan Sarsfields
21. Ben Quinn – Crumlin
22. Fergal Whitely – Kilmacud Crokes
23. Caolan Conway – Kilmacud Crokes
24. Niall McMorrow – Ballyboden St. Enda’s
25. Johnny McGuirk – St. Brigids
26. Alan Moore – St. Vincents
27. Sean Ó Riain – Setanta
28. Alex Quinn – Crumlin
29. James Holland – Ballyboden St. Enda’s
30. Chris Bennett – Faughs

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FORMER DUBLIN STAR Conal Keaney has launched an appeal on Twitter for the return of the medals he won during Ballyboden St Enda’s All-Ireland winning club campaign of 2015/16.

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The Dublin, Leinster and All-Ireland SFC medals Keaney picked up with the Rathfarnham club were recently stolen from his car.

The 34-year-old tweeted an image of the medals along with the caption: “Whoever stole these 3 medals from my car might be so kind as to return them to me.”

Keaney played a key role in Ballyboden’s run to the All-Ireland club SFC title on St Patrick’s Day, where they defeated Mayo’s Castlebar Mitchels in the decider.

The forward lined out for both the Dublin footballers and hurlers during his career, winning provincial honours in both codes. He spent six years with the football squad before linking up with the hurlers in 2010.

Last April Keaney confirmed his retirement from inter-county hurling.

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