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Byrne lands player of the year honour as champions Dublin lead the way in U21 football awards

The Na Fianna club man hit the net in the final success against Galway.

DUBLIN FORWARD AARON Byrne has claimed the 2017 EirGrid U21 football player of the year award in the wake of their All-Ireland triumph last month.

Aaron Byrne scores a goal Aaron Byrne strikes home Dublin's second goal against Galway. Tommy Dickson / INPHO Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO

The Na Fianna club man was central to Dessie Farrell’s side landing the title, netting the second goal that sealed Dublin’s success in the decider against Galway in Tullamore.

Previously Byrne had been in exceptional form for Dublin in striking 2-3 from play in their opening round win over Westmeath and then bagging 0-4 in both the Leinster final victory over Offaly and the All-Ireland semi-final success against Donegal.

Dublin team-mate Brian Howard and Galway defender Sean Andy Ó Ceallaigh were the other nominees in the running, with Byrne receiving 46% of the votes that were cast last week on the official GAA social media channels.

Byrne was joined by seven of his Dublin team-mates in a selection of 21 players who stood out in this year’s U21 championship.

Beaten All-Ireland finalists Galway had five players included while Kerry (3), Donegal (3), Sligo (1) and Offaly (1) make up the rest of the list.
EirGrid GAA Football U21 Player of the Year Dublin footballer Aaron Byrne with EirGrid's Valerie Hedin. Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILE Sam Barnes / SPORTSFILE / SPORTSFILE

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

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Fintan O'Toole
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