THE 2017 ELECTRIC Ireland Minor GAA Championships are well under way and while, for some counties, the summer may already be over, for others, the really hard work has just begun.
As we’re at something of a mid-way point in both the hurling and football championships, and with the inaugural Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star awards coming in September, we thought now would be a good time to take stock of some standout performances.
Here are five players across both codes we’ve been impressed with to date, but if anyone has caught your attention, you can cast your ballot every week on Electric Ireland’s Facebook page:
Sean Mulkerrin - Galway
Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
Galway have been the team to beat out west over the past three years and swept aside Sligo in their Electric Ireland Connacht GAA Football Minor Championship decider last weekend.
A major part of their success the past two years has been Sean Mulkerrin of Oileain Arainn and, if he keeps up the form he showed last Sunday, Galway could well go one better than last year’s All-Ireland final defeat.
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Adrian Mullen – Kilkenny
Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
While it hasn’t exactly been a season to savour for the seniors, the Kilkenny minor hurlers are keeping the Cats’ candle burning with a fourth Leinster title in five years earlier this month.
Instrumental in their success this year has been Adrian Mullen. The Ballyhale Shamrocks man is a cousin of the Fennelly brothers and has already amassed 3-37 this summer.
James Smith – Cavan
Presseye / Philip Magowan/INPHO
Presseye / Philip Magowan/INPHO / Philip Magowan/INPHO
Cavan have only won two Ulster minor football titles since 1960 but sprung something of a surprise when they outclassed favourites Monaghan in their semi-final back in May.
James Smith scored two goals that day in a performance that saw him named the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Championship Player of the Week.
With an Ulster final this weekend to come, the Crosserlough player has a real chance to add a provincial title to his list of honours this season.
Sean O’Leary-Hayes – Cork
Ryan Byrne / INPHO
Ryan Byrne / INPHO / INPHO
There’s something stirring on the banks of the river Lee and it’s nearly a decade since Cork hurling at the minor grade has been in this fine fettle.
Key to their first Electric Ireland Munster GAA Hurling Minor Championship win since 2008 has been their captain, Sean O’Leary-Hayes. The Midleton player is in his second year as a minor and looks to be one of the finest young defenders in the country.
Ross McGarry – Dublin
Oisin Keniry / INPHO
Oisin Keniry / INPHO / INPHO
Ballyboden’s Ross McGarry was the hero for Dublin as his goal put a halt to Kildare’s bid for a fifth successive Leinster final appearance.
His 1-2 that day followed up a two-goal performance in the previous round against Longford and the corner-forward has looked a goal threat every time he gets possession this season.
Brought to you by Electric Ireland. Minor players are embarking on their adult lives, and many are about to finish school and start college. They have hopes and dreams and ambitions, but for this one moment in time, the Electric Ireland Minor Championships is the major thing in their lives. Follow the conversation at #GAAThisIsMajor.
5 players having a major say in this year's Minor Championships
THE 2017 ELECTRIC Ireland Minor GAA Championships are well under way and while, for some counties, the summer may already be over, for others, the really hard work has just begun.
As we’re at something of a mid-way point in both the hurling and football championships, and with the inaugural Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star awards coming in September, we thought now would be a good time to take stock of some standout performances.
Here are five players across both codes we’ve been impressed with to date, but if anyone has caught your attention, you can cast your ballot every week on Electric Ireland’s Facebook page:
Sean Mulkerrin - Galway
Galway have been the team to beat out west over the past three years and swept aside Sligo in their Electric Ireland Connacht GAA Football Minor Championship decider last weekend.
A major part of their success the past two years has been Sean Mulkerrin of Oileain Arainn and, if he keeps up the form he showed last Sunday, Galway could well go one better than last year’s All-Ireland final defeat.
Adrian Mullen – Kilkenny
While it hasn’t exactly been a season to savour for the seniors, the Kilkenny minor hurlers are keeping the Cats’ candle burning with a fourth Leinster title in five years earlier this month.
Instrumental in their success this year has been Adrian Mullen. The Ballyhale Shamrocks man is a cousin of the Fennelly brothers and has already amassed 3-37 this summer.
James Smith – Cavan
Cavan have only won two Ulster minor football titles since 1960 but sprung something of a surprise when they outclassed favourites Monaghan in their semi-final back in May.
James Smith scored two goals that day in a performance that saw him named the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Championship Player of the Week.
With an Ulster final this weekend to come, the Crosserlough player has a real chance to add a provincial title to his list of honours this season.
Sean O’Leary-Hayes – Cork
There’s something stirring on the banks of the river Lee and it’s nearly a decade since Cork hurling at the minor grade has been in this fine fettle.
Key to their first Electric Ireland Munster GAA Hurling Minor Championship win since 2008 has been their captain, Sean O’Leary-Hayes. The Midleton player is in his second year as a minor and looks to be one of the finest young defenders in the country.
Ross McGarry – Dublin
Ballyboden’s Ross McGarry was the hero for Dublin as his goal put a halt to Kildare’s bid for a fifth successive Leinster final appearance.
His 1-2 that day followed up a two-goal performance in the previous round against Longford and the corner-forward has looked a goal threat every time he gets possession this season.
Brought to you by Electric Ireland. Minor players are embarking on their adult lives, and many are about to finish school and start college. They have hopes and dreams and ambitions, but for this one moment in time, the Electric Ireland Minor Championships is the major thing in their lives. Follow the conversation at #GAAThisIsMajor.
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