FOR THE SECOND year running, Derry’s Ethan Doherty had been included in the shortlist for the PwC GAA-GPA Young Footballer of the Year.
He is joined by his county team mate Eoin McEvoy, who was competing in school’s football only last year for St Mary’s Magherafelt, and Roscommon’s new goalkeeping sensation, Conor Carroll.
Doherty was once again an important part of the Derry team machine and had a sparkling campaign, including scoring a goal 45 seconds into their league win over Meath. He went straight back into the Derry team as soon as he was finished with his club, Glen, who successfully defended the Derry title before winning the Ulster title and losing the All-Ireland final in controversial circumstances to Kilmacud Crokes.
Eoin McEvoy’s inclusion in Derry teams at full-back, despite his youth, has allowed Brendan Rogers to move to midfield, where he has flourished enough to make the shortlist of the Footballer of the Year.
Carroll has proved himself to be a superb acquisition by Roscommon. He had previously played for Pádraic Joyce with the Galway U20s, and plays for the Oranmore-Maree club. However, he is a nephew of Roscommon county board chairman Brian Carroll and proved himself to be a top-class operator in an important season for Davy Burke’s side.
No player from either Derry or Roscommon has ever won the award before. The award will be based on a vote exclusively taken by inter-county players.
As a Dub we have had some serious battles over the past 5 years with mayo and I don’t like them but I have huge admiration for them and there players. 50/50 next Saturday really looking forward to it.
It was a very good game, I don’t think the conditions had too much of an effect. Mayo surprised me big time, I sincerely thought they would not be at this stage of the championship after last years heartache but they are and they seem to be getting better with every game. If they had one more forward of the calibre of Moran they’d be very hard to beat. Kerry on the other hand had to rely on their vast experience to counter-act a sub-par performance, are they as bad as they were yesterday or was it just a blip? Anyway, hopefully the replay will be as good a game, look forward as a neutral to another enthralling game.
Interesting. The Kerry full back line looked like a herd of sheep going into a field for the first time. Maybe a billy could help them out instead of Tomas’ buddy.
Agree with some of the analysis but for me Mayo pushed up and hadnt the legs to get back to defend as we will see Tyrone and Dublin will filter back. I thought Moran was outstanding for Kerry. Its 50/50 for the replay but Mayo by one for me so the Dubs can beat them in another Final pg.
@Vinny Hughes: I didn’t know the other semi final was already played!
@Vinny Hughes:
Remember the red HAND OF ULSTER Vinny .your not there to beat anyone yet ,,,!!!!!!!’