Spring is coming.
And with the changing of the seasons comes the chance for club players across the country to push all the way to the steps of the Hogan Stand for AIB All-Ireland club glory.
With many sides in preseason, some clubs and players are still playing the 2015 campaign as they hunt down the chance to play on the biggest stage of all.
The first All-Ireland club game of 2016 took place on Sunday as the All-Ireland junior club championships resumed in Birmingham, so we’ve taken a look at the best players at intermediate and junior level who will be hearing an awful lot more about before the All-Ireland finals at the beginning of February.
Killian Spillane – Templenoe
The nephew of the legendary Kerry forward Pat Spillane grabbed 1-3 in Sunday’s narrow win over John Mitchels of Liverpool to continue his fine form at club and county level.
The All-Ireland minor winner with the Kingdom in 2014 is rated as one of the finest forwards to emerge from the southwest in years, and his blistering pace wasn’t slowed by the muddy conditions in Birmingham.
All Ireland Junior Quarter Final (1st,21m) Templenoe 1-4 John Mitchels 0-1 killian Spillane goal
— Templenoe GAA (@Templenoeabu) January 10, 2016
He’s easy to pick out as one of the famous Kerry clan with his crop of flowing blonde hair, and Spillane is ably assisted by his cousins from the rest of the footballing dynasty from just outside Kenmare.
He scored two points in the Munster club win over Coolmeen from the number 15 position, and his ability to link play and take heavy physical punishment makes him a key weapon for the Munster champions.
Curraha have been warned for their All-Ireland semi-final.
Barry McGoldrick – Eoghan Rua
Thomas Magee may have gotten the all-important goal earlier this month against Fullen Gaels in the All-Ireland junior club hurling quarter-final, but the Derry club’s centre-back was the key to victory.
The 30-year-old pitched in with a point himself in the 1-11 to 0-6 win, and the dual star has been one of the best players in Ulster club football and hurling over the last decade.
Final score 1-11 to0-6
up the Roes— EoghanRua (@EoghanRua) November 7, 2015
His age means he lends a serious edge of experience and ‘Derry toughness’ to a fine hurling side, and his inter county knowledge in both codes has proved vital on more than one occasion.
He has been in Croke Park before when his football team-mates lost out to Ardfert in an All-Ireland decider in 2007. He is determined to go one better in 2016.
Aaron Shanagher – Wolfe Tones
Fresh from minor #hurling semi final success & even fresher now..Aaron Shanagher & Brian Conway of @wtnsgaa pic.twitter.com/gtWJupftfa
— BrianE. (@CryoClinicEnnis) September 12, 2015
His namesake Aaron Cunningham may be the team captain, but the 18-year-old corner-forward has arguably been the star of his club’s Munster success.
Cunningham at full-forward may be the better-known attacker, but the teenager has been a revelation since the club reached the wide open spaces of the provincial series.
In the Munster final win over Newcestown he scored nine points, with 0-7 from placed balls, while he also lit up the semi-final win over Bruree.
Aaron Shanagher point – his eighth to put five up but @NewcestownGAA goal and it's back to two.
— Joe Ó Muirċeartaiġ (@muirioch) November 21, 2015
Winter hurling may not suit his undoubted talents, but with the free count always higher in January and February, the teenager is likely to profit from any ill-discipline from Bennetsbridge later this month.
Joey Wallace – Ratoath
A feature of the Meath champions’ progress to the last four of the All-Ireland series has been their goalscoring, and any one of their six forwards are capable of a man-of-the-match performance.
However, the club almost always look to Joey Wallace to lead them in tough times, and the former Meath minor and now senior footballer has all the hallmarks of a top-class club player.
It’s probably unfair to single one Wallace brother out over another, but when you need skill, strength and, crucially, experience, Joey is the man to call for.
@JOEdotie @AIB_GAA A great win with a great bunch of lads #agreatday #leinsterchamps #TheToughest #ratoath pic.twitter.com/oAdKd01xEe
— Keith Mccabe (@keithomac95) November 28, 2015
Always worth at least a point or two in every game, he is a key man for the club ahead of their All-Ireland semi-final later this month against Bryan Sheehan’s St Mary’s.
Paul Flaherty – Abbeyknockmoy
Image: Joe Keane via flickr
He may only have scored two points in the All-Ireland club win this month over Robert Emmets, but that was due to an early knee injury suffered in the narrow win over the exiles.
Our championship came to an end today, unfortunately, after a hard battle with @Abbey_Hurling. Congratulations and best of luck in the semi.
— Robert Emmetts GAA (@R_EmmettsLondon) November 21, 2015
His influence, along with brother Brian, is key to the Galway team’s success over the last number of months as they beat a powerful Moycullen side in the county final.
The Flahertys are the natural leaders on the team and it will take some effort from Creggan Kickhams to keep both men quiet.
If it can be done, they will be halfway to a major shock.
Stephen Coen – Hollymount Carramore
He won’t be known to anyone outside of Mayo but the 20-year-old has the chance to become a breakout star for club and county this season.
The youngster is the lynchpin of a newly-formed club side that are enjoying provincial success for the very first time.
The key man in the provincial triumph over Maigh Cuilinn, the midfielder fed cousin Darren to kick four points in the narrow win.
