It’s a young man’s game.
Change comes. It comes like the wind.
No-one is destined to be at the top forever – not even Dublin. No-one is destined to be at the bottom forever – not even… let’s not go there.
The beauty of the GAA is that no matter how God-awful it might seem at times at the top, everyone can start afresh every single year with their youth products. You can always invest in a future and, if you do it right, your future can be fruitful.
Over the last few years, massive players have been emerging through the underage ranks in various counties. Now is their time to dare to shine on the biggest stage. Now is their time to make the breakthrough to seniors and who better to do that than these lads?
1. Jason McGee (Donegal)
The talented midfielder has been a giant for Donegal minors in the last two years.
He led from the front in 2016 as he dragged them back to Ulster glory, hitting the net in the semi-final before doing the same in the All-Ireland quarters to guide the county into the last four.
He’s a big man, he can fetch a ball and by God he can gallop forward with it. He’s been included in the Donegal McKenna Cup panel straight away. He can make an impact straight away.
2. Desmond Conneely (Galway)
Hit 2-12 in his last four outings for Galway minors in 2016. 2-7 of those were from play – in a Connacht final, an All-Ireland quarter-final, a semi-final, and an All-Ireland final.
His balance is phenomenal. He’ll win a ball out in front and have you turned before you even think of getting a hand on him.
He’s cool in front of the posts, composed in front of the goals and the Moycullen man has all the ingredients to be a future star.
3. Liam Irwin (Mayo)
Brace yourselves, forwards are coming.
Strong, sharp, ruthless. The future of Mayo is in safe hands. Conor Loftus’ talents have already excited the county and there are more of them.
This man can strike from distance, he can pounce from close range and he can spread you on toast if you let him. Hit 2-2 back in April as the westerners clinched the All-Ireland under-21 championship. It’ll take some man to break into the Mayo ranks but if it’s firepower they’re after, the arsenal is being stacked up with boys like Irwin.
4. Con O’Callaghan (Dublin)
Back in 2014, Con O’Callaghan was a precocious talent. He captained the Dublin footballers to the Leinster title, he represented the hurlers on the same stage.
He has since grown into a brute of a man. A skillful man. A frightening man.
O’Callaghan’s exploits with Cuala, hitting goals for fun in the provincial club championship, have seen the county’s hurlers long after what is a sensational talent with a stick in hands. But he’s committed to Jim Gavin’s project and he could be just about to make a move.
5. Danny Tallon (Derry)
Seemed like he was playing minors for about 13 years. Was the sharpshooter for his club Glen Maghera as they embarked on three Ulster minor titles in a row and his name is known all around Derry and farther afield – especially in college’s football.
Lightning quick, he can turn on a sixpence, and he doesn’t need an angle to score. Derry were a whisker away from beating Tipperary last year and booking a place in the quarter-finals. They can use all the help they’ll get now and Damian Barton has recruited Tallon for the McKenna Cup.
6. Peter Kelleher (Cork)
Already making his impact on the Cork team, already starting to spread a little fear around his name. This is Kelleher’s year.
He’s a man beyond his years, he’s a man on a mission.
He lit up the under-21 championship last year, taking the Rebels the whole way to the decider against Mayo. It’s time the senior players of Munster and the rest of the island started feeling the full force of his power.
7. Jimmy Hyland (Kildare)
Kildare are going through a resurgence and men like Jimmy Hyland are front and centre of that impending revolution.
Racks up scores like he’s throwing water down his throat, Hyland lives and breathes early ball and his tractor beam-like accuracy to the posts is unstoppable.
Kicked seven scores as the county clinched Leinster success last year. The more of these men that the Lilywhites produce, the better.
8. Dara Moynihan (Kerry)
@daramoynihan & @gaa_spa on top again! Sem complete 4th Kerry Colleges Cup in a row today @Kerry_Official pic.twitter.com/JuX33HwdQO
— Gary Stack (@GPKerry) October 26, 2016
You’d think he’d be sick of winning things at this stage. The St. Brendan’s captain, the Kerry minor captain, the thrilling young talent has hoovered up championships already as if they were going out of fashion.
His work rate is incredible, his vision, his rampant nature are relentless and his leadership qualities are there for all to see. Moynihan is a proper player – a Kerry player – and he’s one of the finest bits of sparkle in a gleaming production line. He’s going places and he’ll make sure the Kingdom comes along with him.
