JUST as they did in two finals, Derry have pipped Armagh again, this time in numbers of players on the 2024 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Football Team of the Year.
Five young Oak Leafers have been selected, with midfielder and skipper James Sargent named as Minor Star Football Player of the Year, while four Orchard lads make the pick. Connacht champions Mayo and their Munster counterparts Kerry, both beaten in the All-Ireland Minor semi-finals, make up the rest of the team with three players each.
Lavey lad Sargent is joined in the 15 by fellow Derry defenders Ronan Canavan (Brian Ógs, Steelstown) and Luke Grant (Greenlough), and also forwards Eamon Young of Newbridge and forward Dylan Rocks from the Loup.
The four Armagh representatives include two backs – Conall Wilson of St Peter’s, Lurgan and Diarmaid O’Rourke of St Patrick’s, Dromintee, plus Carrickcruppen’s Daithi O’Callaghan in midfield and Eoin Duffy of Culloville Blues in attack.
After an impressive series of big match-ups, it was an all-Ulster All-Ireland final, indeed a repeat of the provincial final, where Derry again took the win over Armagh to become back-to-back Electric Ireland GAA Minor Football champions.
Armagh dominated possession in the first quarter with a hard-fought battle from both sides throughout. With just 10 minutes to go, Derry came back with a killer goal which sealed the deal for the champions at O’Neill’s Healy Park in Omagh.
GAA President Jarlath Burns commented: “I am delighted to congratulate the players selected in this year’s Electric Ireland Minor Star Football Team of the Year.
“Watching the games this season has been thrilling and the showcase of talent at each stage of the championship has been extremely impressive, culminating in an incredibly exciting all-Ulster final. A bright future lies ahead for these players, and I look forward to seeing their development in the GAA over the coming years.
“I am also delighted to congratulate James Sargent of Derry on his fantastic achievement of the 2024 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Football Player of the Year. James’s performance in the final and during the minor championships over the last two seasons, across both hurling and football, make this a much-deserved award.”
The midfielder and captain of his county was a standout player throughout this campaign, scoring a goal in the All-Ireland final as well as being awarded player of the match on the day. With Sargent’s exceptional skill and talent highlighted in this year’s championship, he also featured in last year’s Electric Ireland Minor Star Football Team of the Year, making him a back-to-back Minor champion.
Rob Crabbe, Group Sponsorship & PR Manager at Electric Ireland, said: “We were fortunate to witness another season of outstanding football and thrilling clashes during this year’s Electric Ireland GAA Minor football campaign.
“The level of skill and talent shown throughout each round is a testament to the players’ time and dedication put in across the season.
“Electric Ireland is delighted to announce the 2024 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Football Team of the Year. It is fantastic to celebrate these major moments at the end of each season while also reflecting back on the minor moments we have seen this season that will last these players a lifetime.”
2024 Electric Ireland Football Minor Star Team of the Year
1. Kacper Robak (Kerry and Dr Croke’s)
2. Tom Hession (Mayo and Eastern Gaels)
3. Ronan Canavan (Derry and Brian Ógs Steelstown)
4. Conall Wilson (Armagh and St Peter’s)
5. Luke Grant (Derry and Greenlough)
6. Ben Murphy (Kerry and Austin Stacks)
7. Diarmaid O’Rourke (Armagh and St Patrick’s Dromintee)
8. James Sargent (Derry and Lavey)
9. Dáithí O’Callaghan (Armagh and Carrickcruppen St Patrick’s)
10. Eamon Young (Derry and Newbridge)
11. Kobe McDonald (Mayo and Crossmolina Deel Rovers)
12. Gearóid White (Kerry and John Mitchel’s)
13. Eoin Duffy (Armagh and Culloville Blues)
14. Oisín Deane (Mayo and Crossmolina Deel Rovers)
15. Dylan Rocks (Derry and Loup)