Mayo Under 21s are The Connaught Telegraph's top male team of the year

MAYO'S status as a super power of Gaelic football may have taken a bit of a battering in 2016 due to the debacle surrounding the All-Ireland senior football final replay against Dublin.

However, what should not be forgotten is the performance of the county Under 21 football team, who claimed fifth their All-Ireland title back in May, having previously won it in 1967, 1974, 1983 and 2006.

It was an interesting journey for this group of players under inspirational captain, Stephen Coen, and it shines a light of genuine hope for the future of Mayo football at senior level with many of these players already making an impact on the senior stage and more of them likely to move up the ranks in the season ahead.

Winning an All-Ireland at any level is tough but in this grade coming through your province is always fraught with danger with teams like Roscommon and Galway lurking in the long grass.

Mayo negotiated some tough obstacles to win the Connaught title and then go on to Dublin in the All-Ireland semi-final.

Their mettle was fully tested before they overcame Dublin to qualify for an All-Ireland final meeting with Cork, a county who have a huge tradition in football in this grade.

Mayo produced the goods on the day with what was generally regarded as a fine team performance peppered with some outstanding individual brilliance.

For their work and dedication through the year and their commitment and sacrifices they made to reach their ultimate goal, the Mayo Under 21 All-Ireland winning team have been named as the top male team of the year in The Connaught Telegraph Young Sports Stars team of the year award.

The team and management will be honoured at the awards banquet in Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar, on Friday night, February 10.