Electric Ireland 2021 Minor Football Team of the Year announced
Electric Ireland, sponsors of the GAA minor championships, has shone a spotlight on 15 outstanding performers from the 2021 football season, unveiling the 2021 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Football Team of the Year, the Electric Ireland Minor Football Player of the Year and the Electric Ireland Minor Special Recognition Award winners.
The 2021 Electric Ireland minor football championship ensured a return of some major moments back into these young players' lives and reminded everyone that there is nothing minor about the games.
This year’s Electric Ireland Minor Football Team of the Year features eight players from All-Ireland champions Meath, five from All-Ireland finalists Tyrone, and one each from semi-finalists Cork and Sligo.
Meath's Conor Ennis has been named the 2021 Electric Ireland Minor Football Player of the Year after consistently brilliant displays throughout the season and having a major contribution to the Royal County’s wining point in the All-Ireland final.
The team was selected by a panel of GAA experts and was determined in part by Electric Ireland’s ‘Player of the Week’ initiative on Twitter.
The team in full is: Daniel Walsh (Cork and Douglas); Conor Ennis (Meath and Ballinabrackey), Liam Kelly (Meath and Ratoath), Callan Kelly (Tyrone and Cookstown); Tomás Corbett (Meath and Ratoath), Shea O’Hare (Tyrone and Ardboe), Shaun Leonard (Meath and Naomh Colmcille); Ruairí McHugh (Tyrone and Coalisland), Jack Kinlough (Meath and St. Peter’s, Dunboyne); Cormac Devlin (Tyrone and Ardboe), Seán Emmanuel (Meath and St. Patrick’s), Ronan Cassidy (Tyrone and Donaghmore); Hughie Corcoran (Meath and Drumbaragh Emmets), Oisín Ó Murchú (Meath and Naomh Colmcille), Luke Marren (Sligo and Bunninadden).
The 2021 minor championships also saw the return of the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Special Recognition Awards, recognising those minor players who stepped up and a made life-changing contributions to our society.
The winner of the 2021 Electric Ireland Minor Football Special Recognition Award is the Moynalty/Carnaross minor panel who took part in a 1,200km walk/run during five days of lockdown, when training was not possible, to raise funds for Jigsaw – who help young people suffering from emotional, mental health and addiction problems.
The fundraiser – entitled Minor for Minors – raised over €5,000 for Jigsaw and raised awareness of the charity’s services amongst the young people in the community, who may find need to avail of those services in the future.
Brand, PR and sponsorship manager at Electric Ireland, Sarah Sharkey, commented: “We are delighted to announce the 2021 Electric Ireland Minor Football Team of the Year. This season, we were happy to welcome back families and friends to stadiums across Ireland to watch these incredibly talented young players and ensure that major moments returned to their lives.
“We recognise it has been no minor journey to get here and we would like to commend every player who played a part in the 2021 Electric Ireland Minor Championships for their hard work and determination over the season. We have no doubt that everyone who participated will feel the positive impact of the minor championship for years to come.”
Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy added: “I would like to congratulate the Electric Ireland Minor Football Team of the Year and specifically Conor Ennis, the Electric Ireland Minor Football Player of the Year, on their achievements during the 2021 season. The level of talent on display during this year’s minor football championship has been incredible and I have no doubt many of these young men will go on to have a significant impact on their counties for many years to come.
“It has been a privilege to watch them perform to such a high level during the 2021 season. A special thanks also goes to the parents of all minor players and also the coaches who have moulded and mentored these young men into the people they are today. I would also like to congratulate the Moynalty/Carnaross panel who went above and beyond for their local community by raising life changing funds for Jigsaw. They epitomise what the minor championships are about and they are a credit to our great games.”
The Electric Ireland Minor Hurling Team of the Year, Hurling Player of the Year and Special Recognition Award winners for hurling were announced on September 8 last.