Connaught Telegraph Super League Team of the Year

TYNAN’S TAKE: By Stuart Tynan

The idea was to do this following the completion of the remaining finals. But with those three finals in Milebush on hold until February at the earliest, perhaps it's time we take a look at the best of the Elverys Sports Super League in 2021.

Following Ballyheane's historic maiden league title, it is no surprise that they dominate the list, filling seven of the positions. Many of these positions were quite straightforward to fill, while one or two required some real thought. Like any team of the year, it is an entirely subjective exercise and no doubt one or two players will feel hard done by.

A 4-3-1-2 formation has been used for this team and as well as the overall pick(s) in each position, others who missed out will get an honourable mention. So without further ado....

GOALKEEPER

Westport United's Gary Cunningham continues to excel and his recent call-up to the Irish amateur squad is no surprise, while Ballyheane's John Vahey and Ballyhaunis Town's Michael Goulding also enjoyed impressive league seasons.

But Ballina Town's Emmet Peyton stood above the rest. He's had a distinguished career, playing with Sligo Rovers, Shelbourne and Nottingham Forest. He demonstrated real leadership from the back this season for the Town, and pulled off some huge saves.

FULL-BACKS

The most straightforward of choices. The Ballyheane duo of Jack Rochford on the right and Dara Ludden on the left played a major part in the club's success. Ludden has transitioned from his previous duties further up the field to left-back like a fish to water. Rochford is as adept in his defensive responsibilities as he is further up the pitch, as well as being one of the most reliable penalty takers in the Mayo League.

Mikey O'Brien (Westport United) continues to be one of the Covies top performers this season while Dean O'Malley (Ballyglass) was a shining light in a disappointing year for the club, following relegation to the Premier League.

CENTRE-HALVES

One of these picks was simple although the other required some deliberation.

Jack Tuffy (Ballyheane) was not just the best defender at the club, he was the best in the league. He hardly put a foot wrong this season and was one the most consistent performers on any team. A Player of the Year contender, no doubt (more on that later).

His partner is slightly more tricky. Ioseph O'Reilly (Castlebar Celtic), Joe Lawless (Westport United), Cillian Redmond (Ballyheane) and Adrian Rowland (Glenhest Rovers) were all excellent for large periods of the season, but the nod goes to Ballina Town's Chris Moore.

Following his transfer from Manulla, he hasn't missed a beat and the triangle he formed with Peyton and centre-back partner Dan Gorman in the second half of the season was outstanding.

MIDFIELD

A couple of the picks for the middle of the field immediately sprung to mind while the final member of the three gave the most consideration in picking this team.

The Ballyheane duo of Sean Kilcoyne and Michael Fahy have been excellent all year. Ballyheane captain Kilcoyne has been one of the unsung players in recent years but his consistency and leadership have been instrumental in his sides charge. Alongside him, Fahy has been a physically imposing presence alongside him, complimenting his own physicality with underrated skill with the ball at his feet.

There were a few contenders for the final position. Oisin and Finnian Brady (Claremorris), Chris Rowland (Glenhest Rovers), Paddy Bourke (Ballyheane) and Caoimhín O'Toole (Westport United) all had merits for inclusion.

But the decision goes to the Brady's teammate, Danny Broderick. The former Longford Town and Galway United player may now be one of the elder statesmen among a youthful Claremorris unit, but his experience and leadership were crucial in guiding his teammates to third place in the league.

THE 'LINK'

To be in this role, you need to be a creator. A scorer. A bit of everything, really. There is one person in the league who fits that description perfectly, and that is Ballyheane's Liam Irwin.

He has been one of Ballyheane's, and the Super League’s, best players all year, and his goals and assists have been crucial in Ballyheane winning the Super League.

A special mention must also go to Ballyhaunis Town's inspirational captain Andy Cunnane. Without his goals, assists and overall play, they would most certainly have gone down to the Premier League.

ATTACK

A very high standard of quality strikers means a lot of big hitters are going to feel hard done by. Jason Hunt (Castlebar Celtic) and Jamie Cawley (Ballina Town) were scoring goals for fun in the early stages of the season, but both miss out due to injuries in the latter half while Aidan Dunleavy (Manulla), James Devaney (Swinford), and Mark Maloney (Claremorris) are ones to watch for the future following some electric displays.

The picks go to Ben Edeh (Ballyheane) and Benny Lavelle (Ballina Town). Edeh's goalscoring record is impressive but the timing of some of his match-winners has been exceptional, and what more you can say about Benny? His consistency year on year has been tremendous and the conversation about him cannot be now just where he ranks in Ballina Town's list of greatest strikers, but the Mayo League in general.

Connaught Telegraph Super League Team of the Year: Emmet Peyton (Ballina Town); Jack Rochford (Ballyheane), Jack Tuffy (Ballyheane), Chris Moore (Ballina Town), Dara Ludden (Ballyheane); Sean Kilcoyne (Ballyheane), Michael Fahy (Ballyheane), Danny Broderick (Claremorris); Liam Irwin (Ballyheane), Ben Edeh (Ballyheane), Benny Lavelle (Ballina Town).

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

All three of these awards (Manager of the Year, Young and Player of the Year) are all going the way of the league champions.

Manager of the Year is the easiest of the lot. Ashley Stevenson has done a simply wonderful job in guiding his side through an unbeaten league campaign and will forever have the honour as the first manager to bring the Tom Kelly Cup to Pat Quigley Park.

Mentions must also go to Mark Beattie (Ballina Town) whose ensured his side took the title race to the penultimate game while Paul Burke (Claremorris) and Niall Richardson (Ballyhaunis Town) also deserve praise.

Young Player of the Year could go to any one of Ballyheane's youthful side. Jack Rochford, Michael Fahy and Dara Ludden all have a serious shout, but Ludden gets the nod.

Player of the Year comes to down to one of three men: Jack Tuffy, Ben Edeh and Liam Irwin. You can certainly make a case for all three men but for big moments at the right times throughout the season, Edeh gets the honour.

*You can read Stuart's full column every Tuesday in our print edition.