ONE OUTCOME IS certain ahead of Friday week’s AllStar award ceremony, and that is that the 2014 GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year award will not be going to an All-Ireland medallist.
The Donegal duo of Paddy McBrearty and Ryan McHugh will be hopeful that as in 2012 when Cillian O’Connor picked up the gong, this year’s award will be going to an All-Ireland finalist.
While out west Shane Walsh will be hoping to be the first player to collect the award having not featured in an All-Ireland decider in five years, since Michael Murphy won in 2009.
It’s a hard one to call, all three are merited winners – but who will be crowned The Young Footballer of the Year?
We make a case for each of the nominees:
Shane Walsh
Walsh lit up this year’s championship with some breathtaking displays of skill, and courage as the 21-year-old was the focal point of Galway’s attack in what really was his breakthrough season.
Entirely two footed, with fantastic awareness and balance the centre forward scored some spectacular points from play and frees – including five excellent scores against Kerry in the All-Ireland quarter final.
Building on the potential shown for the county minor team, and the U21 All-Ireland winning team in 2013, Walsh centred an exciting looking young Galway team this summer and his stand out performances against the All-Ireland champions, plus his seven points against last year’s runners-up Mayo means he is certainly not beneath the award.
Ryan McHugh
Much of the pre-championship talk surrounded older brother Mark, although it was Ryan who left his print on the 2014 championship following some excellent hard working and creative performances, not to mention some vital goals.
Ryan’s biggest impact came with his two goals against 2013 All-Ireland champions Dublin in this year’s semi final, but the young man had been displaying his quality throughout the senior and U21 championships this year.
Not to mention the 1-5 and man of the match performance for his club Kilccar’s in their All-Ireland Senior Gaeltacht triumph last June.
Conducting proceeding from number six for the U21 team who reached this year’s Ulster final, to rotating between the half forward and half back line for Jim McGuinness’ senior team – McHugh has brought the same energy nonetheless throughout 2014.
Patrick McBrearty
McBrearty may not have started every match for Donegal this year, but as the game becomes more and more panel orientated the powerfully built corner forward arguably remained Donegal’s most crucial scoring forward.
Earlier in the year he managed half of his side’s total in the Ulster U21 final loss to Cavan, and while the 2013 International rules attacker may not have entirely thrived when handed a starting jersey this summer, he certainly had the desired effect when introduced as a substitute.
The Kilcar man, a club team mate of fellow nominee McHugh, came on to score three points in Donegal’s Ulster final triumph, while his two late points against Armagh in the All-Ireland quarter final put his team into the semi final.
McBrearty also managed two points against both Dublin and Kerry when introduced off the bench. He finished the All-Ireland final as Donegal’s top scorer from play and the games’ top point scorer outside of placed balls.
