THERE are nine Antrim players included in the 36th Danske Bank Ulster schools’ All-star hurling team announced yesterday afternoon at the Dub.
After winning their first Danske Bank Mageean Cup title in six decades, St Killian’s Garron Tower went on to lift the Masita All-Ireland Paddy Buggy All-Ireland title with a 4-13 to 0-13 victory over Blackwater CS from Waterford last month. They have six players included in the All-star team.
There are second successive awards for team captain Joseph McLaughlin and Player of the Match winner for both the provincial and All-Ireland finals Cormac McKeown while McLaughlin’s brother Thomas is named as goalkeeper. It is the first time that two siblings have been named in the same All-star team.
The other three Garron Tower All-stars are under 19 All-Ireland judo champion Colla Ward in defence, Callagh Mooney in midfield and forward Orrin O’Connor who fired home two of the goals in the All-Ireland final victory three weeks ago.
Joseph McLaughlin has had a whirlwind few months, helping Ruairí Óg Cushendall to Antrim and Ulster club titles. He then made his Antrim senior debut as sub against Dublin with a point and a week later marked his first start with a goal against Galway. He and McKeown are both included in the Antrim’s senior panel for the upcoming Leinster Hurling Championship tournament.
In addition to the St Killian’s pair there are four others picking up a second All-star including Cross & Passion defenders Liam Glackin and Ben McGarry. Cross and Passion was the only team this season to deny St Killian’s a goal, losing the Mageean Cup final by 0-17 to 0-13 at the Dub.
The other two double All-stars are Slaughtneil’s Fionn McEldowney who captained Derry to the All-Ireland minor football title and Ballygalget’s Shea Pucci from Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s Knock whose older brother Eoin won an award in 2022.
The ninth Antrim All-star is corner-forward Fionn Jemfrey from Sarsfield’s and St Mary’s CBGS Belfast.
As well as the nine Antrim players in the team, there are three from Derry and one each for Tyrone, Armagh and Down.
Jimmy Smyth, chairman of Ulster schools’ GAA, said:
“Congratulations to all of our young footballers and hurlers who have been selected this year as Ulster Schools’ All Stars, joining a long list of talented players, many of whom have made and are still making waves in the world of GAA.
“This year also, we have some young sportsmen collecting these awards for the second year in a row, a fantastic achievement! This certainly emphasises their selection last year and sees them carving a unique niche in the history of our awards, now in their 36th year!
“We express once again our gratitude to our sponsors Danske Bank for their continued support of our games at all levels and indeed their involvement in our All-star scheme.”
Oonagh Murtagh, Head of South Business Centre at Danske Bank said:
“At Danske Bank, we’ve been passionate about helping our society thrive since our beginnings 200 years ago. One way we do that is through our youth sports sponsorships with Ulster Schools GAA, Ulster Schools’ Cup Rugby and the Northern Ireland Football Association.
“The Ulster Schools All Stars is a fantastic, long-standing initiative that recognises outstanding sportsmanship across Gaelic football and hurling each year – and something we’re really proud to be a part of. This year’s GAA competitions have show-cased the very best of our young players. It’s a real testament to how our young footballers and hurlers have been nurtured and developed throughout their school sporting career.
“The commitment and dedication to even be nominated for an All Star is immense, and we’d like to congratulate all of the players selected to participate in the trials as well as the remarkable 30 individuals who made the two All Star teams this year.”
The 15 players selected for the 2023-24 Danske Bank All-star hurling team are:
1. Thomas McLaughlin, St Killian’s Garron Tower
2. Jack Loughran, St Patrick’s Keady
3. Cathal Ó Mianáin, Gaelcholáiste Dhoire
4. Colla Ward, St Killian’s Garron Tower
5. Liam Glackin, Cross & Passion Ballycastle
6. Ben McGarry, Cross & Passion Ballycastle
7. Fionn McEldowney, St Patrick’s Maghera
8. Charlie Curley, St Mary’s Magherafelt
9. Callagh Mooney, St Killian’s Garron Tower
10. Leo Hughes, St Joseph’s Donaghmore
11. Cormac McKeown, St Killian’s Garron Tower
12. Orrin O’Connor, St Killian’s Garron Tower
13. Fionn Jemfrey, St Mary’s Belfast
14. Joseph McLaughlin, St Killian’s Garron Tower
15. Shea Pucci, Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s Knock