With another footballing season drawing to a close, Shaun Casey looks at the bright young stars that lit up the championship

Dylan Byrne (Monaghan)

IN his first season with the Monaghan seniors, the Magheracloone youngster grabbed a hold of the number four jersey and retained his corner-back spot throughout the season. He slotted right into the starting team during the league and gave a Player of the Match display in the Division Two league final when Gabriel Bannigan’s men crowned promotion by winning the league title.

Oisin Conaty (Armagh)

LAST year’s Young Footballer of the Year was arguably better this season. Conaty was so impressive on so many occasions for Armagh and often carried the fight when others around him were wilting. He was by far and away Armagh’s best player in the Ulster final, notching 0-6 from open play and again stood up to be counted in the All-Ireland quarter-final versus Kerry, finishing with 0-6 as well.

Finnbarr Roarty (Donegal)

A SUPERSTAR in the making, Jim McGuinness has had his eye on Roarty from a long way out. McGuinness played his Naomh Conaill clubmate in the McKenna Cup last year, although he was too young to play senior inter-county football. Roarty stood on the sidelines for an entire season but when the chance came for him to break in and make his mark, Roarty hasn’t held back, and he’s been magnificent this all year.

Ciaran Caulfield (Meath)

NO matter what happens for the rest of the season, Ciaran Caulfield has experienced a year to remember. He captained DCU to Sigerson Cup success in February and has been one of the rocks that Robbie Brennan has built his Meath team on. The young Trim defender has featured in all 15 of Meath’s league and championship games to date this year and is the Royals vice-captain.

Ciarán Moore (Donegal)

MOORE was in the running for Young Footballer of the Year last season after an impressive breakthrough campaign and the Letterkenny youngster has gone from strength to strength. His running power is outstanding from wing half-back and Moore’s late winner against Mayo, which knocked the Westerners out of the competition, just showed that killer instinct he has as well.

Darragh McMullen (Armagh)

MCMULLEN has been on the fringes of the Armagh panel for the last couple of years, but he finally got his chance this season. Looked comfortable plying his trade at the top tier in the league and carried that good form into the championship. McMullen is a ferocious worker in the half-forward line and the Madden clubman did chip in with a few scores throughout the campaign as well.

Eoghan Frayne (Meath)

AT just 22 years of age, Eoghan Frayne is the captain of a Meath side that are reaching for the stars. The young attacker is one of a number of newbies that are dragging the Royals back to the top table and last weekend’s win over Galway was a hugely significant one. Frayne, who played in the Leinster Championship for the first time last season, kicked a point in that 2-16 to 2-15 triumph over the Tribesmen.

Niall Devlin (Tyrone)

DEVLIN captained Tyrone to All-Ireland u-20 honours in 2022 and made his name at senior level with the Red Hand County last season. He’s slotted right into the defence and his reputation as one of the best young talents in the country has only grown further. He was among the scorers last weekend and chipped in with a second-half point as Malachy O’Rourke’s men saw off Dublin by seven.

Matthew Thompson (Galway)

PROVIDED such a bright spark in the Galway forward line this season and was consistently on top of his game. The Salthill‑Knocknacarra sharpshooter hit 1-12 in the championship and put in a tremendous Player of the Match display against Down as Pádraic Joyce’s side saw off the Mournemen in Newry. While much of Galway’s forward line is centred around Shane Walsh and Damien Comer, Thompson is certainly up there with the best they have.

Conor Duke (Meath)

DUKE has slotted into Robbie Brennan’s starting 15 and is one of a number of young players that have excelled in the green and gold this year. He fired home a late major against Westmeath in the league, displaying that killer instinct in front of the goals, and has chipped in with important scores throughout the year. He won an Leinster U-20 title with Meath last season and is one to watch for the future.