Electric Ireland has revealed its picks for 2020s minor hurling team of the year and the minor special recognition award.
Official sponsors of the GAA, Electric Ireland have officially announced their team and player of the year. Six counties make up the list with Limerick (3), Kilkenny (3), Offaly (1), Westmeath (1) and Tipperary (1) all represented.
Galway forward Liam Collins was named the 2020 minor player of the year after some outstanding performances. Collins earned the award after a man of the match performance in the all-Ireland final against Kilkenny scoring 1-7.
The Cappataggle man has amassed a total of 3-14 for the year.
The forward joins fellow Galway teammates Adam Nolan, Michael Walsh, and Tiernan Killeen in the honours list.
Upon the reveal of the team of the year, GAA president Larry McCarthy said: “I would like to congratulate the Electric Ireland Minor Hurling Team of the Year and specifically Liam Collins, the Electric Ireland Minor Hurling Player of the Year, on their incredible achievements during the 2020 Minor Hurling season.
"I have been very impressed by the level of maturity which the players have showcased all year, the players have shown immense character throughout the season and I am confident in the future of our great games having witnessed, first hand, the extraordinary talent these players possess."
Electric Ireland has also announced the winners of the minor special recognition award, which were revealed today. Each province had a winner for one or more outstanding contributions over the past year.
From Leinster, Meath’s Ciarán Caulfield was awarded after organising a 500 km run for the “Do It For Dan” campaign.
From Munster, Limerick Keeper Thomas Lynch was nominated having served as a mentor and coach to students of Doon C.B.S. in Limerick.
Hailing from Connacht, Strokestown Jack Beirne and Andrew Jordan and St. Barry’s GFC, Mark Rodgers have also been announced. The three made outstanding efforts having raised over 60k for the childhood cancer foundation.
From Ulster Antrim’s Michael Quinn, Josh Schnell, Shane McKenna, and Niall Óg McGuigan from Ruairí Óg Cushendall GAA club were awarded. The three boys were hailed after saving a family in distress while swimming at the beach.
President Larry McCarthy continued by acknowledging the young minors acts of heroics and generosity.
“We were also delighted to celebrate their accomplishments off-the-pitch recognising the major impact the minor players had on their communities through the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Special Recognition awards.
Both awards demonstrate the positive impact partaking in the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Championships has long after the championship ends.”
Minor Hurling Team of the Year
1. Tomás Lynch (Limerick)
2. Zach Bay Hammond (Kilkenny)
3. Adam Nolan (Galway)
4. Michael Walsh (Galway)
5. Joe Fitzpatrick (Kilkenny)
6. Tiernan Killeen (Galway)
7. Luke Shanahan (Tipperary)
8. Liam Leen (Galway)
9. Eamonn Cunneen (Westmeath)
10. Lochlann Quinn (Offaly)
11. Adam English (Limerick)
12.Billy Drennan (Kilkenny)
13. Shane O’Brien (Limerick)
14. Liam Collins (Galway)
15. Colm Molloy (Galway)
