Jack Bryant has been named as the EirGrid Under-20 Player of the Year after starring in Offaly’s recent All-Ireland success.
Shamrocks clubman Bryant, the goalscoring hero in both the semi-final and final wins over Cork and Roscommon respectively, is also one of six Offaly players chosen for an EirGrid 20 Under-20 award alongside his teammates Lee Pearson, John Furlong, Cathal Flynn, Cathal Donoghue and Cormac Egan.
And Offaly manager Declan Kelly has been chosen as EirGrid Manager of the Year after masterminding the county’s first All-Ireland success at that grade since 1988.
Runners-up Roscommon have four players chosen while respective Munster and Ulster champions Cork and Down have three each on what is essentially a list of the 20 standout players from this year’s competition. Beaten provincial finalists Tipperary, Dublin, Monaghan and Mayo each have one player on the honoured.
GAA president Larry McCarthy commented: “Congratulations to all the recipients who received awards. I also congratulate all the players and management who took part in this year’s EirGrid GAA Under-20 Football Championship. You made it one that will be remembered for years to come.
“The players are following a well-worn and proven pathway in making the step from underage to senior status and football's rich history shows how these competitions help nurture and develop the senior stars of tomorrow. I look forward to seeing these young stars progress in the near future.”
The full EirGrid 20 Under-20 list is as follows: Tom Smyth (Down), Charlie Smyth (Down), Lee Pearson (Offaly), John Furlong (Offaly), Colin Walsh (Roscommon), Paddy Gavin (Roscommon), Diarmaid Phelan (Cork), Ruairí Keane (Mayo), Rory Dwyer (Dublin), Cathal Flynn (Offaly), Cathal Donoghue (Offaly), Cormac Egan (Offaly), Jack Bryant (Offaly), Daire Cregg (Roscommon), James Fitzpatrick (Roscommon), Seán Jones (Monaghan), Shealan Johnston (Down), Jack Cahalane (Cork), David Buckley (Cork), Seán O'Connor (Tipperary).
