13 young Gaelic footballers to watch in 2017

[GalwayBayBoy]

http://www.the42.ie/13-young-footballers-to-watch-2017-3167052-Jan2017/

AS FANS EAGERLY await the start of the 2017 pre-season competitions, it's a time to keep an eye out for some new talent in many county squads.
Before Christmas, inter-county managers up and down the country announced winter training panels, with former underage stars included and carrying the hope of glory with them into the new year.
Here, we take a look at 13 players, some who have already made an impression in the senior inter-county ranks, who will be targeting big seasons in 2017.
As always, we're looking for your feedback on who are the rising young stars to keep an eye out for this year.

1. Colm Basquel (Dublin)

Con O'Callaghan is tipped as a player to watch for Dublin's footballers in the coming years, having expressed his preference for the big ball code.
But with O'Callaghan on club hurling duty with Cuala next month, and possibly in March also, we've chosen Colm Basquel as a player to watch from the Dublin set-up.
2016 was a super year for Basquel, who crowned Ballyboden's march to AIB All-Ireland senior club glory with an All-Ireland final goal.
He also won a Leinster U21 medal with Dublin and made the bench for the senior final replay victory over Mayo.

2. Mark Bradley (Tyrone)

Mark Bradley's star is very much on the rise and when his club Killyclogher stormed to Tyrone senior football glory, he scored eight points in the replay victory over Coalisland Fianna.
That haul brought Bradley's championship tally to 0-30, and saw him finish the campaign as the competition's top scorer.
A 2012 All-Ireland minor medallist, Bradly made his League and championship debuts at senior level in 2015.
Still a young player, Bradley has already amassed a formidable haul of honours that includes All-Ireland medals at minor and U21 levels, as well as that county SFC win with his club.

3. Conor Loftus (Mayo)

Mayo's agonising collapse in the All-Ireland final replay against Dublin once again highlighted the need to unearth at least one more reliable scoring forward.
Conor Loftus could be the man to step in and make an impact as he was Mayo's matchwinner at U21 level against the Dubs in 2016.
Loftus nailed a late point to send Mayo through to the All-Ireland decider, before he scored 2-2 in the final victory against Cork.
Loftus also made an early impression in the senior championship, replacing black-carded Cillian O'Connor against London in Ruislip, and scoring 1-2 in a comfortable victory.

4. Liam Casey (Tipperary)

Steven O'Brien's decision to remain with the hurlers and Peter Acheson's move to Dubai has left Tipperary manager Liam Kearns with a midfield conundrum.
Who partners George Hannigan in the Premier County engine room is a question that will be answered in the coming weeks and months but Liam Casey is a live contender.
A 2015 Munster U21 medallist, Cahir man Casey won a Sigerson Cup with UCD last year.
His decision to leave for America was a big blow for Kearns but Casey is back and very much part of the manager's plans for the 2017 season.

5. Sean Powter (Cork)

Sean Powter is a busy forward with keen eye for goal, but also a creator of scores.
The Douglas clubman made his U21 debut in the 2016 EirGrid Munster final victory over Kerry before going off injured.
The Douglas player was back for the All-Ireland semi-final victory against Monaghan, creating Peter Kelleher's goal, hitting the post and chipping in with three points.
A prodigious talent, Powter was a key player for St Francis College, Rochestown, as they contested Harty Cup and Corn Uí Mhuirí finals in 2015, before representing the county in both codes at minor level.
Powter made his senior championship debut last year and should see plenty of game time in 2017.

6. Jason Foley (Kerry)

With a rich conveyor belt churning out promising young talent, Jason Foley is certainly one to watch.
Full-back for the Kerry U21s last year, Foley occupied the same position on the All-Ireland minor winning team of 2015.
Foley is a member of Eamonn Fitzmaurice's senior squad and is a two-time All-Ireland minor medallist, also winning the title in 2014.
Fitzmaurice hasn't been shy about giving youth its fling and we could also see the likes of Killian Spillane, Gavin White and goalkeeper Shane Murphy at some stage in the season, although White and Murphy are currently club-tied with Dr. Crokes.

7. Luke Flynn (Kildare)

Luke Flynn, an U21 player with Kildare last year, is one of several call-ups to senior manager Cian O'Neill's panel for the 2017 season.
The Johnstownbridge player is a highly-rated midfielder who featured in defence during the 2016 O'Byrne Cup campaign.
Flynn is one to watch as O'Neill decided to freshen up his backroom staff and panel ahead of the new year.
Luke is younger brother of fellow Kildare player Daniel, who has previous AFL experience.

8. Paul Kingston (Laois)

A new broom looks set to sweep clean in Laois following the appointment of former Tipperary boss Peter Creedon as manager of the county's senior footballers.
In keeping with a previous move in Tipp, Creedon is already combining both the senior and U21 squads collectively for training.
A number of young players will be evaluated but one player who's already made his senior championship debut is Paul Kingston, younger brother of Donie.
Paul will shortly celebrate his 23rd birthday and having spent last summer in Boston, he looks set for a big year, if a reported knee injury can be attended to.

9. Ultan Harney (Roscommon)

A 2015 county senior football championship winner with Clann na nGael, Ultan Harney has also tasted Connacht U21 glory with Roscommon.
Injury hampered Harney during the early months of the 2016 season but he returned to feature for Kevin McStay's seniors.
A key member of Roscommon's 2013 minor crop, Harney went on to become a key player for the U21s and won two provincial medals in that grade.
Harney was out injured when Roscommon's quest for three-in-a-row was stopped last year.

10. Darren Nagle (Clare)

Darren Nagle made his senior championship debut for Clare against Sligo in last year's All-Ireland qualifier.
He joined the panel in 2015, however, and is renowned as a very tidy corner back, quick and hard as nails.
From the Liscannor club, injuries hampered Nagle's progress in 2016 but he could be set for an extended run in the team if he can put those problems behind him.
It's a big year for Nagle and Clare as they prepare for life in Division 2 of the Allianz League.

11. Cillian O'Sullivan (Meath)

Cillian O'Sullivan was a member of the Meath team that lost against Dublin in the 2012 All-Ireland minor football final.
But O'Sullivan lost nearly two years of a promising career through injury, before returning to fitness and football in early 2016.
The Moynalvey player made a long-awaited senior championship debut against Louth last summer, having recovered from a back problem.
Looked impressive against Dublin in last year's Leinster championship clash before the Sky Blues gained a firm stranglehold on proceedings.

12. James Mealiff (Monaghan)

Operating at centre back, James Mealiff was a key member of Monaghan's 2016 outfit that won a first EirGrid Ulster U21 football crown in 17 years.
From Clones, Mealiff was a member of the Monaghan senior squad for last year's championship but he's yet to make his full competitive debut.
That looks set to come in pre-season competition, as Monaghan look ahead to their Division 1 opener against Mayo next month.
Mealiff won an All-Ireland Freshers League Division 1 title with DCU in December 2015.

13. Michael Daly (Galway)

Michael Daly is the son of former Galway star and ex-Roscommon senior team manager Val.
When Galway were knocked out of the Connacht U21 championship last year, Michael was deemed unfortunate to have been sent off early on a second yellow card.
But that setback shouldn't deter the progress of Daly, who's already captained his club Mountbellew/Moylough to county minor glory while also appearing in a senior decider.
A midfielder in the underage county ranks, Daly has impressed in attack for his club and he could be given a senior county debut by manager Kevin Walsh this year.

[Syferus]

Ultan was not missing for the three-in-a-row bid at U21 last year, starting the final against Mayo even. Sadly he was probably pumped full of painkillers to do it.  He was injured warming up for the Sigerson final having played the semi the previous day, the usual madness. He only made it back to fitness in time to start the Clare game at senior. I think this is the second or third year running he's made these lists too..

[moysider]

Yawn. Who wrote this filler?

[Kuwabatake Sanjuro]

Very lazy stuff.
I'd be surprised if Luke Flynn made the Kildare team for the league even though he has a good combination of size and mobility.

Colm Basquel was completely dominated in last years Leinster u21 final too, there is no hope of him ousting the likes of Con O'Callaghan, Cormac Costello, Paul Mannion, O'Gara, Paddy Andrews and Bernard Brogan to get a place in the Dublin team.

Paul Kingston has been around a good while now without making any impact too.

[Duine Eile]

Not sure what to make of Michael Daly to be honest, certainly has the talent but not sure about the commitment and discipline. Saw him against Corofin in the championship this year, Kieran Molloy kept him fairly quiet, when the game was slipping away from MM in the second half he didn't want to know about it, his own team mates were calling to the sideline to take him off.

[nrico2006]

Bradley didn't win an All Ireland Minor in 2012, neither did Tyrone.

[screenexile]

Young Doherty using this thread as inspiration for sporsjoe.ie's version... You couldn't watch those Derry City wans!!! 

I wouldn't know a lot about these young lads but what do the rest of you think?

https://www.sportsjoe.ie/gaa/the-8-young-gaelic-footballers-that-could-be-thrilling-championship-wildcards-in-2017/108340

The 8 young Gaelic Footballers that could be thrilling championship wildcards in 2017
BY CONAN DOHERTY

It's a young man's game.
Change comes. It comes like the wind.

No-one is destined to be at the top forever - not even Dublin. No-one is destined to be at the bottom forever - not even... let's not go there.

The beauty of the GAA is that no matter how God-awful it might seem at times at the top, everyone can start afresh every single year with their youth products. You can always invest in a future and, if you do it right, your future can be fruitful.

Over the last few years, massive players have been emerging through the underage ranks in various counties. Now is their time to dare to shine on the biggest stage. Now is their time to make the breakthrough to seniors and who better to do that than these lads?

1. Jason McGee (Donegal)

The talented midfielder has been a giant for Donegal minors in the last two years.

He led from the front in 2016 as he dragged them back to Ulster glory, hitting the net in the semi-final before doing the same in the All-Ireland quarters to guide the county into the last four.

He's a big man, he can fetch a ball and by God he can gallop forward with it. He's been included in the Donegal McKenna Cup panel straight away. He can make an impact straight away.

2. Desmond Conneely (Galway)

Hit 2-12 in his last four outings for Galway minors in 2016. 2-7 of those were from play - in a Connacht final, an All-Ireland quarter-final, a semi-final, and an All-Ireland final.

His balance is phenomenal. He'll win a ball out in front and have you turned before you even think of getting a hand on him.

He's cool in front of the posts, composed in front of the goals and the Moycullen man has all the ingredients to be a future star.

3. Liam Irwin (Mayo)

Brace yourselves, forwards are coming.

Strong, sharp, ruthless. The future of Mayo is in safe hands. Conor Loftus' talents have already excited the county and there are more of them.

This man can strike from distance, he can pounce from close range and he can spread you on toast if you let him. Hit 2-2 back in April as the westerners clinched the All-Ireland under-21 championship. It'll take some man to break into the Mayo ranks but if it's firepower they're after, the arsenal is being stacked up with boys like Irwin.

4. Con O'Callaghan (Dublin)

Back in 2014, Con O'Callaghan was a precocious talent. He captained the Dublin footballers to the Leinster title, he represented the hurlers on the same stage.

He has since grown into a brute of a man. A skillful man. A frightening man.

O'Callaghan's exploits with Cuala, hitting goals for fun in the provincial club championship, have seen the county's hurlers long after what is a sensational talent with a stick in hands. But he's committed to Jim Gavin's project and he could be just about to make a move.

5. Danny Tallon (Derry)

Seemed like he was playing minors for about 13 years. Was the sharpshooter for his club Glen Maghera as they embarked on three Ulster minor titles in a row and his name is known all around Derry and farther afield - especially in college's football.

Lightning quick, he can turn on a sixpence, and he doesn't need an angle to score. Derry were a whisker away from beating Tipperary last year and booking a place in the quarter-finals. They can use all the help they'll get now and Damian Barton has recruited Tallon for the McKenna Cup.

6. Peter Kelleher (Cork)

Already making his impact on the Cork team, already starting to spread a little fear around his name. This is Kelleher's year.

He's a man beyond his years, he's a man on a mission.

He lit up the under-21 championship last year, taking the Rebels the whole way to the decider against Mayo. It's time the senior players of Munster and the rest of the island started feeling the full force of his power.

7. Jimmy Hyland (Kildare)

Kildare are going through a resurgence and men like Jimmy Hyland are front and centre of that impending revolution.

Racks up scores like he's throwing water down his throat, Hyland lives and breathes early ball and his tractor beam-like accuracy to the posts is unstoppable.

Kicked seven scores as the county clinched Leinster success last year. The more of these men that the Lilywhites produce, the better.

8. Dara Moynihan (Kerry)

You'd think he'd be sick of winning things at this stage. The St. Brendan's captain, the Kerry minor captain, the thrilling young talent has hoovered up championships already as if they were going out of fashion.

His work rate is incredible, his vision, his rampant nature are relentless and his leadership qualities are there for all to see. Moynihan is a proper player - a Kerry player - and he's one of the finest bits of sparkle in a gleaming production line. He's going places and he'll make sure the Kingdom comes along with him.

[redhandefender]

Maybe a year to early because of under 21 commitments but lee brennan is the great hope for tyrone

[Walter Cronc]

How is Clifford or O'Se from the Kerry minors not in this list. Is Killian Spillane not expected to step it up? Perhaps Kerry posters can shed some light!

[redhandefender]

I would say its a bit early for Clifford sure was still in school last year. The list is to make an impact on senior championship. Not sure about spillane yet either

[Maroon Manc]

A bit far fetched expecting last years minors to make an impact this year, I'd be amazed if Conneely was anyway near the Galway panel for the coming year, probably has his work cut out to make the u21's.

[Jinxy]

Clifford is on the list of young gaelic footballers to watch in Australia in 2018.

[Fear Bun Na Sceilpe]

Some shite talked here boys

[GalwayBayBoy]

A bit far fetched expecting last years minors to make an impact this year, I'd be amazed if Conneely was anyway near the Galway panel for the coming year, probably has his work cut out to make the u21's.

Yeah he was even small at minor level. Very skillful but his lack of size is going to make it difficult for him to make an impact in senior football for quite a while yet I'd say. Could have gone for someone like Evan Murphy or Robert Finnerty who at least have the physiques to play senior football sooner you'd imagine. But I don't expect either of them to be involved either. Just too soon.

[Ciarrai_thuaidh]

How is Clifford or O'Se from the Kerry minors not in this list. Is Killian Spillane not expected to step it up? Perhaps Kerry posters can shed some light!

Yerra, it's a joke of a list really. I suppose everyone knows Clifford at this stage so they were trying to look smart and pick someone else, but as pointed out Seán O'Sé is far more likely to "make it" given that AFL scouts are coming out of the bushes around Fossa (Cliffords club) for last year.    Killian Spillane hasn't kicked on as I hoped he would..yet.
Jason Foley is a good player in fairness though and could see some action with Kerry. Seán Powter started games with Cork Seniors last year, so hardly news having him as "one to watch". It's clickbait really is all.