The GAA has announced its team of the year for the Tailteann Cup, the Tier 2 football championship, won by Meath, who are recognised with eight award winners. Finalists Down have four whereas there are also awards for Cavan, Carlow and Antrim.
Cavan full back Pádraig Faulkner has the distinction of having also won an All Star award three years ago.
Meath’s representation is led by captain Donal Keogan, one of the most highly regarded defenders in the game – as recognised by previous nomination for an All Star. Jack Flynn, who starred in the final defeat of Down, scoring 0-4, is named at right wing forward.
His team-mates Jordan Morris and Matthew Costello also starred in attack in the full forward line but there is recognition too for the team’s defence with goalkeeper Seán Brennan and corner back Adam O’Neill.
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Down’s contingent includes outstanding under-20 prospect Odhran Murdock, currently attracting interest among AFL clubs in Australia, at centrefield with Meath’s Conor Gray.
His team-mate Danny McGill is a son of Down’s 1994 All-Ireland winner Micheál McGill and is named at left wing back from where he scored two goals in the demolition of Laois in the Tailteann semi-final. Down forward Liam Kerr is also recognised for a productive campaign, which saw him hit Laois for a hat trick (3-2) in the same match.
Tailteann Cup Team of the Year 2023:
1 Seán Brennan (Meath)
2 Adam O’Neill (Meath)
3 Pierce Laverty (Down)
4 Pádraig Faulkner (Cavan)
5 Donal Keogan (Meath)
6 Pádraic Harnan (Meath)
7 Danny Magill (Down)
8 Odhran Murdock (Down)
9 Conor Gray (Meath)
10 Jack Flynn (Meath)
11 Ross Dunphy (Carlow)
12 Liam Kerr (Down)
13 Jordan Morris (Meath)
14 Mathew Costello (Meath)
15 Ruairí McCann (Antrim)
