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With 2017 drawing to a close, the build-up to next year’s pre season games and the National League is about to swing into motion. A few new faces will be blooded with teams experimenting in the early rounds.
Chances will be given, chances will be taken. Here’s the lads who deserve it the most, on the back of what they’ve shown for their clubs in the last year.
These lads have what it takes to make the most of their chance.
1. Ronan O’Toole (St. Loman’s, Westmeath)
To win the man-of-the-match award in the Leinster final, despite St. Loman’s losing that final is something special. O’Toole’s display was more than special, it was amazing, it was outstanding, it was class and it is the future for Westmeath.
The 21-year-old NUIG student’s left foot doesn’t have any limits. He can ping the O’Neill’s size five on the outside of the laces, he can curl it from the inside. With a swing of that leg, he can thread the most subtle pass, he can kick a 50 yard long ranger with minimal effort on the run. He makes the game look easy.
His right isn’t too bad, either.
Cool as you like, Ronan O'Toole 🔥
1-2 in the second half for the Loman's man. The Westmeath champs are powering home to Leinster glory pic.twitter.com/HQyDiwVmQP— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) December 17, 2017
He lines out at centre forward for St. Loman’s, but the former Westmeath minor and under-21 makes it his business to flatten every blade of grass within the four white lines.
At one stage in Sunday’s O’Moore Park showpiece, he popped up in his own full back line to clear his side’s lines. He did it immaculately.
What a goal by Ronan O’Toole…!! Brilliant!! @StLomansGAAClub pic.twitter.com/THzcZmfDla
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) December 17, 2017
But that’s what he’s been doing all year, and his 1-2 in the final, though it will be a bittersweet memory for him, mean he can’t and won’t be ignored by Colin Kelly and his management team next year.
2. Neil Douglas (Castlebar Mitchels, Mayo)
They can’t keep ignoring him.
The most consistent club forward in Mayo over the last few years hasn’t got a fair crack at it in inter-county level.
Neil Douglas was brilliant for Castlebar Mitchels this year in their county title winning campaign and march to the Connacht final, where they eventually lost to Corofin.
They went down fighting that day, with Douglas leading the charge. He’s been doing that for some years now for the town club.
The Castlebar Mitchels forward is 28 now. He is in the prime of his life.
Give him the chance, not a chance in an FBD League game, or a chance as a sub in a National League game, give him a proper chance.
He was a class apart again on Sunday. They can't keep ignoring him. https://t.co/VZCpbIz9cM
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) November 27, 2017
3. Eanna O’Connor (Moorefield, Kildare)
The question doing the rounds on Sunday, after the Kerryman impressed in Moorefield’s Leinster final triumph was not whether he was inter-county standard, but instead, whether he’ll represent his native Kingdom or his adopted county Kildare for the 2018 season.
O’Connor has been a teacher in Newbridge since 2014 and lives in the county. He played for the Lilywhites in their National League campaign in 2016 – so it looks like it will be in the Kildare white he will be putting the fear of God into defenders and orchestrating proceedings.
Paul Galvin lead the calls, with a veiled request for Eanna to return home, but the whole of Kildare are convinced he’s set to take a place in their forward line.
Eanna O Connor inter – county quality for sure. Never without a football in his hands as a young fella when we were training with Kerry. @AIB_GAA #TheToughest
— paul galvin (@pgal10) December 17, 2017
https://twitter.com/CillDaraTimes/status/942426703896436736
His displays for his club show that he’s well capable, not just of earning a place, but of becoming a marquee forward.
4. Dylan Wall (Corofin, Galway)
A blistering half back, an attacking weapon, a tigerish defender. Dylan Wall was man-of-the-match in Corofin’s Connacht final triumph over Castlebar Mitchels, he was ravenous that day.
The 21-year-old played at half forward for the Galway minors in 2014, but he’s yet to don a senior maroon jersey. Next year could well, and should well be his year to right that wrong.
Kevin Walsh will have been taking notice. He will be taking notice.
5. Nathan Mullins (St. Vincent’s, Dublin) – Donegal.
Donegal-born Mullins, a son of Dublin legend, Brian has the unique honour of having represented both Donegal and Dublin at under-21 level. The rangy, powerful midfielder has been a key cog in the St. Vincent’s machine over the last few years.
Nathan Mullins lines out as Donegal defeat Roscommon in challenge https://t.co/KMYWgn6SLA
— Buncrana GAA (@buncranagaa) December 16, 2017
He represented Donegal in a recent challenge match against Roscommon, and looks poised to form a midfield partnership with the returning Ghaoth Dobhair maestro Odhrán MacNiallais for Declan Bonner’s men next season.
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