By Aaron McNally
This is the future.
There are some great young players already lighting up the top level of the GAA such as David Clifford, Aaron Gillane and Brian Howard, but what about younger players you may not have heard about just yet?
Here are 10 hot prospects to look out for in the future of the GAA.
Paul Walsh (Kerry)
Football
When I grow up…@Kerry_Official pic.twitter.com/9KvzfuZ7TJ
— GAA JOE (@GAA__JOE) September 2, 2018
Walsh was a crucial part of the Kerry team who won a fifth minor All-Ireland title this year, with the Brosna man kicking four points in the All-Ireland final victory over Galway along with 1-7 in the Munster final against Clare. His two late injury time frees also helped Kerry hold off Monaghan and progress to that All-Ireland decider.
The skilful wing forward was Kerry’s best player all year long and he thoroughly deserved his Electric Ireland minor footballer of the year award.
Watch out for him to be a part of an already loaded Kingdom attack in the future.
Donal O’Shea (Galway)
Hurling
The son of former Tipperary manager, Eamonn, Donal is as potent a forward as they come. His 10 points in Galway’s All-Ireland victory over Kilkenny brought his tally for the year to an impressive 1-37.
Showing off his fantastic scoring prowess throughout the year, the Salthill-Knocknacarra man was named the Electric Ireland minor Hurler of the Year and is one of many brilliant forwards to come up through the Galway underage system and we should see him shine at the senior grade not too long from now.
Luke Mitchell (Meath)
Football
Mitchell impressed hugely for Meath minors this year in their journey to the All-Ireland semi final. He kicked six points in wins over both Dublin and Laois while he also notched 0-8 in their Leinster final dismantling of Kildare.
The Dunshaughlin sharpshooter also put 1-5 past Derry in the All-Ireland quarter final and he could be the missing piece that the Meath senior team are missing.
Cathal O’Neill (Limerick)
Hurling
O’Neill was brilliant in the full forward line as Limerick reached the All Ireland minor quarter final. He scored 11 points in their defeat of Tipperary in the Munster round robin.
O’Neill’s brilliant displays aren’t just confined to Limerick as the Crecora-Manister club man popped up with 1-3 as Ardscoil Ris won yet another Dr.Harty cup with a victory over Midleton CBS.
O’Neill will no doubt fit in seamlessly to an already deadly Limerick attack when he does make the transition to the senior grade.
Tony Gill (Galway)
Football
The Corofin youngster manned the Galway defence with authority in their run to the All-Ireland minor final this year. Not only did he do that, he got forward to land some inspirational scores including goals against Meath and Kerry in the latter stages of the championship.
Gill was a vital cog in the Galway machine this year and the 17-year-old should star on Tribesman u20 and senior squads in the years to come.
James Devaney (Tipperary)
Hurling
James, the grandson of former All-Ireland winner with Tipperary, Liam, was an important member of the Tipp minor team that won the Munster title in July. Devaney excelled in that final, notching eight points as the Premier county overcame Limerick.
The youngster is just another really talented forward that Tipp in a few years can add to their already strong collection with the likes of Seamie Callanan, John McGrath and Jason Forde already revelling in their roles at the senior grade.
Darragh Canavan (Tyrone)
Football
Mac a dhaide ! Cúl den scoth ag Dara Canavan ! @TyroneGAALive @RoscommonGAA @TG4TV @officialgaa pic.twitter.com/6rFKzilCoi
— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) August 27, 2017
The son of Tyrone legend, Peter, Darragh Canavan is already making waves in the world of GAA playing brilliantly for both club and county. He kicked five points in a brilliant display as Errigal Ciaran beat Omagh to win a second Division One title in a row earlier this month.
Canavan was among the unfortunate group who missed out on their proper age of minor but he did help Tyrone win the u17 All Ireland Championship last year by scoring 1-3 including a stunning goal in their victory over Roscommon in the final.
Canavan has bags of potential and we could see him among other dangerous forwards in Tyrone’s senior team in the near future.
Luke Swan (Dublin)
Football and hurling
Luke Swan is only 16 years old but he’s already making the world of GAA take notice. The Castleknock dual sensation amassed 13 goals and seven points in the Leinster Championship between football and hurling including 3-1 in the Leinster hurling final victory over Kilkenny.
Swan has another year of minor next year and will look to shine at that grade once more but he’s definitely one to keep a look out for in the future.
There is plenty of talent on its way to the senior grade and we might see this young talents light it up on the big stage in a few years.
