Sport

Minor stars to be honoured as Electric Ireland renews championship sponsorship

<span style="font-family: &quot;Helvetica Neue&quot;, &quot;Segoe UI&quot;, Helvetica, Arial, &quot;Lucida Grande&quot;, sans-serif; ">(l-r) Donal &Oacute;g Cusack,&nbsp;</span>Andy McEntee, Kerry minor football captain David Clifford, Tipperary minor hurling captain Paddy Cadell, Mattie Kenny and Ois&iacute;n McConville at the launch of the Minor Stars 2017 initiative&nbsp;
(l-r) Donal Óg Cusack, Andy McEntee, Kerry minor football captain David Clifford, Tipperary minor hur (l-r) Donal Óg Cusack, Andy McEntee, Kerry minor football captain David Clifford, Tipperary minor hurling captain Paddy Cadell, Mattie Kenny and Oisín McConville at the launch of the Minor Stars 2017 initiative 

THE Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star awards were launched earlier this week.

The inaugural awards will recognise the best individual performers over the entire season, including provincial and All-Ireland stages, with the best player in each position selected on the 2017 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Top 15.

The four-man awards selection panel was unveiled on Wednesday, consisting of legendary former Cork hurler and current Clare selector Donal Óg Cusack, former Armagh Allstar footballer Oisín McConville, former Galway hurler and All-Ireland club hurling championship-winning manager Mattie Kenny and Meath senior football manager Andy McEntee.

The awards will be selected by the panel in conjunction with a public vote through Electric Ireland’s social media channels. A presentation ceremony will be held after the All-Ireland minor finals have been played, with the best performer in each position honoured.

Electric Ireland also announced a five-year extension on its sponsorship of the All-Ireland Minor Championships.

Uachtarán CLG Aogán Ó Fearghail said: “The Electric Ireland GAA Football and Hurling All-Ireland Minor Championships offer a glimpse into the rich future that is to come for our association.

“The annals of the GAA are filled with examples of legendary players who set out as minors, paving their way to becoming superstar senior athletes.

“For many, the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Championships also carry a purity and a freedom of expression that make them a delight. We are excited to continue to cement the bonds of friendship and partnership with Electric Ireland, and between us, we look forward to working to help showcase these magnificent young ambassadors and shining stars for the GAA.”