Four players from Derry will be rewarded for helping their side reach the Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Football final at an inaugural awards ceremony in Dublin on Saturday.
Derry’s twin brothers Oisin and Lorcan McWilliams were named in the Electric Ireland Minor Star football team of the year at midfield and full-forward respectively, with captain Padraig McGrogan and full-back Conor McCluskey also representing the Oak Leaf side.
Cavan’s Oisin Pierson will be Ulster’s only other representative.
Kerry, who soundly beat Derry in this year’s final, dominate selection with eight players in the side.
The players will be formally recognised at the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Awards at Croke Park.
The four-man awards selection panel consisted of Armagh legend Oisín McConville, Meath boss Andy McEntee, Clare coach Dónal Óg Cusack and Cuala manager Mattie Kenny.
Meanwhile, players from Galway and Cork dominated the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star hurling team of the year for 2017, making up over two thirds of the side.
Six players from winners Galway and five players from finalists Cork feature prominently in the selection, with two players from Dublin and one each from Clare and Kilkenny also included.
Oisin McConville, Electric Ireland Minor Star Awards judge, said the players fully deserved to be recognised for their achievements.
“These awards are a major event for young players and will stand as a landmark in their playing careers,” he said.
“It is a real honour to be named on the team of the year, not just for the player themselves but also for their families, counties, schools and clubs who have played a crucial part in these young players careers to date.
"It is just incredible to see such dedication in such young athletes but it really is a testament to them and they should be celebrated and that is what these awards are all about.”
Aogán Ó Fearghail, President of the GAA, said the minor players conjured up some remarkable moments over the course of the season.
“This has been an outstanding Electric Ireland GAA Minor Football Championship season with some superb moments that will live long in the memory,” he said.
“These 15 players have made a huge contribution to the enjoyment of the 2017 Minor football season and they fully deserve the recognition for an excellent year.
“They will be first to acknowledge the roles that their friends, families, clubs and communities played in their support and development and no doubt this will be a huge honour, not only for the player but for everyone connected to them and hopefully it will inspire them and their team mates to go on to great things in the GAA.”
Jim Dollard, Executive Director, Electric Ireland, said: “Electric Ireland is delighted to have been a part of this year’s Minor Championship.
“These 15 players have provided some amazing football this year and we are delighted to be able to honour them and all those who support them at this year’s inaugural Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Awards.
“I’ve no doubt these players will be stars of the future. We hope this will also inspire Minor Star Award winners of the future as we continue to support the championships in the coming years.”
Electric Ireland, who have been sponsors of the GAA All-Ireland Minor Championships since 2012, will continue the partnership for at least another four years.
Electric Ireland has been a the forefront of promoting the impact of Minor players with the This Is Major campaign, designed to empower young players, ensuring they feel driven to compete, improve and to strive for more in their sporting lives.
Teams in full:
Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Football Team of the Year
1. Deividas Uosis (Kerry, Dingle)
2. Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne (Dublin, Cuala)
3. Conor McCluskey (Derry, Magherafelt)
4. Cian Gammell (Kerry, Killarney Legion)
5. Michael Potts (Kerry, Dr Crokes)
6. Padraig McGrogan (Derry, Newbridge)
7. Niall Donohue (Kerry, Firies)
8. Barry Mahony (Kerry, St.Senan’s)
9. Oisin McWilliams (Derry, Swatragh)
10. Ross McGarry (Dublin, Ballyboden St Enda's)
11. David Clifford (Kerry, Fossa)
12. Donal O’Sullivan (Kerry, Kilgarvan)
13. Oisin Pierson (Cavan, Gowna)
14. Lorcan McWilliams (Derry, Swatragh)
15. Fiachra Clifford (Kerry, Laune Rangers)
Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Hurling Team of the Year
1. Darrach Fahy - Galway (Ardrahan)
2. Caimin Killeen - Galway (Loughrea)
3. Sean O’Leary Hayes- Cork (Midleton)
4. Darren Morrissey - Galway (Sarsfields)
5. Aidan McCarthy - Clare (Inagh-Kilnamona)
6. James Keating - Cork (Kildorrery)
7. Lee Gannon - Dublin (Whitehall Colmcilles)
8. Daire Connery - Cork (Na Piarsaigh)
9. Conor Fahey - Galway (Padraig Pearses)
10. Brian Roche - Cork (Bride Rovers)
11. Sean Currie - Dublin (Na Fianna)
12. Adrian Mullen - Kilkenny (Ballyhale Shamrocks)
13. Sean Bleahene -Galway (Ahascragh-Fohenagh)
14. Jack Canning - Galway (Portumna)
15. Brian Turnbull - Cork (Douglas)
Win a training session with Donal Óg Cusack for your club#GAAThisIsMajor
