The Mayo News Senior Team of the Year 2024

The Mayo club championships are always hotly contested and generate huge interest near and far. In 2024 the finest footballers across the county came out to play and produced thrills and spills from the first breathless moment until the final whistle which crowned Ballina Stephenites as champions.

After a lot of deliberation and a huge public response we’re delighted to unveil our Senior Team of the Year: 

David Clarke - Ballina Stephenites (Pic: Sportsfile)

David McHale - Knockmore (Pic: Sportsfile)

David Drake - Ballaghaderreen (Pic: Sionnach Ninja Media)

David Tighe - Ballina Stephenites (Pic: Sportsfile)

Sam Callinan - Ballina Stephenites (Pic: Sportsfile)

John MacMonagle - Castlebar Mitchels (Pic: The Mayo News)

Shairoze Akram - Ballaghaderreen - (Pic: Sportsfile)

Frank Irwin - Ballina Stephenites (Pic: Sportsfile)

Mikey Murray - Ballina Stephenites (Pic: Sportsfile)

Davitt Neary - Breaffy Pic: Conor McKeown

Kuba Callaghan (Ballaghaderreen) Pic: David Farrell

Paul Towey - Charlestown

 Evan Regan - Ballina Stephenites (Pic: Sportsfile)

Aidan O'Shea - Breaffy (Pic: Sportsfile)

Caolan Hopkins - Knockmore (Pic: Sportsfile)

A huge thanks to all our readers who helped select our Team of the Year.

David Clarke stands between the posts. He was a stand-out performer for the Stephenites as they went in search of back-to-back titles. He commanded his goal area as only he can.

The full-back line is a stream of Davids. David McHale was Knockmore’s best player all year. No matter who they played he marked the opposition’s best forward and did it well. David Drake was the outstanding full-back of the championship. He played with style, drive and composure. David Tighe was arguably the best defender in the county all season. He was imperious and will remember 2024 fondly.

The half-back line is filled with a dynamic, stylish trio. John MacMonagle is a Rolls-Royce defender. Never shaken and rarely stirred, he was Castlebar’s best player all year. Sam Callinan is one of the best in the business. He mixes defensive dynamism with attacking flair in his own inimitable style. Shairoze Akram showed everyone what a top-class footballer he is. His drives up the pitch powered Ballaghaderreen to the verge of a county final.

The midfield duo of Mikey Murray and Frank Irwin were unbeatable all year. They were the engines that drove the Stephenites to the title as they mixed power, pace and precision in every game they played.

The half-forward line is filled by three of the most exciting players in the championship. Davitt Neary caught the eye and the attention every time he went out for Breaffy as the West Mayo men made a serious impression on the campaign. Kuba Callaghan was unmarkable at times as the men from the borderline produced some of the best football of the year. Paul Towey showed the style which makes him so exciting but he also produced the goods when needed most at the business end of the season.

The full-forward line would get on any club team in the land. Evan Regan’s ability to swing over points was always well-known but this year he reached a new level of consistency. His goal in the county final will be recalled for decades. Aidan O’Shea showed what the ‘love of club’ is all about. He played some of the best football of his career through the championship and was a joy to behold at times. Caolan Hopkins kicked some inspirational scores for Knockmore when the tide may have been flowing against them. His ability to split the sticks was eye-catching all season.

That’s our Team of the Year. Congratulations to those selected, you gave us great enjoyment all season.