REVEALED: The Mayo News Junior team of the year

The dream of climbing into the stand and hoisting the McDonnell Cup towards the heavens burns brightly in every junior footballer in Mayo. Therefore, the junior championship is savagely-contested from gun to tape. Nothing is spared as the passion, power and brilliance of junior football paints pictures in every corner of the county each summer.

Over the past few weeks we have been asking our readers to help us select the Team of the Year from the 2024 Junior Championship and now we can reveal the chosen 15. It’s a team packed with talent, style, skill and positivity – a team of stars!
One of the most promising goalkeepers in the county stands between the posts. Kian Gallagher has one of the longest kicks in the game, but was also deadly accurate from quick re-starts. His brilliant shot-stopping helped carry Cill Chomáin through the championship and on to ultimate glory.

The full-back line is packed with a trio who defend like tigers, while also using the ball smartly and positively at every opportunity. Eoin Fox, Eoghan Greavy and Eoghan McGrath enjoyed great seasons and created numerous sparkling memories by preventing scores at one end and contributing to game-changing moments at the other.

Our half-backs are three hugely influential and talented young men. Liam Maloney is one of the most dynamic, versatile, exciting players in the county and showed why he’s so highly-rated with powerful displays all through the campaign. Conor Igoe has always caught the eye but moved onto a new level in 2024. His ability to move the ball decisively and attack from deep was a joy to behold as Bonniconlon blazed their way to the final. Joe Corduff was fearless in the black and white of his beloved Cill Chomáin. When heroes were needed he stepped forward time and time again to carry the fight to the opposition no matter what was thrown at him.

Two of the championship’s finest footballers fill the midfield jerseys. Jonathan Lavelle was the beating heart of Bonniconlon as they powered through the rounds. He perfectly epitomised what ‘love of club’ truly means and was one of the stars of the entire championship.

Seán Murphy led by example as Cill Chomáin tasted championship glory. He was tireless from the first whistle on the opening day, until he hoisted the McDonnell Cup into the sky at the end of the campaign. When the Erris men needed inspiration he stepped forward each and every time.

The half-forward line is made up of three young men who would get on any team in the county. Rory Conway was hugely impressive every time he pulled on his beloved Ballycroy jersey and became one of the most talked-about players in the championship. Brian O’Malley’s ability to run at opponents and kick spectacular points for Bonniconlon made him one of the most enjoyable players to watch in 2024. Senan Guilfoyle’s burgeoning talent burst forth as Eastern Gaels played their way to the semi-final. His spectacular score-taking was highly-impressive but it was his fearless attitude which set him apart during a breakthrough campaign.

At top-of-the-right is the wildly-exciting Cathal Boland. His ability to create and deliver crucial scores powered Northern Gaels to the quarter-finals as his name echoed across the county. On the edge of the square is a young man who created magic every time he went out to play. Justin Healy’s name will forever be proudly recalled when Cill Chomáin’s glorious run to the title is spoken about. He was the ‘go-to’ man for his team and delivered each and every time. At top-of-the-left we have a young man who excites every time he gets the football in his hand. Liam Moran sparkled in a Swinford forward line which is bursting with talent and potential.

Congratulations to our Team of the Year, a group of young men who brought joy to all who watched them play during a wonderful championship campaign.

Here is the 15 players selected:

Goalkeeper:

Kian Gallagher (Cill Chomáin)

Defenders:

Eoin Fox (Bonniconlon), Eoghan Greavy (Bonniconlon), Eoghan McGrath (Cill Chomáin), Liam Maloney (Cill Chomáin), Conor Igoe (Bonniconlon), Joe Corduff (Cill Chomáin)

Midfielders:

Jonathan Lavelle (Bonniconlon), Seán Murphy (Cill Chomáin)

Forwards:

Rory Conway (Ballycroy), Brian O'Malley (Bonniconlon), Senan Guilfoyle (Eastern Gaels), Cathal Boland (Northern Gaels), Justin Healy (Cill Chomáin), Liam Moran (Swinford)