Mayo Super League: Team of the year

No team of the season will suit everyone. Undoubtedly, Castlebar Celtic, were the team of the season, in that they won the Connacht Cup, the Super League, the Westaro Cup and are in the final of the Calor Super Cup, next Sunday. Given that dominance, it was always on the cards that they would have the most players in the team of the season. Some might argue that they should occupy all eleven places, but that would be unfair on other, excellent players, who have shone in the 2024 Super League.

As it is, Stefan Hester, Mark Cunningham, Ioseph O’Reilly, Dylan Edwards, Jordan Loftus and Jason Hunt, have been selected. A few others could have made it too. Cathal Coyne, Fionn Mahon, Oran Groarke, Brian Walsh and Ben Murphy will probably feel hard done by, to be left out. As will several others, from other clubs. But you can only pick eleven. 

We went with Stefan Hester in goal. There was a strong case to leave him out – because he had so little to do – given how much Celtic dominated teams. But when he was called upon, Stefan was superb and an automatic choice. Celtic only conceded eleven goals in the Super League all season and some of that was down to fine goalkeeping.

Mark Cunningham has consistently been the best performer in Mayo this season. He can play anywhere, it seems. Celtic have been using him as a right back and sometimes a centre back. Joe Kelly drafted him into the Mayo Oscar Traynor side and put him on the park. He is so comfortable in possession and so aggressive out of it. Not only did he make the team, but he is also The Mayo News Player of the season.

Nothing needs to be said about Ioseph O’Reilly. What a reader of the game. An inspirational player and captain, he too, is an automatic choice. 

Chris Maughan has been brilliant this season for Ballina Town. There were question marks about whether he would play at all this year – he had been talking about giving it up. Instead, he put in the season of his life. Long may he continue. 

Westport United finished second to Celtic. In another era they would have won it but Celtic are just so far ahead of everybody, they had to settle for runners-up. Harrison Quinn has been one of their many star performers and has played his way onto our team.

In midfield, we have another young Westport star in Dylan O’Malley. He has been outstanding and will get even better. Beside him, Ballina Town’s Dylan McKee, will always win the ball in a tackle and will break forward and score a goal or two as well.  And completing the midfield Dylans is Dylan Edwards. A quality left-sided player who could, I suspect, play anywhere too, Edwards has been consistently excellent for Celtic, as they swept the decks.

The front three of Ben Edeh, Jordan Loftus and Jason Hunt is enough to give defenders and opposing coaches, nightmares, if they have to face them. 

Edeh has strength and power combined with incredible speed. Loftus is a superb all-rounder who alternates his game between an out and out number nine with a killer instinct, to a drifter who comes out the field and has the vision and accuracy to lay the ball into the stride of his on-running teammates. Plus, this season, he has been fully fit, which has been a real bonus for him and for Celtic, and will no doubt be for Mayo, when the Oscar Traynor starts up again. 

Jason Hunt has a first touch like Velcro. The ball sticks to him. Then, bang! He struggled to get back into the Celtic side a year ago, as he recovered from an injury, but once he did, he demonstrated why his should be the first name on Stevie Gavin’s team-sheet every week. 

And there it is – the Mayo News Super League Team of the Season. 

We’ve named a few subs. Niall Walshe, the Kiltimagh/Knock United ’keeper made some outrageous saves all season. Colm Ruttledge and Owen McNamara were outstanding for Conn Rangers. It is not Oisin Brady’s fault that Claremorris were relegated. And Westport’s Kevin Kitterick’s performance all year, would have made him an automatic on the team of the year, any other season. 

Finally, a word on Conor Gorman, the Young Player of the Year. What a young man! He can tackle; win the ball; beat the full back; cross; or turn his man and score. Conor Gorman is one to watch.

The Mayo News Super League team of the season:

1 Stefan Hester (Castlebar Celtic)

2 Mark Cunningham (Castlebar Celtic)

3 Ioseph O'Reilly (Castlebar Celtic)

4 Chris Maughan (Ballina Town)

5 Harrison Quinn (Westport United)

6 Dylan McKee (Ballina Town)

7 Dylan O'Malley (Westport United)

8 Dylan Edwards (Castlebar Celtic)

9 Jordan Loftus (Castlebar Celtic)

10 Ben Edeh (Ballyheane)

11 Jason Hunt (Castlebar Celtic)

Manager: Stevie Gavin

Subs: Niall Walshe (Kiltimagh Knock United), Colm Ruttledge (Conn Rangers), Owen McNamara (Conn Rangers), Oisin Brady (Claremorris), Kevin Kitterick (Westport United), Cathal Coyne (Castlebar Celtic), Oran Groarke (Castlebar Celtic)