DOWN’S Daithí Sands has been named on the Joe McDonagh Cup team of the year for the third time following another superb season.
Portaferry forward Sands hit 5-8 across Down’s five group games, including a hat-trick in their high-scoring 3-25 to 5-23 defeat to Offaly in their last outing.
Previously honoured in 2019 and 2022, he is the sole Ulster representative on a Joe McDonagh Cup team of the year dominated by winners Offaly and runners-up Laois.
They both have six men each on the team.
Kerry’s Fionán Mackessy is named on the team for the fifth successive year, with Westmeath’s Killian Doyle also honoured.
The Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year will be guests of honour at a gala black-tie event hosted at Croke Park this Friday night which will also honour the Champion 15 team announced yesterday and the Tailteann Cup Team of the Year, which will be announced tomorrow.
The event will be streamed live by the GAA on Youtube from 7pm.
Gaelic Players Association CEO Tom Parsons said: “To the players selected, I want to send heartiest congratulations. Your performances during what was a very exciting Joe McDonagh Cup championship stood out and have been recognised by your fellow players who voted for a longlist, that was then whittled down by the selection committee. You’ve been acknowledged therefore by both your peers and an expert panel.”
Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year 2024: Enda Rowland (Laois); Diarmuid Conway (Laois), Ciarán Burke (Offaly), Ben Conneely (Offaly); Pádraig Delaney (Laois), Cillian Kiely (Offaly), Fionán Mackessy (Kerry); Paddy Purcell (Laois), Aidan Corby (Laois); Aaron Dunphy (Laois), Killian Doyle (Westmeath), Killian Sampson (Offaly); Charlie Mitchell (Offaly), Brian Duignan (Offaly), Daithí Sands (Down)