SIX Ulstermen from four different counties have been selected on the GAA’s Champion 15 team for 2024 honouring the lower tiers of hurling.
Nickey Rackard Cup-winners Donegal have three representatives, with one each for Derry in the Christy Ring Cup, and Fermanagh and Cavan in the Lory Meagher competition, which was won by the Ernemen.
Derry lost the Christy Ring final to Kildare, who lead the way with five men on the side – but Mark Craig of the Kevin Lynch’s club in Dungiven has shown his quality again by being chosen for a second consecutive season.
Donegal’s trio includes defender Stephen Gillespie, after a season during which he reached a century of appearances for his county, along with midfielder Gerard Gilmore and forward Liam McKinney.
Fermanagh defender Ryan Bogue is selected at left half-back, while Cavan attacker Nicky Kenny is named at top of the right.
Overall there are eight counties who have representatives on the final 15, with London, Longford, and Mayo also honoured. The six forwards between them amassed 17-241 across the cup competitions, led by London full-forward Jack Goulding as the Kerry native scored 5-50.
Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “The longer the Ring, Rackard and Meagher Cups go on the more impressive the foresight and inspiration that sparked their inauguration. They are an integral part of the hurling calendar and a key part of the Association’s commitment to hurling.
“Through all the plans and hopes that we have for the future of hurling, let us not forget the outstanding hurlers and ambassadors for the game that are in our midst right now and I salute those who have been selected on this distinguished Champion 15 and thank them for the extraordinary dedication they make.
“This is an honour that will be celebrated by your families and clubs and is richly deserved.”
Gaelic Players Association CEO Tom Parsons said: “While our games are primarily about what we do as teams collectively, it is also important to recognise individual effort and excellence.
“These 15 players, drawn from the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups, are rightly being awarded for outstanding championship seasons in 2024.
“The unique nature of this team, with players selected from three different tiers, means these players have had to probably do even more to stand out. Congratulations to you all.
“I hope that those who work so hard to keep hurling alive in the eight counties represented will take some satisfaction too, on seeing their county men rewarded with places on the Champion 15 team.”
Players from the Ring, Rackard, and Meagher were asked to nominate outstanding performers in their competitions, with an independent selection committee adjudicating on the final team based on player performances, supported by video footage and county nominations.
The awards will be presented at a gala black-tie function in Croke Park this Friday night. The award show will be streamed live on the GAA Youtube channel from 7pm and will also feature the awards for the Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year and the Tailteann Cup Team of the Year - as well as the presentation of the overall Players of the Year in these championships.
The Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the year will be announced on Wednesday and the Tailteann Cup team of the year will then be revealed on Thursday.
2024 GAA Champion 15
1. Paddy McKenna (Kildare- Christy Ring)
2. Rian Boran (Kildare – Christy Ring)
3. Mark Craig (Derry -Christy Ring)
4. Stephen Gillespie (Donegal – Nickey Rackard)
5. Conan Boran (Kildare – Christy Ring)
6. David Kenny (Mayo – Nickey Rackard)
7. Ryan Bogue (Fermanagh – Lory Meagher)
8. Gerard Gilmore (Donegal – Nickey Rackard)
9. Simon Leacy (Kildare – Christy Ring)
10. Liam McKinney (Donegal – Nickey Rackard)
11. Jack Sheridan (Kildare – Christy Ring)
12. Shane Boland (Mayo – Nickey Rackard)
13. Nicky Kenny (Cavan – Lory Meagher)
14. Jack Goulding (London – Christy Ring)
15. Cian Darcy (Longford – Lory Meagher).