The abundant supply of players from successful under-21 squads have significantly bolstered Dublin’s All-Ireland triumphs in the recent years. The county clinched four All-Irelands titles within the past ten years under the stewardship of Jim Gavin, Declan Darcy, and later, Dessie Farrell, with an average of four graduates from those teams becoming key players in the senior All-Ireland medal-winning sides.
In the final championship of 2017 before the shift to under-20, Galway, the favourites, were Dublin’s opponents. Dublin emerged victorious in what was Farrell’s last leadership of a youth county team. Fast forward to seven years later, six players from that victorious side clashed again with Galway in the recent All-Ireland quarter-finals, this time suffering a loss.
Meanwhile, six members from Galway’s under-21 finals team have now matured into crucial players within Pádraic Joyce’s administrative care, including All-Star nominees Rob Finnerty, team captain Seán Kelly, and Cillian McDaid. McDaid, an extraordinary centre field player, received a nomination for Footballer of the Year 2022 following Galway’s arrival at the All-Ireland final.
Gerry Fahy, the manager of Galway’s 2017 squad, believes there’s a reason why players from unsuccessful underage finals often mature into formidable senior players. Reminiscing about his experience attending the Munster final as part of Galway minors in 1986, he recalled a poignant exchange between two Kerry fans. They pointed out that disappointment in defeat can sometimes instigate a decided advantage, driving players to strive harder.
This wisdom resonated with Galway when their team, defeated in the 1994 minor final against Kerry, came back stronger providing six players for the squad that lifted the Sam Maguire trophy four years later after a 32-year drought.
On the other hand, just two players, Kevin Walsh and Tomás Mannion, from the 1986 minor champions stayed relevant when John O’Mahony steered Galway back to dominance. Thus, underscoring that the under-21 squad of 2017, despite having a somewhat unlucky run in their youth careers, has provided a pivotal contribution to the county’s success.
Gruelling battles as juniors were a common occurrence for them, with luck rarely on their side. Many were rewarded with their inaugural Connacht medal after a fiercely fought match against Sligo that was pushed into overtime. The determination and drive to excel only grew stronger as the season unfolded.
“Did you anticipate their success at the senior level?” one may ask.
The answer is that situational factors often interplay. Peter Cook was a member of that squad, whose absence due to overseas work commitments was deeply felt by Galway. Another team player, Cein D’Arcy, had an initial stint with the seniors but was off the grid for a few years. Now, he holds a crucial team position, which is heartening.
One person who navigated his way to the pinnacle of success was McDaid. Following a sign-up with the AFL team Carlton, he spent a year Down Under.
Cillian balanced both codes as a junior and resided in Craughwell, not a well-known area for football. Yet, he bagged an All-Ireland minor hurling victory. His journey from then until now is a testament to his potential future.
Other team members include dynamic wing back Dylan McHugh, a likely All-Star recipient, and Kieran Molloy, who played in the 2022 All-Ireland and is part of the current squad.
Sean Andy Ó Ceallaigh and Micheal Daly seemed destined to rise to fame. Post-match, their manager praised them, stating that a finer performance in a Gaelic jersey had scarcely been seen nationwide. Fahy considered Sean Andy as an excellent player, but unfortunately, he failed to meet expectations. Struggling team dynamics or just the style of playing might have been a hindering factor. His excellent showdown with Con O’Callaghan, who later made it big in the sport, was impressive.
The story was the same for Micheál Daly, Val’s son. Already active with the seniors, he led the team and was also crowned Connacht under-21 Player of the Year.
“He’s had quite a bit of bad luck due to a knee injure which has hindered his annual performance. He did make a small comeback with his team last year, but he wasn’t able to play at his full potential. He’s a significant athlete that would be perfect for the contemporary games.”
For those who are lucky enough to remain participating, they have two games standing between them and the prestigious senior All-Ireland success, the beginning of which will be this Sunday’s semi-final against Donegal.