Five Derry players named on Minor Football Team of Year with captain named Player of the Year

Derry captain James Sargent has been named the Minor Football Player of the Year following back-to-back All-Irelands with the Oak Leaf County.

The Lavey man lifted the Tom Markham Cup after victory over Armagh in July, helping guide Derry to their second title in as many years after they defeated Monaghan the year before. 

Damian McErlain’s side defeated Armagh in both the Ulster and All-Ireland finals last season. 

It is the second year in succession that a Derry player has been named as the Minor Player of the year with Johnny McGuckian taking the accolade last year.

And Sargent was one of two players this season to achieve the accolade of being named in both the 2023 and 2024 team of the year, Ben Murphy (Kerry) the other.

Sargent was one of five Derry players to feature in the 2024 Minor Football Team of the Year as Ronan Canavan, Luke Grant, Eamon Young, Dylan Rocks were also selected. 

Meanwhile beaten finalists Armagh had four players on the team; Conall Wilson, Diarmuid O’Rourke, Daithi O’Callaghan and Eoin Duffy.

The final six spots were made up by the Munster and Connacht champions, Kerry and Mayo respectively, both defeated All-Ireland semi finalists.

GAA President Jarlath Burns, said: “I am delighted to congratulate the players selected in this year’s Electric Ireland Minor Star Football Team of the Year. Watching the games this season has been thrilling and the showcase of talent at each stage of the championship has been extremely impressive, culminating in an incredibly exciting all-Ulster final. 

“A bright future lies ahead for these players, and I look forward to seeing their development in the GAA over the coming years. I am also delighted to congratulate James Sargent of Derry on his fantastic achievement of the 2024 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Football Player of the Year. James’ performance in the final and during the minor championships over the last two seasons, across both hurling and football, make this a much-deserved award.”

Rob Crabbe, Group Sponsorship & PR Manager at Electric Ireland, commented: “We were fortunate to witness another season of outstanding football and thrilling clashes during this year’s Electric Ireland GAA Minor football campaign. The level of skill and talent shown throughout each round is a testament to the players’ time and dedication put in across the season. 

“With that, Electric Ireland is delighted to announce the 2024 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Football Team of the Year. It is fantastic to celebrate these major moments at the end of each season while also reflecting back on the minor moments we have seen this season that will last these players a lifetime.”

2024 Electric Ireland Football Minor Star Team of the Year: Kacper Robak (Kerry and Dr Crokes); Tom Hession (Mayo and Eastern Gaels), Ronan Canavan (Derry and Steelstown), Conall Wilson (Armagh and St Peter’s); Luke Grant (Derry and Greenlough), Ben Murphy (Kerry and Austin Stacks), Diarmaid O’Rourke (Armagh and Dromintee); James Sargent (Derry and Lavey), Daithí O’Callaghan (Armagh and Carrickcruppen); Eamon Young (Derry and Newbridge), Kobe McDonald (Mayo and Crossmolina), Gearóid White (Kerry and John Mitchels); Eoin Duffy (Armagh and Culloville), Oisín Deane (Mayo and Crossmolina), Dylan Rocks (Derry and Loup).