Elphin lead the way in Intermediate Team of the Championship
Elphin celebrates their intermediate championship scuccess at Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday. Pic: Ger O'Loughlin
The J. Keane & Sons Ltd. Intermediate Championship provided its fair share of thrills and spills as Elphin secured their first title at this grade in 21 years while Strokestown and Éire Óg came up just short. Here we select the 15 men that shone brightest in trying to help their side dine at the top table.
Brady proved a major weapon for the county champions throughout their successful campaign. His ability from the dead ball was crucial throughout the year as he nailed the opening score of the county final from a ’45.
His willingness to step out from between the sticks and challenge kickouts helped Elphin dominate teams early in the campaign. Brady stayed between the posts much more later in the campaign but his kickouts and his comfort in possession were valuable.
Gleeson enjoyed a terrific final as he kept Shane McGinley scoreless from play. Gleeson is comfortable in possession both deep in his own territory and the opposition’s while he is a tight and tenacious corner back that few would enjoy facing.
He was integral in helping his side concede just two points from play against Éire Óg and Strokestown. Gleeson was a model of consistency as he starred against Pádraig Pearses in the opening round and never saw his performance levels dip thereafter.
A model of consistency throughout the campaign. Barron was named in three Team of the Weeks as he looked comfortable on the edge of his own square after his redeployment there this year.
Barron is somebody who never looks flustered while he brings a level of physicality that is a nightmare for opposition full forwards. He is a commanding presence on the field and someone who obviously takes great pride in shutting down any key forward.
Although Dylan Owens enjoyed a fine final and Ciaran Regan kicked two points in the triumph over Fuerty, David Neary was his side’s most consistent defender.
Neary dragged his side over a potential banana skin tie against Creggs as his sublime ball for Shane McGinley’s goal lit up a dull affair.
He was an integral part of a defence that restricted Fuerty’s full forward line to just one point from play as his ability to play in the full back or half back lines is a testament to his versatility.
Tadhg Lyons and the Wards – Eoin and Mark – were all firmly in the running but McGahon gets the nod. His performances ramped up as the rounds progressed as he stood out in the semi final despite his side shipping a double digit defeat.
McGahon excelled against Kilbride as he produced a goal saving challenge on Alan Merriman to end Kilbride’s hopes of a comeback. Showed well during the group stages and went up a level when knockout football arrived.
The Player of the Year in the Intermediate Championship. He did play the early stages of the Championship in midfield before dropping back and holding Conor Cox and Diarmuid McGann scoreless from play in Elphin’s two biggest games of the year.
He was still able to drive forward and won a huge late free in their semi final success. The 24 year old has enjoyed an enormous campaign and hopes will be high, he can use this to build on a strong 2024 with the county.
A modern day player who managers would love to have within their ranks. Hester’s ability to be equally as effective in the half forward line and the half back line is a major asset for Éire Óg.
He displayed this in his side’s quarter final win over Shannon Gaels as he kicked two points and never shirked his defensive duties. Hester was one of his side’s better performers in their semi final defeat as he showed impressive consistency in this campaign.
His midfield partner Nessan Lenehan can consider himself unfortunate not to be included as can Colm Neary and Fionn Cusack but Mollahan’s consistency earns him a spot on the team. Mollahan lined out at wing forward early in the campaign but shone when asked to step into midfield.
When Niall Higgins dropped to full back for the first time in the campaign against Shannon Gaels, Mollahan stood up and led the way in a routine win. Mollahan was huge in the semi final, setting up the game winning goal while he did a lot of unseen work in the final.
Although Killoran lined out at centre forward in this campaign but he did most of his best work in the middle third battleground. He lit up Dr Hyde Park last Sunday with his display as he showed great instincts to take his goal while his fetch when his side were clinging to a one point lead and lung bursting runs from deep were also memorable.
Killoran did a lot of unseen work in the semi final, looked classy in possession in the quarter final and was a keen part of Elphin’s attack shining when needed.
Although Shannon Gaels’ year ended with defeats to Elphin and Éire Óg, they possess a core of exciting young players. One of those is Evan Corcoran, who bagged 3-8 in this year’s campaign.
He just beat off clubmate Matthew Bourke, Fiachra Henry and Ronan Dowd for this spot. Corcoran shone in routine wins over Pádraig Pearses and Kilbride and although he was quiet against Elphin, Corcoran shot over half his team’s tally in their quarter final with Éire Óg.
The Strokestown centre forward was instrumental in his side managing to move just one win away from an immediate return to senior. His composure on the ball and ability to break the lines with accurate deliveries into Diarmuid McGann and Shane McGinley was central to Strokestown’s progression to the Intermediate decider.
He was instrumental in his side overwhelming Fuerty late on while his three points, all from play, against Creggs in the quarter final was another indicator of the quality he possesses.
The top scorer in this year’s intermediate championship, Cox brought his inter county form to the club scene as he slotted a total of 2-33 in five games. Although he was held scoreless from play against Elphin, Cox slotted over five frees, including a majestic outside of the boot effort in the final half.
He hit the ground running with seven points in the opening game against Fuerty while his quarter final performance against Shannon Gaels was one of the best by any player this year.
Despite being relatively quiet for the first three quarters of the final, Cregg showed that class is permanent by slotting 1-4 in the final 20 minutes of the contest to steer his side home. Cregg made the finish for the goal look much easier than it was while he led the way when Strokestown threatened to take the game to the wire.
Cregg stood up in the big moments, opening his side’s account after a shaky start against Éire Óg, as at age 36, he continues to lead the charge.
His semi final performance was mesmeric as he kicked seven points and quite frankly tortured the Fuerty full back line. McGann is a sight to behold when in full flow and was front and central in helping Strokestown qualify for this year’s county final.
The final didn’t go his way on a day when Strokestown needed to shoot from deep more often instead of trying short, dinked passes to the inside line. A quality operator who did a lot right in this campaign.
Although Shane McGinley can feel hard done by, Ennis was instrumental in Fuerty’s run to the final four as he finished as the second highest scorer in the championship with 1-34. Ennis slotted 1-4 in his side’s semi final reversal to Strokestown and never stopped battling to stem the tide.
He caused Éire Óg no shortage of problems in their opening game before helping his side overcome sticky moments against Creggs and St. Croan’s. He never shirked his responsibilities, shooting a combined 1-10 in his side’s two knockout games
