Roscommon Herald Hurling Team of the Year revealed
WE DID IT: Conor Morris celebrates with Rory Coyle following Four Roads' dramatic victory against St. Dominic's in Sunday's senior hurling championship final at King and Moffatt Dr. Hyde Park.
The Roscommon Herald Hurling Team of the Year has been revealed after Four Roads claimed a five in a row in defeating St. Dominic’s last weekend.
In what was one of the most competitive championships in recent memory, where every team lost at least one game, the team we have selected reflects the tightness of the competition with five clubs represented.
There was extra stock given to performances in knockout games given the forgiving nature of the championship format and often this was the tiebreaker used to separate players.
So, without further ado here is who we have selected for the 2026 Roscommon Herald Hurling Team of the Year.
Noel Fallon was in with the mix, but Miley’s county final performance could not be ignored. Despite being on the losing team in the county final, his saves from Tommy Morris, Conor Morris’ penalty and Brian Mannion’s fierce effort only enhanced his chances of being selected here. His puckouts were a potent weapon for St. Dominic’s all year long while he also bagged 0-4 in the campaign. Miley led his defence expertly and was never afraid to place himself in the line of fire.
In a year where the central positions of the team were the hardest to nail down, Moran was an easy choice at corner back. Whether he was trusted to do a man-marking job, like the one he did on Liam Óg Coyle in the county final or whether he was the distributor of possession, Moran brought impressive composure. He was arguably St. Dominic’s’ second best player in the county final n a year while his performances never dipped below a seven out of 10 this year.
Oran possess an impressive spine to their team and that starts with Leonard in the full back role. The veteran defender once more displayed his leadership and defensive qualities at key points throughout the campaign. Even when Oran fell over the line against Pádraig Pearses in the quarter final, it was Leonard who ensured his side didn’t pay for their wastefulness. He was a model of consistency and despite Mike Feeley enjoying a fine year with St. Dominic’s, Leonard gets the nod after another campaign where he showed excellent consistency.
Although he missed his side’s opening two games, Hoey adapted quickly upon his return against Roscommon Gaels. Alongside the Meares brothers Johnny and Gavin, Hoey was superb in the full back line in the county final. He did a superb marking job on Mickey Joe Egan, holding the dangerous corner forward to a point from play. The 22 year old also excelled in his side’s county semi final win over Oran. A big game player.
It was a case of ‘what might have been’ for Pádraig Pearses this year but Finn did everything possible to help them make up for the seismic loss of Seán Canning this year. This was the most competitive line in the team with Nathan O’Connor, Pauric Halpin, James Cunniffe, Micheál Hussey, Paul Kenny and Eamon Kenny all firmly in the mix. However, Finn gets the nod after playing multiple roles within the team and performing each to an extremely high standard.
Byrne was the first name on this team sheet. A Player of the Match performance in the county final wasn’t even necessary to ensure he would be named given the strength of his performances across the campaign. But there was so much to admire about how he won breaking ball time and again, provided accurate deliveries upfield and put himself in harm’s way time and again simply for the betterment of the team throughout St. Dominic’s run to the final this year. A terrific campaign.
In the big moments, Coyle stood up to the task. In the county final, he produced a huge block as Jack Lohan sought to move his side in front. Then Coyle was the man who supplied the assist for Oisín Finneran’s dramatic late winner. A Player of the Match performance against Oran in the county semi-final was imperative with Micheál Kelly citing Coyle’s ability to pop up with a big score when needed most as crucial. He produced another Player of the Match showing in the group stage win over Athleague, scoring 0-4 as he continued to exert his influence when Four Roads were pushed hardest.
Morris was a cert for a position on this team from a long way out. His powerful surges from deep have set up crucial Four Roads goals while another burst almost saw him find the net against St. Dominic’s in the county final. After limping off in his side’s semi final win over Oran, he was still among his side’s more impressive performers in the decider. His ability to play at centre back or midfield was a huge weapon. Morris has enjoyed a stellar season for club and county.
What a debut season at adult inter county level. Although he sometimes started games to corner forward he quickly moved out to become the ‘third midfielder’ as Oran sought to control the battle for primary possession. He slotted in seamlessly from the start as his assist for Nathan Flynn’s goal against Pearses kickstarted a memorable campaign. His most impressive performance came against St. Dominic’s as he bagged 1-3. He was heroic in his side’s semi final defeat to Four Roads, scoring three points from play and producing a tigerish display. He edged out Jack Donnelly, Paddy Fallon, Daniel Mooney and Cormac Kelly for a spot in the team.
The Four Roads sharpshooter rose to the occasion when the need was greatest. His pressure free to win the county semi-final was just one of many moments where he stood out while he struck over the final two points to help his side defeated Oran in the final round group game. He struck crucial late scores to help his side get back to winning ways following their opening round defeat to Athleague. At just 20 years of age, he has become a leader in this Four Roads team.
Like a fine wine he seems to get better with age. Kellehan was once more to the fore in the scoring charts this year but with Tremane enjoying better luck on the injury front than in previous seasons and with a new found confidence following their opening round win over Roscommon Gaels, the team exceeded expectations by topping the group. Pauric Halpin did a fine job on Kellehan in the county semi-final, but the Tremane man still enjoyed his moments as he once more showed his wrists and brain are as sharp as ever.
Coyle’s opening half performance against Oran in the county semi final was superb as his runs to the left corner from puckouts proved extremely difficult for Francie Quine’s side to handle. His tally of 1-3 was crucial in that win and even in the county final, he struck over two superb scores when Four Roads desperately needed inspiration. His tally of 0-4 was crucial in seeing off Roscommon Gaels while his 55th minute goal allowed the Tisrara side to edge Oran in the group stages. He edges out Cian Murray for a spot in the team.
Although the final may not have gone his way, Egan was pivotal in St. Dominic’s progressing through to their second county final in three years. Egan struck a total of 2-19 in his side’s final three games of the season. His performance against Athleague in the quarter final was one of the best produced by any player this season while he also came to the fore at just the right time against Tremane.
The Roscommon U-20 hurler was one of the few bright sparks when Tremane were knocked out of the championship at the first hurdle last year. After a terrific campaign with the Roscommon U-20 hurlers where he lorded the skies in the full back role, he lined out at full forward in a two-pronged attack alongside John Brennan. Murray’s movement off the ball was extremely impressive all year while he has all the attributes to play senior inter county hurling in the future. A huge reason for the revival in Tremane’s fortunes.
Just like the half back line, the full forward line was extremely hard to choose. Naos Connaughton could easily have made the cut and in other years would have but the competition was strong this year. Lohan gets the nod for the simple reason that St. Dominic’s’ attack looked far more potent with him present. He was his side’s best forward in the county final and didn’t put a foot wrong following his return from injury against Oran in the group stages. A classy operator.
