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A Look Back At The Young Football Stars That Have Emerged This Summer

A Look Back At The Young Football Stars That Have Emerged This Summer
Vincent Whelan
By Vincent Whelan
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As the season draws to a close after some thrilling action in both codes of the Electric Ireland Minor Championship, it's a good time to reflect on what's been a superb season.

With that in mind, it's fitting to draw special attention to some of the up-and-coming football stars of tomorrow that have vaulted themselves into the spotlight with their performances.

Each of these players has already won a player of the week award during August. There is now a vote to see which of them will be crowned the player of the month.

Though David Clifford is the only one whose team is still in the competition, all three of these young men have made an indelible mark on this season's championship. They may well be doing so at senior level too in the not too distant future.

James Doran - Dublin

Dubin came unstuck in a tight semi-final against Derry but it wasn't for a lack of effort on the part of Na Fianna man James Doran.

The centre-forward played with his by now trademark energy and managed to score six points, all of which were from play.

His direct style of play, characterised by forceful runs past defenders, has led to him being Dublin's main goal threat this season despite not playing in the full-forward line.

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Notwithstanding that, he raised a green flag in three matches this season.

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He and Dublin as a whole can take heart from what has been a good season overall, having secured a Leinster title and brushed aside Clare before coming up short in a nip-and-tuck encounter with Derry.

David Clifford - Kerry

Clifford already has quite a CV at minor level having inspired The Kingdom to All-Ireland victory last year. But he has certainly not rested on those laurels as he has been in dominant form throughout every match this season.

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He was particularly deadly in their semi-final win over Cavan as he dispatched 1-10 (3f) in a performance where he was close to unplayable, no matter what Cavan did to try and negate him.

The Fossa man's physical presence was too much for the couple of Cavan defenders who marked him over the course of the game.

The 18 year old is not just an exceptional talent because of his size, but also his football acumen as he consistently knew what runs to make to receive the ball in space before routinely demonstrating his class by sweeping over a point with a leisurely swing of his left boot.

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Red Óg Murphy - Sligo

Sligo forward Red Óg Murphy had one of the most remarkable stat sheets of the year as he scored 0-11 (7f) of his side's 0-15 total against Derry.

The Curry full-forward was a thorn in their side throughout as even towards the closing minutes, he pointed to equalise matters before Derry eventually struck the telling blow.

He was cool and composed throughout against a defence that has proven to be one of the toughest to break down in the country given their advancement to the final.

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