The summer is well and truly upon us, and championship hurling and football has taken over the collective mindset. But while we're rightly caught up in the majesty of Joe Canning and the brilliance of Diarmuid Connolly, what about the stars of the future, blazing their own trail through the Electric Ireland Minor Championships?
The provincial championships are well underway at the grade, and last weekend, Ulster minor football took centre stage with two quarter-finals taking place on Sunday.
In Celtic Park on Sunday, Derry may not have been at the races in the senior game, but their minor football team led the way brilliantly with a tight 0-18 to 1-14 win over Tyrone in what was considered an upset win. They will now play Cavan in the Ulster semi-final, after the Breffni men beat Monaghan by 5 points with a scoreline of 3-14 to 1-15. The Ulster Senior Championship may have been a damp squib so far this year, but the Minor equivalent is more than making up for it if these games are anything to go by.
Well done Damian McErlean and the Derry minors today. Great result against an always hard to beat Tyrone minor side
— enda (@OAKLEAFBOY) May 28, 2017
BT Sport think they're great lads with two co-comms but Northern Sound have a four-man commentary team for Cavan v Monaghan in the minors.
— Mark Farrelly (@MarkFarrelly131) May 28, 2017
This year is the first year of the Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Awards. Throughout the summer, players from each week’s games will be shortlisted by an expert panel of judges which consists of Donal Óg Cusack, Oisín McConville, Mattie Kenny and Andy McEntee. Every week you will have the opportunity to have your vote for your Player of the Week on Electric Ireland's Facebook page, and get involved in the conversation #GAAThisIsMajor.
This week's three nominees came from these two thrilling minor football games.
Cian Madden - Cavan
Cian Madden was the star of the show for Cavan on Sunday night. In a game where goals proved to be the difference, he found the back of the net and put two over the bar to help his side to victory. Cavan were behind at the break, trailing Monaghan by three points, and despite fighting back to take the lead in the second half, there were nervous moments when Ryan McAllister's goal pulled the visitors to within two.
Madden stepped up to score his side's third goal, giving them the breathing space they needed to push on in the last few minutes.
Dean Connolly - Monaghan
On the other side of the ball, Dean Connolly of Monaghan also makes the voting as a result of his performance in their quarter-final. He contributed two points himself, and was instrumental in particular as the Farney men put together a string of eight unanswered scores to pile serious pressure on Cavan in the first half.
Lively and energetic, the midfielder made his presence felt in starting that run of scores, and dictated play despite coming out on the wrong side of the result.
Oisin McWilliams - Derry
Oisin McWilliams' scoring turn for Derry against Tyrone was enough for him to make the shortlist, as he helped his side come from behind and seal a narrow victory.
Every time the tough questions were asked, McWilliams found the answers to help inspire his team. Tyrone opened the scoring, but McWilliams replied to help his side take a two point lead early on. When they were pegged back after five unanswered points, McWilliams put another over the bar to help pull his side level.
Derry's Oisin McWilliams and Tyrone's Jude Campbell.
Mandatory Credit Photo Lorcan Doherty / Presseye.com
Although they went in at the break trailing, it was McWilliams again who made sure Tyrone couldn't pull away, slotting over two more points to slash their lead. A late penalty and a red card for Tyrone's Peadar Mullan meant that there was still plenty of drama in the closing stages, but Derry held on for the win.
Derry three up into the last five minutes. Oisin McWilliams excellent for Derry
— Cahair O'Kane (@CahairOKane1) May 28, 2017
You can cast your vote for the player of the week nominees on Electric Ireland's Facebook page or on the poll below.
With the league having already thrown up a big surprise result this year when Carlow beat Dublin, there's sure to be some major developments as the season continues.
