Craig Morgan has developed into a key performer for Tipperary. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
By Tom Stakelum
Here we shine a light on five of our U20 starlets who have burst onto the Senior stage in recent years.
Craig Morgan (Tipperary)
First up in our ‘Starlets to Stars’ is the tight marking, no nonsense defender, Craig Morgan. The Kilruane MacDonagh’s clubman has risen to prominence in the senior ranks of the blue and gold of Tipperary in the past few years, making a superb comeback following a serious injury in 2022.
However, despite his assured performances for the senior team, Craig’s finest hour with the Premier county came in 2019, captaining the Tipperary U20’s to All-Ireland glory in a thrilling final victory over Cork, having won an All-Ireland medal the previous year in the same grade!
The U20 competition has proved to be a priceless point of development for Morgan, who has now established himself as a mainstay in the Tipperary backline.
Exciting Cork forward Alan Connolly. Photo by Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
Alan Connolly (Cork)
Need a goal? Look no further than Cork’s lethal finishing lightning bolt – Alan Connolly. Fresh off the back of a scintillating hat-trick against eternal rivals Tipperary, in the GAA Munster Senior Hurling Round Robin Clash, this 'Senior Star' is in the form of his young life, having scored 4-9 in four championship games this year.
These electric displays will not come as any surprise to the people of Blackrock GAA Club or those involved in Cork U20 hurling.
Similarly to the man before him in this list, Connolly managed to get his hands on the James Nowlan Cup, following a hard earned victory over Dublin in the 2020 showpiece.
There is no question that the U20 grade has provided vital big-game experience for the Blackrock man, who is without doubt drawing upon it in every game he plays.
Eoin Cody is an influential player for Kilkenny. Photo by Daire Brennan/Sportsfile
Eoin Cody (Kilkenny)
Next up is Kilkenny’s direct running dangerman Eoin Cody. Just the three All-Ireland Senior Club Championship medals, four Leinster Senior Hurling Championship victories, and an Allianz National Hurling League for the Ballyhale man to date.
As if this wasn’t enough, Cody has also tasted success in the U20 age group, in the form of a Leinster U20 Championship in 2019. He managed to grab two scores of paramount importance as the Cats ran out as narrow winners over neighbours Wexford in the final.
It is pulsating high-stake victories like this, that prime the young talents of today to become the 'Senior Stars' of tomorrow.
Cathal O'Neill is starring for Limerick. Photo by Tom Beary/Sportsfile
Cathal O’Neill (Limerick)
Our fourth player who has risen from the U20 age group to become a well-known 'Senior Star' is none other than Limerick’s all-rounder Cathal O’Neill.
Making his debut for the Limerick Senior Hurlers back in 2021, O’Neill has proved an all action, ball winning addition to the Treaty juggernaut. Having made his name with crucial contributions off the bench, such as his two points in last year’s All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Final defeat of Kilkenny, he has now nailed down a starting spot in Limerick’s engine room alongside Will O’Donoghue.
When it comes to the U20 competition, O’Neill’s finest moment undoubtably came in the 2022 Round Robin clash against fierce rivals Clare. Three points down with two minutes to go? No problem. 1-1 in the final moments of the game, courtesy of the Crecora/Mainistir man, turned the game on its head, leading to scenes of delirium amongst the Treaty faithful.
Brian Duignan has enjoyed a productive campaign with Offaly. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Brian Duignan (Offaly)
Speaking of faithful, the final entrant into our ‘Starlets to Stars’ spotlight, is Offaly ace Brian Duignan. With hurling fever sweeping the county at the moment, courtesy of Offaly’s upcoming involvement in the oneills.com U20 Final, along with the upcoming Joe McDonagh Cup decider, it’s exciting times for Duigan and co.
Offaly’s scorer in chief has been in fine form this year, playing a major role in their run to the Joe Mc Donagh final, including 1-11 in a game of crucial importance against Westmeath.
Before the time of Screeney and King, Brian played on the Offaly U20 team of 2019 that managed to kickstart the revival of hurling in the county when they put Dublin to the sword in Parnell Park, in a nail-biting affair that ended up in a one point success for the midlands men.
