TEN players from Mayo senior football champions Ballina Stephenites have been nominated for The Mayo Football Podcast Club Stars ‘Team of the Year’ — sponsored by EirGrid.
The 15 players will be revealed at the Club Stars awards banquet which will be held on Friday, December 13 at Knockranny House Hotel in Westport.
After their impressive march to their 38th Mayo SFC title recently, it’s no surprise that the Stephenites dominate the list of nominees. Five players from beaten finalists Knockmore have also been nominated for a Club Star award, which honours those players who have performed with distinction during the 2024 Mayo club championship.
A total of 11 clubs are represented among those in contention for awards on the night.
This year’s ‘Team of the Year’ nominees were selected by former Charlestown and Mayo footballer, John Casey, former Mayo captain and RTE pundit Martin Carney, current Cill Chomáin manager Nigel Reape and four-time All Star Colm Boyle.
Senior winners Ballina dominate the nominees list with former All Stars David Clarke and Ger Cafferkey joined by Sam Callinan, Liam Golden, David Tighe, Padraig O’Hora, Frank Irwin, Conor McStay, Mikey Murray and Evan Regan.
Knockmore’s David McHale and Nathan Armstrong have also been shortlisted for selection, along with club-mates Pearse Ruttledge, Darren McHale and Aiden Orme.
A good year for beaten semi-finalists Breaffy is acknowledged with John Vahey, Conor Melly, Niall Carter, Matthew Ruane, Davitt Neary and Aidan O’Shea all nominated while Ballaghaderreen’s Sharoize Akram, David Drake, David McBrien, Kuba Callaghan and Ryan Lynch also made the cut.
From the beaten quarter-finalists, Garrymore’s Cathal Slattery, Westport’s Finbarr McLaughlin, Ballintubber’s Ciaran Gavin and Castlebar’s John MacMonagle have all been selected.
Paul Towey was also singled out for his stellar displays with Charlestown as they won a relegation play-off to stay senior.
Intermediate champions Crossmolina were rewarded for their fine season with nods for defender Conor Loftus, midfielder Jordan Flynn and attacker James Maheady, with Moy Davitts’ Cian McHale completing the shortlist.
Down Syndrome Mayo are the charity partners of the Club Stars this year.
Tickets for The Mayo Football Podcast Club Stars with Eirgrid are now on sale via Eventbrite — just search for the Mayo Club Stars awards.
More details can be found on The Mayo Football Podcast’s social media pages and on the Mayo GAA Blog.
Team of the Year Nominees
GOALKEEPERS
David Clarke - Ballina Stephenites
John Vahey - Breaffy
DEFENDERS
Sharoize Akram - Ballaghaderreen
Nathan Armstrong - Knockmore
Ger Cafferkey - Ballina Stephenites
Sam Callinan - Ballina Stephenites
David Drake - Ballaghaderreen
Liam Golden - Ballina Stephenites
Conor Loftus - Crossmolina
Conor Melly - Breaffy
John MacMonagle - Castlebar Mitchels
David McBrien - Ballaghaderreen
David McHale - Knockmore
Padraig O’Hora - Ballina Stephenites
David Tighe - Ballina Stephenites
MIDFIELDERS
Niall Carter - Breaffy
Jordan Flynn - Crossmolina
Frank Irwin - Ballina Stephenites
Matthew Ruane - Breaffy
Pearse Ruttledge - Knockmore
Cathal Slattery - Garrymore
FORWARDS
Kuba Callaghan - Ballaghaderreen
Ciaran Gavin - Ballintubber
Ryan Lynch - Ballaghaderreen
James Maheady - Crossmolina
Cian McHale - Moy Davitts
Darren McHale - Knockmore
Conor McStay - Ballina Stephenites
Finbarr McLaughlin - Westport
Mikey Murray - Ballina Stephenites
Davitt Neary - Breaffy
Aidan Orme - Knockmore
Aidan O’Shea - Breaffy
Evan Regan - Ballina Stephenites
Paul Towey- Charlestown
