Likely lads to keep an eye on

JANUARY is a month to impress at senior inter-county level.

A chance to stick the hand up and advertise your talents during the pre-season provincial competitions. Here are six players who may use this month as a launching pad to force their way into summer championship plans.

AIDAN O’REILLY (CORK, NEMO RANGERS)

THE Carrigtwohill native has had previous inter-county experience, winning a Munster medal with the Cork minors in 2007 and was involved in 2010 with the Cork U21 team.

He has flourished at the back for Nemo Rangers in recent years, winning senior medals at county and Munster level. Gets the nod at left half-back tomorrow against Clare in the McGrath Cup.

JOHN SMALL (DUBLIN, BALLYMUN KICKHAMS)

AFTER the huge disappointment of being centre-back on the Dublin minor team that lost last September’s All-Ireland final to Tipperary, Small (below, left) bounced back to make his senior debut in the O’Byrne Cup last Sunday. An excellent defender, he has plenty of obligations to fill between DCU Freshers, Ballymun and the Dublin U21s. The fact he has been promoted so early to senior ranks indicates how highly-rated he is.

LEE KEEGAN (MAYO, WESTPORT)

KEEGAN lined out at left corner-back for last Sunday’s FBD League opener against Leitrim and he will be determined to nail down a position in the Mayo defence for the rest of the year. Better suited to the half-back line, Keegan (right) exhibited his credentials on the Mayo U21 team that reached the 2009 All-Ireland semi-final.

A strong, competitive player, he made his senior championship debut as a sub against Cork last August and scored a point against Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final.

MICHAEL QUINN (LONGFORD, KILLOE)

THE return of the 21-year-old attacker from the AFL is a major boost to Glenn Ryan’s plans. Quinn (right) illustrated his capabilities with an explosive start to his career with Essendon in 2008 as he set the record for the fastest debut for an Irish player after signing. Enjoyed success on his debut when he lined out at wing-forward in last Sunday’s O’Byrne Cup win over Athlone IT and should also feature against DCU tomorrow.

PÁDRAIG COLLINS (CLARE, CRATLOE)

COLLINS (right) is a huge talent in both hurling and football. He showcased his abilities in 2011 while lining out for the county U21 teams in both codes and in September 2010 had lined out at centre-forward on the Clare minor hurling side that narrowly lost to Kilkenny in the All-Ireland final. He has nailed his colours to the senior football mast for 2012 and the younger brother of senior hurler Sean, made his debut last Sunday in the McGrath Cup against UL.

RONAN O’NEILL (TYRONE, OMAGH)

WITHIN minutes of entering the Healy Park pitch last Sunday afternoon, Ronan O’Neill had made his mark in finding the net on his debut for Tyrone against Queen’s University in the Dr McKenna Cup. A terrific attacking talent and the clear star of Tyrone’s 2010 All-Ireland minor win, O’Neill has been touted as a future senior corner-forward for some time. Gets his first start for the Red Hands against Antrim tomorrow in Casement Park.