All-Ireland U20 FC final: players to watch as Kerry and Tyrone face off
GOING NUCLEAR: Luke Crowley of Kerry. Pic:Brendan Moran/Sportsfile
At the outset of the 2023 season, Kerry hurling selector Pat Bennett explained why talented prospect Robert Monahan was not available for them.
“I would have been hoping, talked to Tomás a couple of times, hoping the 20s could play both hurling and football. But it does not happen in Kerry. (They) make a decision. In Waterford, you can play hurling and play football as well.”
This year has brought change. Dual player Luke Crowley has played senior hurling and U20 footballer for the Kingdom throughout the season. On Sunday, he is set to miss the Joe McDonagh tie against Offaly as it clashes with the U20 final. Crowley, son of Kerry’s three-time All-Ireland SFC winner Johnny, has kicked eight points en route to the final.
In the aftermath of a six-point victory in the Munster final, wing-back Charlie Keating made his way over for a man-of-the-match interview. There was little time to bask in the triumph as he was asked about the upcoming semi-final against Leinster champions Meath.
“A fast turnaround but we’ll be ready for that,” the Dr Crokes club man declared. In more ways than one. On the morning of the match, Keating had to sit college exams. The wing-back is a unit and has already played senior football for his club in the 2023 championship.
Last year four Irish players were invited to take part in the 2023 AFL Draft Combine in Melbourne. Three of them, Down’s Odhran Murdock, Galway’s James McLaughlin and Cork’s Conor Corbett, have played senior intercounty football. The other is promising forward McElholm.
McElholm clocked 2.993 seconds in the 20m sprint, inside the top 10 with only one athlete managing to go under 2.9. He was Tyrone U17 captain in 2020 and a key component of Omagh CBS’ drive to MacRory and Hogan Cup triumph.
McElholm can operate as a withdrawn corner forward and a playmaker. He is also a proven scorer hitting 5-11 so far. There is no doubt where Tomás Ó Sé’s defensive plan will start.
In what proved a rare campaign for Ulster, both the U20 and senior finals were decided by penalties. The hero for Tyrone in their shootout against Derry was goalkeeper Conor McAneney. He saved three spot-kicks before Noah Grimes slotted the winner.
The shot-stopper was also a member of the 2021 Ulster minor winning outfit. In the 3-18 to 3-8 semi-final win over Roscommon at Kingspan Breffni, McAneney kicked two points from a free and a 45. His kickouts are a crucial launchpad for Paul Devlin’s team.
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