All eyes in the GAA world will be on MacHale Park on Sunday as Galway take on Mayo to bring the 2018 GAA season well and truly to life. At the same time, a very intriguing Electric Ireland Connacht Minor Football championship kicked off last week, and it seems that Connacht's famous duopoly will dominate the U17 grade this summer. Galway are chasing an amazing fourth Electric Ireland Connacht title in a row this year but based on the results from the province's first round robin fixtures, Mayo look certain to throw up a serious challenge. Galway scored 4-18 against Roscommon while Mayo managed to outdo them with 4-20 against Leitrim.
Not surprisingly, two of the nominees from this week's Electric Ireland Minor Footballer of the Week poll hail from Galway and Mayo, and there's one Monaghan representative as well, following their fine win against Antrim in Belfast over the weekend.
Without further ado, here are your nominees:
Aidan Halloran (Galway)
These are exciting times for Aidan Halloran, tyro in attack for Galway in the Electric Ireland Connacht championship. Halloran, who plays his club ball with Salthill-Knocknacarra, is something of a dual sport prodigy. Last month, he scored his first goal for Galway United U17s against Waterford United.
📸 UNDER-17s | Look what it means to Aidan Halloran to score his first goal for Galway United in this afternoon's 3-0 win against Waterford FC! 😆 #GUFC pic.twitter.com/OLKTnllMjh
— Gaillimh Aontaithe (@GalwayUnitedFC) April 14, 2018
Last week, Halloran made his debut with the Galway minors and wouldn't you know, there were more goals. Halloran scored an impressive 2-2 as Galway routed Roscommon 4-18 to 0-08 in Tuam.
Great win for the Galway Minor Footballers in the U17 ConnachtGAA Championship this evening in Tuam.
Galway 4-18 to Roscommon 0-08 #gaillimhabù— Tribesmen GAA (@TribesmenGAA) May 4, 2018
As Galway push for that 4th Electric Ireland Connacht MFC in a row, Halloran, it seems, will be front and centre.
Enda Hession (Mayo)
Mayo got their Electric Ireland Connacht MFC campaign off to a rollicking start with a 4-20 to 1-08 win over an undermanned Leitrim side last week in MacHale Park and captain Enda Hession well and truly led the line. The Garrymore corner forward finished the evening with 2-4 to his name, including Mayo's first three points and a goal from the spot that made it 1-4 to 0-0. His second goal came in the second half, when the match was well and truly decided. Leitrim's squad was affected by the senior team's match in America, but there was no denying Hession's class on the night.
Connacht Minor Championship Rd 1
Full time#MayoGAA:4-20(32)#LeitrimGAA:1-8(11).— Mayo GAA (@MayoGAA) May 2, 2018
Seán Jones (Monaghan)
Monaghan's 2018 Electric Ireland MFC campaign got off to a tough start in late April as the Farney men lost a difficult match to a spirited Derry side. The Ulster teams were out again last weekend, and Monaghan were highly impressive in a 3-10 to 0-07 points win over Antrim. Seán Jones started in the corner forward line and played a huge part in Monaghan's massive performance.
@ElectricIreland Ulster U17 MFC
06mins 1st half
Monaghan :1-3(6)
Antrim
:0-0(0). goal Sean Jones— @monaghangaa (@monaghangaa) May 5, 2018
Jones scored 1-3 in just 44 minutes, including a sixth minute goal that put early daylight between the two sides.
Have your say and cast your vote for the player of the week nominees on Electric Ireland's Facebook page by clicking here. All nominated players will be in with a chance of making overall team/player of the year at the 2018 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Awards.
