The finale of the U20 hurling championship sparked enormous interest across Ireland as Offaly claimed a memorable title, overcoming Tipp in Nowlan Park on a sunkissed Saturday evening. The competition has proved that the game is unequivocally in good hands.
Here's a look at ten hurlers with bright futures in the game: they've all shown their brilliance at minor and U20 level and though a few of these players have already made the leap to senior, we hope to see them all shine at senior level some day.
1. Adam Screeney (Offaly)
Simply the best underage hurler in the country by a distance, Adam Screeney is the complete package with 1-62 throughout the championship. He's only 19 and he plays like a generational talent.
The Screeney Effect! pic.twitter.com/HroTc0tOF8
— Michael Verney (@mlverney) May 8, 2024
SEE ALSO: Offaly U20 Star Drops F-Bomb During Brilliant Interview After All-Ireland Win
2. Darragh McCarthy (Tipperary)
The Toomervara man carried his Harty Cup-winning form for Nenagh CBS into the county scene, averaging 6 points a game for Brendan Cummins's side. It is no surprise people want to see him on the senior team. His winner against Cork in the Munster final won't be forgotten any time soon.
64 nóim, #CORvTIP@OfficialCorkGAA 0-21@TipperaryGAA 1-19
An scór buacach ó Darragh McCarthy agus is iad Tiobraid Árann seaimpíní na Mumhan 2024! 🥎
Darragh McCarthy with the winning score for Tipperary! 👏
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV 📺 @MunsterGAA #GAABEO @oneills1918 pic.twitter.com/gUJe4fa67W— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 24, 2024
3. Dan Bourke (Offaly)
The skipper lead at the front for the Faithful County throughout the campaign including a man of the match performance in the All-Ireland Final
Bronnadh an corn ar chaptaen na foirne Dan Bourke, Comhghairdeas leo! 🏆🥳
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV 📺#GAABEO pic.twitter.com/HteYhILIBY— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) June 1, 2024
4. Patrick Fitzgerald (Waterford)
Not many young players break onto the Ballygunner senior team in their first season except for Patrick Fitzgerald, who is lethal in front of the goal and is already a lynchpin in a Waterford senior team that took a few big steps forward in 2024.
Patrick Fitzgerald adds to Waterford's early lead with an impressive point for his side. pic.twitter.com/4DFdDMNqSH
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 28, 2023
5. Shane O’Brien (Limerick)
It’s scary how O’Brien was still playing U20 this year with the size of the man as he towers over most on the pitch. He will have a pivotal role in the senior set-up in the not-so-distant future, and his scores against Waterford in the final Munster round robin game were proof of his potential.
Rewind on this slick catch from Shane O'Brien followed by a super score for @LimerickCLG on Sunday with GAANOW! #AllianzLeagues pic.twitter.com/8ib1c1taKH
— The GAA (@officialgaa) March 1, 2023
6. Brecon Kavanagh (Offaly)
A Rolls Royce of a centre-back, Kavanagh has a bright future ahead of him as he could be the next big centre-back to dominate the game
1 June 2024; Brecon Kavanagh of Offaly celebrates after his side's victory in the oneills.com GAA Hurling All-Ireland U20 Championship final match between Offaly and Tipperary at UPMC Nowlan Park in Kilkenny. Photo by Shauna Clinton/Sportsfile
7. William Buckley (Cork)
The Cork skipper has been the leading figure for Ben O’Connor’s side scoring 28 points for the Munster finalists. Another talent to come from the Barrs.
10 nóim, #CORvTIP@OfficialCorkGAA 0-04@TipperaryGAA 0-03
An-phas ar fad ó William Buckley go Jack Leahy! 🥎
Jack Leahy with Cork's 4th point of the match!
BEO/LIVE AR @TG4TV 📺 @MunsterGAA #GAABEO @oneills1918 pic.twitter.com/UqxmJOoYCB— Spórt TG4 (@SportTG4) May 24, 2024
8. Diarmaid Ó Dúlaing (Dublin)
Ó Dúlaing is arguably the best underage prospect in awhile to come out of Dublin hurling. The Commercials man is already making a making at the senior grade.
Diarmuid Ó Dúlaings impressive cameo for Dublin hurlers Vs Galway in the Walsh cup!
We can watch him again this weekend when his school Colaiste Eoin play St. Kierans college in the Leinster A schools semi final tomorrow at 1pm! 😍
Live on Clubber 👉 https://t.co/yMkMTpFUIK pic.twitter.com/VlMP63OBiD— Clubber (@clubber) January 27, 2023
9. Eoghan Gunning (Clare)
The Banner’s All-Ireland minor-winning captain has carried his minor hurler of the year form into the under-20 age group with some sensational performances.
Clare Minor hurling captain Eoghan Gunning talks us through his experience winning an All-Ireland in Thurles last Sunday🟡🔵
Read our full chat with Eoghan here: https://t.co/mNl5vTsCRh
| @ElectricIreland @GaaClare #ThisIsMajor pic.twitter.com/YGgmdrzFwb— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) June 10, 2023
10. Dan Ravenhill (Offaly)
The Offaly youngster would be higher on the list if he hadn’t suffered a season-ending hamstring injury in the opening half of their Joe McDonagh loss against Laois. He has a very bright future if he can stay injury-free.
This is one of my favourite videos of all time. Dan Ravenhill about 5 or 6 years ago pinging a ball to Ross in a cherry picker. Great to see him get on the field yesterday after a bad injury 💪🏼 Anyone that’s pucked a ball in their life knows how much skill this takes! @Offaly_GAA pic.twitter.com/al2VFnllQH
— Sean Duignan (@sean_d108) June 2, 2024
