The Electric Ireland GAA All-Ireland Minor Championships are beginning to reach the business end of their competitions in both football and hurling, with provincial champions now crowned in each code.
With that in mind, we thought it was a good opportunity to look at a few footballers (and one hurler) who've stepped into the footsteps of fathers who played intercounty, and represented their county at minor level this year.
Like father, like son, as they say: here's seven players who played minor in 2024 whose father also played intercounty.
Dara and Adrian McGuckin (Derry)
The McGuckin name is strongly tied to Derry GAA and Dara has followed a line of Ulster champions within the family. His grandad Adrian (a renowned GAA coach who won 12 MacRory Cups and four Hogan Cups with St Patrick's Maghera) won an Ulster Minor title with the Oak Leaf County in 1965 while 30 years later Dara's father (Adrian junior) also picked up an Ulster Minor medal.
Three generations of Ulster Minor Football Champions.
🏆Adrian McGuckin (senior) 1965
🏆Adrian McGuckin (junior) 1995
🏆Dara McGuckin 2023, 2024 pic.twitter.com/HtILpxn83v— Derry GAA (@Doiregaa) May 26, 2024
Diarmaid O'Rourke & Aidan O'Rourke (Armagh)
Son of legendary Armagh wing back Aidan O'Rourke, who also happens to be the Armagh minor boss, Diarmaid has a few traits that that are similar to his father's. The ability and willingness to kick fast and early ball into the forward line is a key skill that Aidan has clearly passed down to his son. Aidan's most famous pass was of course in the 2002 All-Ireland final when his diagonal ball setup up Stephen McDonnell for the game winning score.
O'Rourke's Armagh fell short to Derry in last weekend's Ulster minor final.
17 June 2023; Donegal manager Aidan O'Rourke before the GAA Football All-Ireland Senior Championship Round 3 match between Monaghan and Donegal at O'Neills Healy Park in Omagh, Tyrone. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Kobe & Ciaran McDonald (Mayo)
Kobe is perhaps the most famous minor in Ireland given the stature in which his father Ciaran is held in. Ciaran McDonald was one of the most skilful Gaelic footballers of his generation and he helped Mayo reach All-Ireland finals in 2004 and 2006. Kobe has been in magnificent form for Mayo this season, hitting three goals in four outings, as they reached, and eventually won, the Connacht final with four wins from four.
SEE ALSO: Kobe McDonald Balled Out As Mayo Secure Spot In Connacht Minor Final
Kobe McDonald, son of Ciarán, has made the step up to minor👀@ElectricIreland #ThisIsMajorpic.twitter.com/92r2Is0Mwk
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) April 12, 2024
Ross and Diarmuid Marsden (Armagh)
Like his fellow county teammate Diarmaid O’Rourke, Ross Marsden is the son of an All-Ireland winner as well as his father Diarmuid kicked three-points in the 2002 All-Ireland final against Kerry. Ross has been a regular scorer for the Orchard County youngsters this season and he set up Armagh’s goal last weeks Ulster final with a beautiful pass, but he was unfortunately black carded just before the half time break.
26 May 2024; Referee Barry McMenamin hands out a black card to Ross Marsden from Armagh during the Electric Ireland Ulster GAA Football Minor Championship final match between Armagh and Derry at O'Neill's Healy Park in Omagh, Tyrone. Photo by Philip Fitzpatrick/Sportsfile
Turlough and Tomas and Shane Carr (Donegal)
Carr brothers Turlough and Tomas are sons of former Donegal defender Shane, and both played for the Tir Chonaill minors this season. The pair also helped their club, Four Masters, claim Ulster Championship glory at the start of the year as they downed Cavan Gaels by three points. Their father Shane won a county championship with Four Masters in 2003 and also played for Donegal in two Ulster finals, which they lost to Armagh in 2002 and 2004.
3 July 2005; Shane Carr of Donegal in action against Finbar O'Reilly of Cavan during the GAA All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Qualifier, Round 2 match between Cavan and Donegal at Kingspan Breffni Park in Cavan. Photo by Pat Murphy/Sportsfile
Cormac and Joe Deane (Cork)
Joe Deane was a Cork hurling icon during the noughties as he helped the Rebels capture three All-Ireland titles throughout his 13-year career, in 1999, 2004 and 2005. He finished the 2004 season as the third top scorer in the country with 1-36 and also won three All-Star awards. His son Cormac lined out for the Cork minors this season, although they recently crashed out of the All-Ireland series with a 12-point defeat at the hands of Wexford.
GOAL for Cork 🙌
Cormac Deane, son of Cork legend Joe Deane, sets up Mark O'Brien who finishes low to the net 🚀
Great game here so far in the Munster Minor Hurling Championship 👏
➡️ Watch it LIVE on https://t.co/8RTIDVIpju 🔗@OfficialCorkGAA | @MunsterGAA pic.twitter.com/LEoUOTdl5L— Clubber (@clubber) April 4, 2024
