EirGrid got a final burst of exposure for their sponsorship of the U21 All-Ireland Football Championship yesterday with the revealing of the winner of a public vote for the EirGrid U21 Player of the Year as part of the EirGrid 21 Under 21 Awards.
The awards, now in their third year see the Gaelic Writers Association and EirGrid ambassador Seán Cavanagh select the top 21 players of the Championship with the Player of the Year chosen through a public vote.
This year, the three nominees for that award were Dublin duo Aaron Byrne and Brian Howard and Galway’s Seán Andy Ó Ceallaigh.
Social
Fans cast their votes on the official GAA Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages between Tuesday 16th and Thursday 18th May. Aaron Byrne from Dublin took the title, receiving 4,315 votes (46%).
“I’m honoured to be receiving this award from EirGrid today,” said Byrne.
“To think of all the great players who are playing at U21 level this year in Dublin and other counties across the country, it really came as a shock.”
“EirGrid contributed greatly to the recognition of this hugely competitive championship which has entertained GAA supporters for the past three years. We had a fantastic year with the Dubs and this is a nice way to cap off the last ever U21 Championship competition.”
Historic
“2017 was historic as it was the final occasion this competition was played at the U21 age grade,” said GAA President Aogán Ó Fearghail.
“These players from across the country should be proud to be named in this group as their names and achievements will now forever be associated in the history books with this superb competition. Comhghairdeas le gach duine.”
“We are delighted to honour the top 21 performers in what was the last Championship at the U21 age grade and congratulations to Dublin’s Aaron Byrne who has been awarded the EirGrid U21 Player of the Year for the 2017 championship,” added Valerie Hedin, External Communications Manager for EirGrid.
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“While we were blown away by the character and effort of many team performances this year, it is always nice to be able to recognise the individual feats throughout the campaign.”
“The talent displayed proves how competitive and exciting this Championship is and we look forward to a new chapter at U20 level.”
The focus of Age Grade Championships in the GAA now moves to the Bord Gais Energy U21 Hurling Championship which launches today and to the Electric Ireland Minor Championships in Hurling and Football which are already into their initial stages at provincial level.
