The Allianz League is often a time when managers can experiment with the crop of young talent coming through on the inter-county scene.

2013 will be no different and there are number of young players up and down the country with the potential to shine during the league campaign as they look to stake their claims for inclusion when the Championship season comes around…

Niall Kelly (Kildare)

After his excellent performance against Donegal in the league curtain raiser at Croke Park, there is a huge buzz around Niall Kelly. At just 19, the Athy club man was sensational last Saturday from half-forward, scoring 0-3 from play against the reigning All Ireland champions.  

Kelly’s development should come as no surprise as he was mercurial at minor level for both club and county, blending industry with vision and technique. Although he only made his senior club debut in 2011, expect to see a lot more of him during the coming weeks.

 

Paul Hudson (Dublin)

Dublin’s U21s had a fantastic year last year by winning the All Ireland title after a 2-12 – 0-11 victory over Roscommon in the Croke Park decider. Alongside Ciaran Kilkenny, Paul Hudson was a key part of that success, scoring 1-4 in that final to bring him up to a tally of 2-14.

The Thomas Davis forward made some appearances in the O’Byrne and is likely to get a run out at some point during the league campaign.

 

Ciaran McFaul (Derry)

McFaul made his senior inter-county debut against UUJ in the McKenna Cup last month and turned out to be the star of the show, scoring 1-1. The youngster was absent against Galway in the league opener last weekend but it is still a meteoric rise for the Maghera club man who was fresh from leading his club to a second successive Ulster Minor Championship, scooping the Liam Murray Player of the Year prize for his contribution.

Cathal Shine (Roscommon)

When Roscommon lost to Dublin in the 2012 All Ireland U21 final, the Rossies could still console themselves with the fact that they have a number of emerging talents like Donie Smith and Cathal Shine. Shine was a ray of light in midfield during that U21 journey and the Clann nGael man has been included in Roscommon’s 2013 panel.

 

Jack Sherwood (Kerry)

The centre back has been heavily decorated at underage level for Kerry, winning multiple Munster minor titles as well as an All Ireland junior title last year.

Eamon Fitzmaurice put some trust in the youngster during Kerry’s successful McGrath Cup campaign and has seen enough potential to give him a place on the panel for 2013.

 

Conor McAliskey (Tyrone)

Conor McAliskey is among a crop of youngsters that Micky Harte has faith in. The Clonoe man was the leading scorer in Division 1 of the Tyrone Championship which has ushered him into Harte’s plans for 2013.

The young forward certainly knows how to get on the scoresheet, getting 1-6 the McKenna Cup and adding 0-2 against Down in his league debut last week.

 

Ciaran Egan (Leitrim)

The talented Gortlettragh full-back who turns 23 later this month has been in and around Leitrim’s panel for the last couple of years.

But this could be a breakthrough campaign for Egan in the Green and Gold of Leitrim as the county’s footballers try to build on an encouraging start to 2013. Egan was a key cornerstone of the side that won the FBD league in January.

 

Ryan McHugh (Donegal)

The younger brother of All Ireland winning All Star Mark McHugh is an exciting prospect in his own right. Jim McGuinness certainly seems to think so as he has drafted the teenager into his 2013 panel.

Ryan McHugh was the star turn as Kilcar won the Donegal Minor title for the second time in three years and is just the latest member of the McHugh clan to line out for Donegal following in brother Mark and All Ireland winning father Martin’s footsteps.

 

Conor O’Shea (Mayo)

It looks like all three O’Shea brothers will line out together for Mayo in the near future as former U21 star Conor joins older brothers Aidan and Seamus on the panel.

The Breaffy club man was prominent during the FBD league as James Horan gave the corner forward his chance. O’Shea lined out against Leitrim and GMIT, scoring 1-1 in the latter fixture as he aims to become a fixture in his own right for his county.

 

Odhran Mulrooney (Cork)

Odhran Mulrooney made his Rebel debut in Cork’s McGrath Cup opener against CIT, and the young forward announced himself on the inter-county stage with two points.

The Douglas newcomer could see action at some point in the league campaign as Cork look to defend their title.

 

Shane Walsh (Galway)

Galway have many young players coming through and at the forefront of that generation is Shane Walsh. Galway manager Alan Mulholland included the Kilkerrin-Clonberne club man in his FBD league plans and the young forward is expected to make his Allianz League bow in the very near future.

The youngster is a graduate of Tuam’s St Jarlath College, a renowned breeding ground for young talent.

 

Philip Quirke (Tipprerary)

One of the key players behind Tipperary’s 2011 All Ireland minor title was Philip Quirke. The Moyle Rovers star came off the bench to score 0-3 in that final and this year he is finally expected to begin making an impression on the senior panel.

The young forward was part of the Tipp side that reached the McGrath Cup final in January.

Padraig McCormack (Longford)

The Emmet Og Killoe star was named Senior Club Player of the Year in Longford. He follows his brother Sean MCormack who is already a key presence in Longford’s panel.

McCormack is versatile - capable of filling in at the back or even in the forward line. The youngster was part of his county’s Allianz league plans last year but he is expected to figure more prominently in the coming weeks after starting at half-forward in Longford’s opening Allianz league defeat to Wexford.

 

Connaire Harrison (Down)

The Glasdrumman man was impressive during the Mournemen’s McKenna Cup campaign, scoring from play in all three matches.

The young forward started Down’s first Allianz League match against Tyrone last weekend and got on the scoresheet with a free. He is expected to feature regularly this campaign.

 

Ciaran Curley (Westmeath)

Ciaran Curley has been brought into the Lakesiders’ squad for 2013 after impressing during Mullingar Shamrocks’ recent County Championship success.

Curley played in the O’Byrne Cup and was particularly impressive against Laois where he notched a personal tally of 0-4. 

 

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