Tailteann Cup: Down quartet named in second-tier competition's team of the year
- Published
Jordan Morris (left) is among the eight inclusions from competition winners Meath while Pierce Laverty (right) is one of four Down men named in the Tailteann Cup team of the year
Down players Pierce Laverty, Danny Magill, Odhran Murdock and Liam Kerr have been named in a Tailteann Cup team of the year dominated by winners Meath.
The Royals, who beat the Mournemen 2-13 to 0-14 in the decider on 15 July, have eight men in the team.
The Meath inclusions are keeper Sean Brennan, Adam O'Neill, Donal Keogan, Padraic Harnan, Conor Gray, Jack Flynn, Jordan Morris and Mathew Costello.
Aghagallon's Antrim forward Ruairi McCann is named at left full-forward.
The remaining members of the team are Cavan defender Padraig Faulkner and Carlow forward Ross Dunphy.
Faulkner becomes the first All-Star to be named in the Tailteann Cup team of the year having won his All-Star three years ago after Cavan's shock Ulster Championship triumph.
GAA president Larry McCarthy said that this year's second-tier competition built on "its impressive debut season in 2022".
"I am delighted to see that talent being recognised in this selection and know that the achievement will be warmly received by your families and clubs and I congratulate you all," added the GAA president.
Gaelic Players Association chief executive Tom Parsons also paid tribute to those named in the team.
"Congratulations to all fifteen players named in the Tailteann Cup team of the year and thank you to all the players, managers, county boards and supporters who have given the competition their backing and seal of approval," said the former Mayo star.
"Set aside the place up for grabs in the Sam Maguire group phase, it is a competition worth winning in its own right and that has been established in just two seasons due to the buy in of all involved."
The awards will be presented to the players at a function in Croke Park on Friday night which will also feature awards for the Ring, Rackard and Meagher Champion 15 teams of the year and the Joe McDonagh team of the year - as well as the presentation of the overall players of the year in those championships.
Tailteann Cup team of 2023: Sean Brennan (Meath); Adam O'Neill (Meath), Pierce Laverty (Down), Padraig Faulkner (Cavan); Donal Keogan (Meath), Padraic Harnan (Meath), Danny Magill (Down); Odhran Murdock (Down), Conor Gray (Meath); Jack Flynn (Meath), Ross Dunphy (Carlow), Liam Kerr (Down); Jordan Morris (Meath), Mathew Costello (Meath), Ruairi McCann (Antrim)