Jerome Cahill named Bord Gáis Energy U-20 Player of the Year
Tipperary’s Jerome Cahill named Bord Gáis Energy U-20 Player of the Year
Kerry’s Michael Slattery named the stand-out player from the Richie McElligott Cup
After scoring 1-1 in last month’s Bord Gáis Energy GAA Hurling U-20 All-Ireland Championship final which saw Tipperary crowned champions for the second year in a row, Jerome Cahill has been named the 2019 Bord Gáis Energy U-20 Player of the Year. The Kilruane MacDonagh's man was influential for Liam Cahill’s side this summer as they claimed the first All-Ireland title at the new U-20 grade.
Kerry’s Michael Slattery has also been named the Bord Gáis Energy Player of the Year for the Richie McElligott Cup, following the Kingdom’s impressive run to lift the trophy. Slattery hit 8 points as Kerry ran out 3-22 to 0-12 winners against Down in last month’s decider.
Both players were in attendance at Cahir Castle, where they were presented with their respective awards by Ger Cunningham, Chair of the 2019 Bord Gáis Energy U-20 Player of the Year Awards committee. Galway hurler and longstanding Bord Gáis Energy Ambassador Joe Canning and TG4’s Mícheál Ó Domhnaill were the other judges.
The Player of the Year award win caps an outstanding season for Jerome Cahill, who did the double with Tipperary having also featured for Tipperary’s Senior Hurlers during their All-Ireland winning campaign.
The versatile forward follows in the footsteps of previous Bord Gáis Energy Player of the Year award winners including Tipperary team-mate Ger Browne (2018), Limerick’s Aaron Gillane (2017) and Waterford’s Stephen Bennett (2016).
Michael Slattery is the second Kerryman in two years to win the Bord Gáis Energy Player of the Year Award for the Richie McElligott Cup after Lixnaw’s Shane Conway picked up the prize last year.
Chair of the Bord Gáis Energy U-20 Player of the Year Awards Committee Ger Cunningham said: “The Bord Gáis Energy U-20 Player of the Year Awards aim to recognise the outstanding individual performances of players who were influential for their teams during the campaign. Tipperary were dominant all year long and Jerome Cahill was a key player for them, showing his scoring instinct and immense leadership qualities.”
“I’m very pleased to present this award to Jerome, who will need to find space in the trophy cabinet alongside his Munster medal and two All-Ireland medals from what has been an exceptional season for the Kilruane McDonagh’s man.”
“Michael Slattery was an ever-present figure for the Kingdom as they lifted the Richie McElligott cup for the second year in a row. His accuracy from frees was a particularly strong asset to the team. Michael has a bright future ahead of him as Kerry hurling continues its rise. We’re delighted to announce him as the deserving winner of this award.”
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