Simon has a shout for U-21 selection

SIMON DONOHOE is the only Wexford player on the shortlist for the Bord Gáis Energy Under-21 hurling team of the year which was revealed on Friday. The Shelmaliers dual player is one of three young men in the running for the right corner-back slot, along with James Madden from Dublin and Waterford’s William Hahessy.

It was an eventful summer for the tenacious defender, as he was primarily involved with the county Senior football team but ended it by making his debut with the Senior hurlers.

In between he figured prominently in the Under-21 hurling loss to Dublin in Innovate Wexford Park, with the home county dethroned after three years as Leinster champions.

The fact that Wexford had just one outing is reflected in the list of nominations which also includes players from Waterford (twelve), Dublin (nine), Galway and Tipperary (five each), Westmeath, Limerick and Offaly (three each), Clare (two), Antrim and Cork (one each).

Not surprisingly, those shortlisted for player of the year are all Waterford men: Austin Gleeson, Patrick Curran and Stephen Bennett. An effort by Seán Ryan for Dublin against Wexford is one of twelve nominations for the score of the year award.

The winners will be announced on Newstalk’s ‘Off The Ball’ on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 4 and 5, with the awards to be presented at a function in Dublin’s Mansion House on Saturday, October 8.