THE FOOTBALLERS TO WATCH IN 2021
Whenever the football season resumes, these players are poised to take centre stage
THERE’S no clear indication as to when the football season will get up and running, but it’s still worth taking a look at some of the footballers who could light up 2021.
Some are on the cusp of burgeoning senior careers, others are returning from injury, the AFL or a break from the inter-county scene – but all have the potential to make a big impact in this championship . . .
LEE GANNON (Dublin)
ONE of Dublin’s best performers in their All-Ireland U-20 defeat to Galway where he landed a long-range outside-of-the-boot point, Na Fianna man Gannon put down a strong season with Tom Gray’s side. Used as a midfielder in the decider, he’s a versatile sort and registered three points from wing-back in the All-Ireland semi-final win over Tyrone. A man in demand, he had a brief flirtation with the county hurlers, having been on the extended squad in 2019. And given that Dublin’s cover isn’t as deep in defence as other areas of the pitch – combined with the Dubs’ policy of introducing new faces on a regular basis – he could taste action this year.
TONY BROSNAN (Kerry)
KERRY fans have been waiting to see more of Brosnan (below), although he’s not a young gun. He made his championship debut for Kerry back in 2016 as a 20-year-old but injury and long club campaigns with Dr Crokes prevented regular playing runs with Kerry and that theme continued last year when he punctured a lung a before the intercounty season resumed. That setback came as he was hitting top form – scoring 2-10 in Crokes’ first-round championship win over Austin Stacks. Brosnan is used to being patient and had to serve his time before forcing his way into the Crokes team as he found himself behind the likes of Colm Cooper, Kieran O’Leary and Eoin Brosnan at one point. Similarly, the Kerry full-forward line is a competitive division but with a clean bill of health, Brosnan looks like he has the stuff.
MATTHEW TIERNEY (Galway)
ALREADY part of Pádraic Joyce’s plans, Tierney booted over what proved to be the decisive score in last year’s U-20 final win over Dublin on a day he hit four points. The Oughterard youngster fitted a lot into 2020, given that win with Galway was his second All-Ireland medal in the year, having already won All-Ireland club IFC honours. Has a job on his hands to get into the Galway team, considering some of Joyce’s forward options, but can force his way in.
CONOR GLASS (Derry)
ONE of the standout underage players of his vintage, Glass captained Derry to an Ulster MFC title back in 2015 and led St Pat’s Maghera to a Hogan Cup final – where they lost out to David Clifford’s St Brendan’s – before going on to sign with AFL side Hawthorn. Late last year, he returned to Ireland and made his debut with Derry.
It speaks as to how highly he is rated that boss Rory Gallagher handed him his first senior appearance just days after he had completed his isolation period. With four-and-a-half years as a professional athlete behind him – and the prospect of a full pre-season with a football – Glass can be a force in 2021.
JORDAN MORRIS (Meath)
ON the resumption of the county season last year, Morris moved from substitute to central figure for the Royals. Coming off the bench against Dublin and Monaghan in the league, he kicked 0-2 and 0-7 respectively. He continued that form in the championship, hitting 3-4 against Wicklow, 1-1 against Kildare and on a disastrous night for Meath in the Leinster final, he was the only Royal County man to score more than once. He fired over four points, three of those from play. A beautiful kicker with his left, Meath return to Division 2 in 2021 where they’ll hope the Nobber man can build on last year’s classy performances.
MARK MORAN (Mayo)
WESTPORT’S Moran announced himself on the stage in spectacular fashion as he put in a brilliant performance when Mayo tore Galway apart in their league meeting on the resumption of action last year. However, injury and the rapid-fire nature of the season meant he didn’t see as many minutes as might have been expected. He started the league defeat to Tyrone and came off the bench against Roscommon in the Connacht SFC semi-final and against the Tribesmen in the provincial decider. A stylish operator with an eye for a pass and a point, Moran could have a bright future.
ODHRÁN MAC NIALLAIS (Donegal)
NOT exactly a newcomer but Mac Niallais (right) will feel like a new player for Declan Bonner as he is back in harness after two summers away from the inter-county scene. His decision to return comes at just the right time for Donegal after missing out on an All-Ireland semi-final place for the third season in succession. A lovely kick-passer, he is almost serene in possession and could provide the ammunition to a Donegal forward line loaded with potential.
MARK CRONIN (Cork)
RONAN McCARTHY hasn’t been afraid to give youth its fling and Nemo’s Mark Cronin is sure to feature in his 2021 thoughts. A star of the U-20 side that won the All-Ireland in 2019, he was eligible for that age grade again in 2020 and hit 0-4 as Cork went down to Kerry in the Munster final. He has the pedigree, too, with brothers Alan and Stephen previously lining out for the Rebels.