*Paul Rodgers. Photograph: Gerard O’Neill
FOUR Clare minor hurlers have been selected on the Electric Ireland Hurling Minor Star Team of the Year.
Captain Graham Ball, sharpshooter Paul Rodgers, centre-back Dara Kennedy and goalkeeper Leon Talty have been included on the team of the year which was named on Wednesday morning.
Ger O’Connell’s side reached the All-Ireland final where they came up short against a strong Waterford outfit on a score of 1-18 0-11 at the end of June. Graham, Paul and Dara had been part of the 2024 panel who reached the All-Ireland semi-final.
Over the course of seven championship appearances this season, Scariff’s Paul Rodgers scored a total of 2-52, his ability to hit over sideline cuts from long distance and score points from all angles saw him stand out as one of the players of the year.
At midfield, Graham Ball of St Joseph’s Doora/Barefield was a ball of energy during Clare’s run to the All-Ireland final. The St Flannan’s College student displayed throughout the campaign why he was an ideal choice to serve as captain.
Centre-back Dara Kennedy demonstrated his ability to pick out passes from distance, his manner of spraying the ball to Clare’s inside line was central to their run to the final with the Ballyea man recovering from a quad injury which saw him miss the first two rounds.
Netminder Leon Talty was a solid presence between the posts for O’Connell’s side and played every minute in Clare’s campaign. He kept a clean sheet in Clare’s fourth round win over Limerick in the Munster championship and the 2-20 0-13 All-Ireland quarter-final win over Dublin.
All-Ireland champions Waterford lead the way with five members selected on the team of the year followed by Clare’s four and four from Cork with two Kilkenny representatives selected.
Cormac Spain of Ballygunner in Waterford was named Electric Ireland Minor Star Hurling Player of the Year: Waterford’s Cormac Spain. Spain delivered several outstanding scoring performances, most notably his remarkable 11-point contribution in the All-Ireland final against Clare, despite playing through a leg injury.
2025 Electric Ireland Hurling Minor Star Team of the Year
1. Leon Talty (Clare and St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield)
2. Darragh Heavin (Cork and Russell Rovers)
3. Conor Lynch (Waterford and Geraldines)
4. Darragh Keane (Waterford and De La Salle)
5. Michael Tadhg Brosnan (Cork and Glen Rovers)
6. Dara Kennedy (Clare and Ballyea)
7. Colm Garde (Cork and Lisgoold)
8. Graham Ball (Clare and St. Joseph’s Doora-Barefield)
9. Gearóid O’Shea (Waterford and St. Molleran’s)
10. Shane Power (Waterford and De La Salle)
11. Cormac Deane (Cork and Killeagh)
12. Jake Mullen (Kilkenny and Shamrocks Ballyhale)
13. Cormac Spain (Waterford and Ballygunner)
14. Paul Rodgers (Clare and Scariff)
15. Cian Byrne (Kilkenny and O’Loughlin Gaels)
