Kildare duo named on Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Football Team of the Year
Greg Kelly celebrates scoring a goal against Meath in the Leinster Minor Football Final Photo: ©INPHO/Grace Halton
Kildare's Liam Mescal and Greg Kelly have been rewarded for outstanding championship campaigns after being named on the 2026 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Football Team of the Year.
This season’s Minor Football Championship proved to be another unforgettable year, packed with thrilling drama, standout talent and incredible minor moments, as Electric Ireland celebrates 15 years of partnership with the GAA.
Kildare were at the heart of that with their dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Meath in the Leinster Final. They went on to record their first ever Championship win over Kerry at the this grade, or indeed any opponent from Munster, in the quarter-final. In the semi-final stage, Kildare were beaten by three points by Tyrone but were chasing the game until the very last kick of the game.
Electrifying wing-back Mescal consistently caught the eye with his pacy breaks out of defence. Kelly was always a powerful presence around the middle third for Kildare and scored in seven of his team’s eight games, finishing with a total of 1-20.
After Kildare were beaten at the last four stage by Tyrone, the final was played in Cedral St Conleths Park in Newbridge between the Ulster champions and Cork, and turned out to be a hugely entertaining game.
Behind by 0-7 to 1-13 with 39 minutes on the clock, Cork’s young Rebels rose to the occasion by scoring an unanswered 1-5 to complete a stellar come back.
In this year’s Electric Ireland Minor Star Football Team of the Year, reflecting their championship triumph, Cork dominate the panel with seven inclusions, closely followed by fellow finalists Tyrone with six. The remaining two spots on this year’s squad go to semi-finalists Kildare.
Electric Ireland has also announced Cork’s Joe Miskella as this year’s Electric Ireland Minor Star Football Player of the Year. A key driver behind the Rebels' All-Ireland triumph, the Ballincollig star led by example all season with his leadership and scoring ability. Miskella set the standard in the final with a vital pair of two-pointers, capping off a series of standout performances that propelled Cork to glory.
1. Rory Twohig (Cork and Kilmeen)
2. Aaron O’Sullivan (Cork and Glanmire)
3. James Maguire (Tyrone and Killyclogher St. Mary’s / Cappagh)
4. Liam Mescal (Kildare and Eadestown)
5. Aodhán Corry (Tyrone and Trillick St Macartan’s)
6. Tomás Gallen (Tyrone and Fintona Pearses)
7. Éanna Lynch (Cork and Ballincollig)
8. Kieran O’Shea (Cork and Urhan)
9. Charlie Meenan (Tyrone and Killyclogher St. Mary’s / Cappagh)
10. Eoghan Ahern (Cork and Carrigaline)
11. Matthew F Daly (Tyrone and Eglish St. Patrick’s)
12. Joe Miskella (Cork and Ballincollig)
13. Tom Whooley (Cork and Clonakilty)
14. Greg Kelly (Kildare and Castledermot)
15. Vincent Gormley (Tyrone and An Charraig Mhór Naomh Colmcille)
Jillian Saunders, Group Sponsorship & PR Manager at Electric Ireland, commented: “We are delighted to unveil the 2026 Electric Ireland GAA Minor Star Football Team of the Year and celebrate these exceptional young players. This season delivered incredible skill, passion, and high-stakes drama, culminating in a magnificent final between Cork and Tyrone. I want to extend my congratulations to all the players across the country who represented their counties so brilliantly this year - the future of GAA looks remarkably bright.”
Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns, said: “My sincere congratulations to all the young men named in the 2026 Electric Ireland Minor Football Team of the Year. It has been a true pleasure watching these athletes represent their counties with such pride, skill, and determination this year. A special word of praise goes to Cork’s Joe Miskella on being named Electric Ireland Minor Star Football Player of the Year, his outstanding leadership and talent were vital to his county's All-Ireland success.”
