Tue, 23 Jun, 2026 - 13:24

Lynch and Ryan earn places on the Daleta Group U20 Team of the Year

Jimmy Lynch and Ben Ryan have been recognised for their performances for the Kildare U20s this year, while Clogherinkoe man Lynch has also been named as the U20 Leinster Player of the Province

Ger McNally

Kildare duo Jimmy Lynch and Ben Ryan have been recognised for their outstanding performances for Kildare U20s this year by being named on the 2026 Dalata Hotel Group GAA U20 Team of the Year
Leinster Footballer of the Year.

Clogherinkoe forward Lynch has been futher honoured by being named as the Dalata Hotel Group GAA U20 Leinster Player of the Province after some sparking displays.

The left-footer's highlights of the year including a spectacular 1-8 tally in the Leinster semi-final win over Meath, four points in the final victory over Louth and then six points in the All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Tyrone.

Speaking after accepting his award, Lynch said:

"Receiving this award is a huge honour. Representing Kildare at U20 level has been a privilege and I want to thank my teammates, coaches and family for their support throughout the season. Individual awards are special, but they are only possible because of the people around you.

"To see both myself and Ben Ryan recognised on the Team of the Year is a proud moment for Kildare football and a reflection of the hard work and commitment shown by our entire squad throughout the

championship."

Daleta Hotel Group CEO Dermot Crowley also spoke at the presentation.

"Jimmy Lynch's performances throughout the championship showcased the qualities that make elite young footballers stand out. His consistency, composure and ability to influence games made him a key figure for Kildare and a worthy winner of this year's Leinster Footballer of the Year award.

As Dalata enters the second year of its title sponsorship of the GAA U20 Football Championship, our 'For Difference Makers' campaign continues to celebrate players who make a meaningful impact when it matters most. Jimmy demonstrated those qualities throughout the season and has a very bright future ahead of him," he said.

As ever with these awards, it's often those who miss out that are as much as a talking point as those who are awarded and somebody like Ronan Kelly could feel particularly aggrieved not to make the cut, but that is not to take away from the achievements of either Lynch or Ryan.

Ryan was a model of consistency in the Kildare backline and he turned in a succession of all-action displays that had supporters comparing him to his legendary father, Glenn. Comparisons to his father are probably something that young Ben will have to deal with during his career but he is turning into a very, very good player in his own right and his swashbuckling style makes him a fan favourite.

Like many of their U20 team-mates, Lynch and Ryan surely be in senior team manager Brian Flanagan's thoughts ahead of the 2027 season.

The following players have been selected by the Gaelic Writers' Association in recognition of their excellence throughout the 2026 Dalata Hotel Group GAA Football U20 Championship:

· Player of the Year: Gearóid White (Kerry)

· Munster Player of the Province: Gearóid White (Kerry)

· Leinster Player of the Province: Jimmy Lynch (Kildare)

· Ulster Player of the Province: Shea McDermott (Tyrone)

· Connacht Player of the Province: Eoghan Carthy (Roscommon)

2026 Dalata Hotel Group All-Ireland U20 Football Team of the Year:

· Evan Boyle (Kerry)

· Eoghan Carthy (Roscommon)

· Conor Devlin (Tyrone)

· Tom Doherty (Monaghan)

· Gearóid Evans (Kerry)

· Michael Gillooly (Roscommon)