The rise of Paddy Durcan continued unabated

THE CONNAUGHT TELEGRAPH YOUNG SPORTSTARS OF THE YEAR NO. 14:

 

IT was another great journey for Mayo senior footballers in 2017 as they returned to Croke Park to face Dublin yet again in another All-Ireland final.

It was another close call but not many had envisaged Mayo picking themselves up after the final defeat of 2016 to return yet again to the All-Ireland stage having lost to Galway in the Connaught championship semi-final.

That defeat took them to some interesting places as they battled their way back to a place in the final having sailed very close to the wind on a few occasions, notably against Derry, Cork and Roscommon, before pulling out the game of the year in a replay with Kerry in the semi-final.

Paddy Durcan's talent has already been recognised by an award in 2016 but once again we couldn’t overlook the year this young man has put into serving his club and his county.

Long may it last.