Westmeath Dominate Tailteann Cup Team Of The Year

Thursday, 20 October 2022 at 12:53

Six players from the cup winning team are picked along with Rhode and Offaly forward Anton Sullivan.

Inaugural champions Westmeath have claimed six slots on the first ever Tailteann Cup Team of the
Year which has been announced today.

There are five counties in all who make up the Tailteann Cup Champion 15 after the successful
staging of the new football championship in 2022 for teams competing in Divisions 3 and 4 who did
not make their provincial final.

The semi-finals and finals at Croke Park were dramatic high-scoring affairs with Westmeath seeing
off Cavan to claim the new cup and guaranteeing a place in the Sam Maguire Championship in 2023
in the process.

The Lake County capture six positions on the first ever Tailteann Cup Team of the Year - led by
veteran star John Heslin, who over the course of the campaign became Westmeath’s all-time top
scorer.

Joining him are defenders Jack Smith, Kevin Maguire and Ronan Wallace, with midfielder Sam
McCartan acknowledged and influential centre forward Ronan O’Toole completing their haul.

Offaly star Anton Sullivan is the Faithful county's only representative.

Cavan stalwarts Killian Clarke and Gearóid McKiernan lead the Breffni contingent with Jason
McLoughlin and Gerard Smith joining them.

Aidan Devaney’s consistency and his shot stopping heroics that saw him save three penalty kicks
gives him the nod for in goal and he is joined by county men Evan Lyons and Seán Carrabine.

Leitrim attacker Keith Beirne complete the selection.

Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy congratulated the winners and said: "The Tailteann Cup was an
excellent addition to the calendar and produced the competitive matches and entertaining football
that we had hoped for.
“Westmeath and Cavan were worthy finalists, and this Team of the Year is a reflection of the players
who delivered exceptional performances over the campaign."