Where Are They Now? The 2017 Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Hurling All-Stars

The inaugural Electric Ireland Minor Star Awards produced a hurling team packed with players who would go on to make their mark at senior level.

Galway supplied six members after defeating Cork 2-17 to 2-15 in a thrilling All-Ireland final, with the Rebels contributing five. Dublin had two representatives, while Clare and Kilkenny supplied one each.

Here is what became of the 2017 selection.

Where Are They Now? The 2017 Electric Ireland All-Ireland Minor Hurling All-Stars
1. Darach Fahy – Galway and Ardrahan

Fahy progressed through Galway’s underage ranks before establishing himself on the senior panel. He was named on the 2022 Fitzgibbon Cup Team of the Year while representing GMIT and later moved to the University of Limerick.

The Ardrahan goalkeeper enjoyed a particularly memorable 2026, winning the Fitzgibbon Cup with UL before he helped the Tribesmen win Leinster and reach the All-Ireland final.

2. Caimin Killeen – Galway and Loughrea

Killeen has continued to line out for Loughrea and played his part in the club’s recent success. They won consecutive Galway senior titles before reaching the 2026 All-Ireland club final, where they were beaten by Ballygunner.

He has also been involved with the Galway senior panel, he scored two points in Loughrea’s opening round championship defeat to Tommy Larkins.

3. Seán O’Leary-Hayes – Cork and Midleton

The captain of the 2017 Cork minor team, O’Leary-Hayes later represented his county at U20 and senior level. He made several league and championship appearances for Cork between 2020 and 2021.

The Midleton defender subsequently moved to New York, transferring to Westmeath GAA for the 2024 season. He helped them win the 2025 New York Senior Hurling Championship and has been working as a project manager.

4. Darren Morrissey – Galway and Sarsfields

Morrissey captained the 2017 Galway side and eventually repeated that honour at senior level.

After overcoming a serious shoulder injury which required surgery, the Sarsfields defender was appointed Galway captain for 2026. He led them to a Leinster title and the All-Ireland final, completing a remarkable journey from minor captain to senior county skipper.

5. Aidan McCarthy – Clare and Inagh-Kilnamona

McCarthy became one of the most accomplished senior players on the selection. He was central to Clare’s unforgettable 2024 season, winning the National League before helping the Banner claim the All-Ireland title.

He scored a superb 1-7 in the epic final victory over Cork and finished the championship with 2-61. McCarthy was not part of Clare’s plans for the 2026 campaign but has continued playing club hurling with Inagh-Kilnamona, along with football for Kilmurry-Ibrickane.

6. James Keating – Cork and Kildorrery

Keating captained Cork at U20 level in 2019, when they reached both the Munster and All-Ireland finals. He had also been part of the Cork team that won the 2018 Munster U21 title.

He did not make the breakthrough with the Cork senior team but has remained an important player for Kildorrery.

7. Lee Gannon – Dublin and Whitehall Colmcille

Gannon’s sporting path took an interesting turn. Although selected on this hurling team and later a Leinster U20 hurling champion, he ultimately concentrated on Gaelic football.

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He became an established defender with the Dublin senior footballers and was part of their 2023 All-Ireland-winning squad. Gannon remained a prominent member of the team in 2026, featuring heavily during their run to the All-Ireland semi-final.

8. Daire Connery – Cork and Na Piarsaigh

Connery progressed to the Cork senior panel and made his championship debut in 2020. He also won Munster and All-Ireland honours with Cork at U20 level.

The skilful Na Piarsaigh player has been unfortunate with injuries, including a torn cruciate ligament which interrupted his recent progress. He returned to club championship action during the summer of 2026 and remains one of Na Piarsaigh’s most influential players.

9. Conor Fahey – Galway and Pádraig Pearses

Fahey was part of the Galway midfield during their successful 2017 campaign and later represented the University of Galway in college hurling.

While he did not establish himself with the Galway senior team, he has remained heavily involved with Pádraig Pearses. Fahey was still lining out at midfield during the club’s 2025 Galway championship campaign.

10. Brian Roche – Cork and Bride Rovers

Roche has become a regular member of Cork’s senior setup alongside his twin brother Eoin. He made his championship debut in 2019 and was part of the panel that won the National League and reached the All-Ireland final in 2025.

He has continued to impress with Bride Rovers, helping them win the 2026 Cork Division Two hurling league title.

11. Seán Currie – Dublin and Na Fianna

Currie developed into one of Dublin’s leading forwards. He finished as the leading scorer in the 2025 All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship, earning an All-Star nomination after registering 4-68 across the campaign.

He has also enjoyed enormous success with Na Fianna, winning an All-Ireland club title and three consecutive Dublin championships. His stoppage-time winner secured the third of those county crowns in 2025. Currie underwent shoulder surgery ahead of the 2026 season but returned during Dublin’s run to the Leinster final.

12. Adrian Mullen – Kilkenny and Ballyhale Shamrocks

Mullen has gone on to become one of the most recognisable hurlers from this selection. He was named Young Hurler of the Year and received an All-Star in 2019, his first full season with Kilkenny.

The Ballyhale Shamrocks star has won multiple county, Leinster and All-Ireland club titles while also collecting several Leinster medals with Kilkenny. A broken thumb and persistent groin problems disrupted his 2026 season, but he returned to club action with Ballyhale earlier this month.

13. Seán Bleahene – Galway and Ahascragh-Fohenagh

Bleahene followed his 2017 minor success with one of the most dramatic scores in Galway’s underage history. In the 2018 Leinster U21 final, he struck a goal with the final puck of extra-time to snatch a 4-21 to 2-26 victory over Wexford and secure Galway’s first title in the competition.

Bleahene was handed opportunities with the Galway senior team shortly after leaving this, under Shane O’Neill he scored 2-4 in a challenge match win over Clare in 2019.

14. Jack Canning – Galway and Portumna

The nephew of Galway legend Joe Canning, Jack produced the defining performance of the 2017 minor final. His two goals earned him the man-of-the-match award as Galway edged out Cork.

Canning explored opportunities in rugby and Australian football before returning to hurling. He was brought into the Galway senior panel in 2021 but did not establish himself in the championship team. He has since moved to Australia and was appointed joint captain of the Emeralds hurling team in Brisbane for the 2026 season.

15. Brian Turnbull – Cork and Douglas

Turnbull was named the inaugural Electric Ireland Minor Hurler of the Year after an outstanding 2017 campaign in which he scored 1-51.

His progress was interrupted by a serious cruciate ligament injury suffered shortly after the All-Ireland final. Turnbull fought his way back and made senior appearances for Cork in 2020 and 2021, although further injury issues limited his opportunities.

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