Longford senior hurler Paddy Lynam selected on the Ring, Rackard and Meagher Team of the Year for 2022

Westmeath native Lynam, who plays with the St Oliver Plunkett’s club in Mullingar, produced a few fine performances this season for the Longford hurlers who suffered the disappointment of losing against Louth in the Lory Meagher Cup Final at Croke Park. 

Nominations came from the players who voted for the best performing players from their competition. This list was deliberated on by an independent selection committee to decide the final 15.

The awards will be presented at a gala black-tie banquet in Croke Park this Friday night, where the Joe McDonagh Team of the Year and the Tailteann Cup Football Team of the Year will also be honoured in an event that will be streamed live on www.gaa.ie The overall players of the year will be announced live on the night.

Remembering Tyrone star Damian Casey

The late Tyrone hurling star, Damian Casey, has been named at wing forward in the Ring, Rackard, and Meagher Team of the Year for 2022.

The 29-year-old Dungannon hero tragically passed away last June. Regarded as one of the greatest hurlers to come out of the Red Hand County, he scored in every one of his 40 appearances and contributed 0-14 to their tally in their Nickey Rackard Cup final victory over Roscommon at Croke Park.

His poignant selection is the fourth year in a row he has featured on the Ring, Rackard, and Meagher Champion 15 selection.

GAA President Larry McCarthy said: “Congratulations to all of those who have been selected and honoured with a place on this prestigious Champion 15 for the Ring, Rackard and Meagher Cups.

“These competitions deliver great games every season and offer players in these counties the chance to perform on the biggest stage of all for an All-Ireland title at Croke Park. Although it is a team game we play, it is only right that we have an opportunity to salute those who have been truly inspirational and influential.

“Your award is one that will be shared by your families and the clubs and communities you proudly represent and in celebrating this occasion we also pause to acknowledge the empty chair that should have been filled by the great Damian Casey and honour his memory and keep him and his loved ones in our thoughts and prayers.”

Tom Parsons, GPA CEO, added: “These competitions continue to provide an opportunity for not alone teams, but also individual players to show the depth of talent hurling has right across the country. 

“I want to celebrate the life and hurling talents of the late, great Damian Casey. He again showed in 2022 that he was a hurler that would grace any team or competition. But more than that, he was a son and a brother, a teammate and a friend, a leader and a role model. Awards seem insignificant given the loss his parents Seán and Susan and his sisters Louise and Catherine are faced with, but I hope this award will act as a reminder to them of the esteem Damian was held in by the Gaelic games family. He will never be forgotten by his fellow players.”

Ring, Rackard & Meagher Team of the Year Selection - Ring (8) Rackard (5) Meagher (2)

1. Paddy McKenna (Kildare/Ring)

2. Dermot Begley (Tyrone/Rackard) (Previous winner in 2018)

3. Rian Boran (Kildare/Ring) (Previous winner in 2020)

4. Mark Craig (Derry/Ring)

5. Chris Kearns (Tyrone/Rackard)

6. Paul Divilly (Kildare/Ring) (Previous winner in 2020)

7. Padraig Kelly (Roscommon/Rackard)

8. Paddy Lynam (Longford/Meagher)

9. Keith Higgins (Mayo/Ring) (Previous winner in 2021)

10. Brian Byrne (Kildare/Ring)

11. Andy Kilcullen (Sligo/Ring)

12. Damian Casey (Tyrone/Rackard) (Previous winner in 2019, 2020 & 2021)

13. James Burke (Kildare/Ring) (Previous winner in 2020)

14. Darren Geoghegan (Louth/Meagher)

15. Daniel Glynn (Roscommon/Rackard)