The Nickey Rackard winners Roscommon lead the way in this year’s Champion 15 selection, claiming an impressive four spots on this formidable team, with a further six counties also  represented. 

Enda Lawless claims the number 1 jersey and is supported by fellow Rossies in Mark Ward  and Conor Cosgrove with Roscommon conceding only two goals throughout the  competition. Mayo’s Oisín Greally takes the final spot in the full backline.  

The backline is completed by London’s Christy Ring winners Conor Byrne and Enda Egan,  along with Derry’s defeated finalist Ruairí Ó Mianáin. 

In midfield, Mayo’s Daniel Huane and Derry’s Eamon Conway were reliable scorers, with  Huane hitting nine points and Conway adding 16 for their respective counties. 

The forward line features six counties, with six sharp shooters combining for a total of 8-139 between them. Two forwards proved crucial in winning silverware: David Mangan’s 1-7  earned him Man of the Match in the Lory Meagher Cup final, while Sean Canning’s brilliant  1-2 helped his side claim the Nickey Rackard Cup. 

GAA President Jarlath Burns said: “Congratulations to all of those who have been selected  on this impressive Champion 15 selection, which is recognition for those players who were a  cut above the rest in another fantastic season of Championship hurling. It is an additional reward for the hard work and effort and sacrifice you put into representing your county and  I’ve no doubt it is an honour that will be cherished by the families and clubs you represent. 

Gaelic Players Association CEO Tom Parsons said: “The Champion 15 Team of the Year is  unique in that it awards individual players drawn from 3 different competitions. The cream  always rises to the top and it’s unsurprising to see the winners and finalists take all but one  of the spots on the team, Wicklow’s Pádraig Doyle being the outlier. 

“Congratulations to all 15 players. Given the nature of a team picked across three tiers, you  probably have to stand out even more to be selected. You should be proud of your efforts. I  hope all those involved in hurling in the seven counties represented will also take pride in  seeing you being recognised in this way.” 

Players from the Ring, Rackard, and Meagher Cups were asked to nominate outstanding  performers in their competitions, with an independent selection committee adjudicating on  the final team, based on player performances, supported by video footage and county  nominations. 

The awards will be presented at a gala black-tie function in Croke Park this Friday night. The  award show will be streamed live on the GAA YouTube channel and GAA.ie from 7pm and  will also feature the awards for the Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year and the Tailteann  Cup Team of the Year - as well as the presentation of the overall Players of the Year in these  championships. Tomorrow will see the Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the year announced and  the Tailteann Cup team of the year will then be announced on Thursday. 

Champion 15 Team of the Year: 

1. Enda Lawless (Roscommon) (Nickey Rackard) 

2. Mark Ward (Roscommon) ((Nickey Rackard) 

3. Conor Byrne (London) (Christy Ring) 

4. Oisín Greally (Mayo) (Nickey Rackard) 

5. Enda Egan (London) (Christy Ring) 

6. Conor Cosgrove (Roscommon) (Nickey Rackard) 

7. Ruairí Ó Mianáin (Derry) (Christy Ring) 

8. Daniel Huane (Mayo) (Nickey Rackard) 

9. Eamon Conway (Derry) (Christy Ring) 

10. Liam O’Brien (Cavan) (Lory Meagher) 

11. Sean Glynn (London) (Christy Ring) 

12. David Mangan (New York) (Lory Meagher)

13. Sean Canning (Roscommon) (Nickey Rackard) 

14. Pádraig Doyle (Wicklow) (Christy Ring) 

15. Liam Lavin (Mayo) (Nickey Rackard) 

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