MAYO\u2019S DIARMUID O\u2019CONNOR and Deise star Austin Gleeson were honoured with the prestigious Young Player of the Year awards at tonight\u2019s GAA\/GPA Opel Allstar bash at the Convention Centre in the capital.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
21-year-old O\u2019Connor picked up his second straight Young Footballer of the Year and now stands level with big brother Cillian as two-time winners of the award.<\/p>\n
The year ultimately ended in defeat for O\u2019Connor and Mayo after their narrow All-Ireland final replay loss to Dublin in October. However, O\u2019Connor did lead the Mayo U21s to All-Ireland glory back in April.<\/p>\n
He enjoyed another fine year in the green and red of Mayo, scoring a wonderful goal against Kildare in the qualifiers.<\/p>\n
Gleeson, meanwhile, enjoyed another outstanding season with Waterford. The Mount Sion youngster confirmed his status as one of the elite hurlers on the country and he also led his county to All-Ireland U21 honours.<\/p>\n
Gleeson, also 21, played a starring role as Derek McGrath\u2019s Waterford ran Kilkenny to an All-Ireland semi-final replay, where they fell short by a single point.<\/p>\n
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