Laois GAA have announced that Jake Darcy is the U-20 footballer of the year for the 2024 season.
The Annanough defender, who is eligible for the grade again next year, achieved the accolade after captaining Stradbally Parish Gaels to championship glory.
It was a first success at the grade for the amalgamation of Stradbally, Annanough and Timahoe since 2005.
He starred at wing back and kicked a point as the Gaels defeated Graiguecullen in the final after extra time.
It caps a brilliant year for Darcy who also represented the Laois U-20s in the early part of the year.
He then played an influential role as Annanough, in their first year back at the Intermediate grade, made it to the semi finals.
The news of Darcy’s success came this morning while the U-20 hurler of the year had been named earlier in the month.
That accolade went to Cody Comerford of the all conquering The Harps team.
In the middle of November, they defeated Camross to claim their third U-20 championship in a row.
It was a historic achievement as it was the first time in their history that they managed it.
Before this, the only club to have such a distinction was Camross who achieved the feat in 1965-1967 in the first three years of the competition.
Like Darcy, Comerford also featured for the Laois U-20s in the early part of the season.
He was also involved with the Laois seniors are featured frequently during the year.
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