Eoin McElholm named 2025 Dalata Hotel Group U20 Footballer of the Year

Tyrone forward Eoin McElholm named Dalata Hotel Group GAA U20 Footballer of the Year.

Tyrone forward Eoin McElholm named Dalata Hotel Group GAA U20 Footballer of the Year.

The Dalata Hotel Group, in proud partnership with the GAA and the Gaelic Writers’ Association, is delighted to announce Eoin McElholm of Tyrone as the 2025 Dalata Hotel Group GAA U20 Footballer of the Year. This award recognises McElholm’s outstanding performances and transformative impact throughout the championship.

Selected by a panel of expert GAA journalists from the Gaelic Writers’ Association, the award celebrates not only McElholm’s scoring brilliance, but also his leadership, work ethic, and ability to rise in pivotal moments of Tyrone’s historic, back-to-back All-Ireland victories.

At the heart of Tyrone’s U20 success, McElholm stood out as a difference maker — delivering in clutch moments, inspiring teammates, and consistently influencing games when it mattered most.

Across the championship, he tallied a remarkable 6-24, finishing as top scorer in the competition. His performance peaked in the All-Ireland Final against Louth at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh, where he scored 2-4 in a commanding 5-16 to 0-17 victory — a game that helped seal Tyrone’s place in the history books.

In the semi-final against Kerry, McElholm struck another vital goal, powering Tyrone to a 2-14 to 0-14 win. Whether it was breaking defensive lines, linking play, or tracking back, his all-round contribution exemplified what it means to make “the difference that makes the difference.”

Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “I want to thank all of those responsible for what was yet another thrilling GAA U20 Football Championship. Gaelic football is enjoying a boom this year, helped in no small part by the new rules from the FRC – but this competition has long stood out as being a place where the game has had a purity and a pulse and where the senior stars of tomorrow are on view. Such is the case with our player of the year Eoin who was a totemic figure in a brilliant Tyrone team. In congratulating him on his award I want to thank Dalata Hotel Group, fantastic supporters of Gaelic games who are our inaugural sponsors of this iconic competition and the rich history it carries back to 1964.”

Dermot Crowley, CEO of Dalata Hotel Group, commented: “Eoin McElholm is the embodiment of what it means to be a ‘Difference Maker’. His passion, commitment, and impact on the field speak for themselves — but it’s the tireless dedication, leadership, and hard work he brings to every moment that truly sets him apart. We are proud to honour him as the 2025 Dalata Hotel Group GAA U20 Footballer of the Year. He represents the very best of the GAA, and the spirit that our ‘For Difference Makers’ campaign celebrates.”

Eoin McElholm said: “It’s an incredible honour to be recognised with this award. I’m proud to represent my club, my county, and my teammates who’ve all contributed to this incredible journey. This was a team effort from start to finish, and I’m very grateful to the Gaelic Writers’ Association and Dalata Hotel Group for this recognition.”

Dalata Hotel Group GAA U20 Football Team of the Year

The following players have been named to the Dalata Hotel Group GAA U20 Football Team of the Year, as selected by the Gaelic Writers’ Association, in recognition of their excellence throughout the championship:

1.Conan McGarvey Tyrone

2.Pádraic Tinnelly Louth

3.Joey Clarke Tyrone

4.Caolan Donnelly Tyrone

5.Tadhg McDonnell Louth

6.Callum Daly Tyrone

7.Hugh O’Loughlin Mayo

8.Seán Callaghan Louth

9.James Maguire Louth

10.Kevin Muldoon Donegal

11.Eoin McElholm Tyrone

12.Seanán Carr Donegal

13.Ruairí McCullagh Tyrone

14.Tomás Kennedy Kerry

15.Darragh Beirne Mayo