Gaelic football All Stars

[thoward]

Just three counties are represented in the 2005 Vodafone All-Star football team, revealed at the awards ceremony at CityWest Hotel, Dublin on Friday night - the lowest number of counties since the inception of the All-Star awards in 1971.

All-Ireland champions Tyrone dominate the selection with eight awards. Only Armagh and Kerry managed to get representation on the line-out, with the All-Ireland finalists winning four awards and the Ulster champions getting three.

Peter Canavan is a surprise inclusion at centre forward following a year marred by injury and a red card that was rescinded soon afterwards. However, one of the highlights of the summer was his last-gasp winning point from a free in the All-Ireland semi-final victory over Armagh.

Tyrone dominate the attack, taking four of the six positions through Brian Dooher, Canavan, Eoin Mulligan and top scorer Stephen O'Neill at full forward. Ryan McMenamin is named in the full back line, while Conor Gormley and Philip Jordan take two of the three half back positions, with Sean Cavanagh retaining his place in midfield.

All four Kerry players were on the 2004 team. Diarmuid McCarthy retains the goalkeeping position, as does Mike McCarthy who moves this year from corner back to at full back. They are joined by Tomas O'Se (right wing back) and Colm Cooper (right corner forward) to complete the Kerry contingent.

Andy Mallon, Paul McGrane and Steven McDonnell account for Armagh, stepping into corner back, midfield and corner forward respectively. In all, just five players on this year's team were also on the team a year ago, with Tyrone's Sean Cavanagh joining the four Kerry players.

Dublin will be disappointed not to have received any All-Stars, with Stephen O'Shaughnessy in defence and Bryan Cullen in attack both winning praise for their parts in Dublin's resurgence in 2005.

Cork midfielder Nicholas Murphy will also be disappointed he didn't get he nod, while Ross Munnelly of Laois and Derry's Paddy Bradley might also have hoped to win places in the attack.

2005 VODAFONE GAA FOOTBALL ALL-STARS:

Goalkeeper - Diarmuid Murphy (Kerry)
Right Full Back - Ryan McMenamin (Tyrone)
Full Back - Mike McCarthy (Kerry)
Left Full Back - Andy Mallon (Armagh)
Right Half Back - Tomas O'Se (Kerry)
Centre Half Back - Conor Gormley (Tyrone)
Left Half Back - Philip Jordan (Tyrone)
Midfield - Sean Cavanagh (Tyrone)
Midfield - Paul McGrane (Armagh)
Right Half Forward - Brian Dooher (Tyrone)
Centre Half Forward - Peter Canavan (Tyrone)
Left Half Forward - Eoin Mulligan (Tyrone)
Right Full Forward - Colm Cooper (Kerry)
Full Forward - Stephen O'Neill (Tyrone)
Left Full Forward - Steven McDonnell (Armagh)


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[Keane16]

Probably fair enough though really....defence wise, I can't stand 'Ricey', he represents all that is bad about Tyrone....maybe Aaron Kernan could have got a look in there somewhere as well, maybe Marc O'Se too....but you can't pick everyone I suppose. O'Shaughnessy didn't do enough imo... In the midfield Sean Kavanagh is head and shoulders above everyone, they put McGrane along side him...whatever, you have to pick someone. Having said that, I'm glad they ignored Ciaran Whelan. If Dublin played Brian Cullen in midfield next year, then he could get in the 2006 team. In the forwards, you couldn't really argue with O'Neill, Cooper, O'Donnell or Mulligan...possibly Dooher deserves it too, but they got a bit carried away with Canavan, great player and all that, but was he one of the best 6 forwards on 2005?, I don't think so.

No one from Laois, Westmeath, Dublin, Cork, Galway, no Munnelly, Dolan, Coulter, Browne, Joyce, Garvan or any of the second tier counties....they've work to do.

 

[Stuff the Goat]

Incredible only 3 counties, no Leinster/Munster reps. Just glimpsed at an article by Martin Breheny, who is on the all-star selection committee, he points out there are only 3 Ulster journalists ( the least of all the provinces) on the committee. So, it is amazing that Ulster have 11/15 all-stars...... Probably deserve them !
What strikes me, is the new back-door system definetely detracts from the provincial titles. Years ago if any of the provincial champs got any less than 2 awards, the affected province would be up in arms !.. So, tough luck Galway & Dublin !
Still, I think the back-door system is working well, & should remain.

 

[klebersomeone]

...maybe Aaron Kernan could have got a look in there somewhere as well, maybe Marc O'Se too....I agree - both very unlucky to be left out...but they got a bit carried away with Canavan, great player and all that, but was he one of the best 6 forwards on 2005?, I don't think so.
The fact that McGuigan was left out to accomodate Peter is a bit of a disgrace really - While Canavan (along with Maurice Fitz) is the best player of the last 10/15 years McGuigan currently has the best football brain in the country and he really makes Tyrone tick...

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