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Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

Brendan Crossan

Brendan Crossan

Brendan is a sports reporter at The Irish News. He has worked at the media outlet since January 1999 and specialises in GAA, soccer and boxing. He has been the Republic of Ireland soccer correspondent since 2001 and has covered the 2002 and 2006 World Cup finals and the 2012 European Championships

Colm Cavanagh and Neil Gallagher form Brendan Crossan's midfield partnership in his Ulster All-Stars select
Colm Cavanagh and Neil Gallagher form Brendan Crossan's midfield partnership in his Ulster All-Stars select Colm Cavanagh and Neil Gallagher form Brendan Crossan's midfield partnership in his Ulster All-Stars select (seamus loughran)

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Tyrone top the list in Brendan Crossan's Ulster All-Star select, with five of Mickey Harte's men making the grade.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

GOALKEEPER


Chris Kerr (Antrim) 


No busier or better ’keeper in Ulster, Kerr left an indelible impression on the Qualifiers. His penalty save against Laois provided the platform for a shock victory. Antrim were eight points down at that stage. He made two more smashing stops that ended up on The Sunday Game’s cutting room floor. In the second game with Fermanagh, he made an incredible save from Paul McCusker.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

FULL-BACKS


Vinny Corey (Monaghan)


The Clontibret man is a man for all seasons, capable of leading the counter-attack and equally at home taming the opposition’s star player. The 30-year-old was the only player who really tamed Michael Murphy this year in the Ulster final. He took the wind out of Sean Quigley’s sails in the semi-final, while injury curtailed him against Tyrone. 

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

Aidan McCrory (Tyrone)


McCrory is arguably Tyrone’s best man-marker but to single him out in such one-dimensional terms does him a disservice. He is very comfortable pushing out of defence and his attacking runs almost saw the Red Hands claw back Donegal in the Ulster preliminary round. One of those defenders that managers love: efficient and low maintenance.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

Ronan McNamee (Tyrone)


The Aghyaran full-back was a slow-burner this year. Entrusted with the number three jersey – once a problem position for the Red Hands – McNamee has flourished in the role. He had a tough day in Ballybofey but he’s had an immense summer. He also times his forward runs to great effect and scored a marvellous point against Monaghan.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

HALF-BACKS


Ryan McHugh (Donegal)


You often see what a player is made of when their team is losing in a Championship game. When Donegal were chasing the Ulster final against Monaghan, McHugh showed the size of his heart. He never stopped running at the Farney defence and was unlucky to finish on the losing side. 


He was excellent against Armagh and Derry - and his goal against Galway was my highlight of the summer. It would be folly to leave him out.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

Karl O’Connell (Monaghan)


Next to McManus, O’Connell was Monaghan’s most impressive performer. It looked as though his counter-attacking runs could make up for the shortcomings in Monaghan’s half-forward line. After the opener against Cavan, he was marked out as a key threat. Hurt Fermanagh down the flanks and kept his best display for the final against Donegal. 

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

Dessie Mone (Monaghan)


Due to injury, Mone may have had a disappointing game against Tyrone in the All-Ireland quarter-finals but he had a superb Ulster campaign. Caused Cavan problems and provided leadership against Fermanagh, scoring a brilliant point and setting up Kieran Hughes for a critical score. In the final he nullified Colm McFadden and hit an inspirational point.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

MIDFIELD 


Colm Cavanagh (Tyrone)


Ask any Tyrone supporter who has been their most consistent performer through the Qualifiers and the vast majority will point to Colm Cavanagh. Ask any of the Tyrone full-back line and they will point to Colm Cavanagh. 


The combative Moy man has been hugely effective in the deep-lying midfield role. His reading of the play has improved immeasurably and has been a diligent protector of the Tyrone full-back line. Does his job with the minimum of fuss and deserves one of the midfield berths.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

Neil Gallagher (Donegal)


THE big Donegal midfielder was at his languid, unhurried best this summer, and it would be a shame if he decided to retire from the inter-county scene as he still has plenty to give at the highest level.


He picked the right moments to go long and short. His kick-passing and general awareness are under-rated qualities, while his reading of the game against Derry that led to the killer goal were just some of his highlights. 

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

HALF-FORWARDS


Peter Harte (Tyrone)


The Errigal Ciaran clubman is the unmistakable creative hub of this Tyrone team and has also assumed a leadership role. 


Not only is Harte one of the finest sights when soloing the ball, he has the work-rate to match his ability. Showed his cool temperament in despatching the penalty that sunk Meath, grabbed a major against Limerick and registered scores from play against Tipperary, Sligo and Monaghan. Harte is a man on a mission after injury cut short his All-Ireland semi-final against Mayo two years ago.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

Michael Murphy (Donegal)


It was a joy to watch the Glenswilly clubman this summer. His long-range free-taking against Armagh was completely ridiculous. In a low-scoring semi-final against Derry, his ability to hit long-range scores was crucial in Donegal reaching the provincial decider. Injury, and Vinny Corey, curtailed him in the final. Deployed at full-forward against Galway, Murphy was sensational. His catch and score and his deft flick for Ryan McHugh’s goal were two moments of genius. And in defeat to Mayo, Murphy was Donegal’s best player.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

Ryan Jones (Fermanagh)


The Derrygonnelly man  gets the nod ahead of Donegal’s Odhran MacNaillais. Jones was consistently excellent for Fermanagh right through the entire season and was Pete McGrath’s most valuable player. Man-of-the-match against Antrim, Jones hit two beauties against Monaghan’s Fintan Kelly. He posted another man-of-the-match display against Westmeath, shoring up midfield, and held his own against the Dubs. There were many fine performers for the Ernemen this year. Jones was the best of them by considerable distance. 

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

FULL-FORWARDS


Darren McCurry (Tyrone)


Showed his finishing class in the first half against Donegal in Ballybofey but faded in the second. The Edendork attacker has got stronger and stronger through the Qualifiers and is showing his marquee worth to this counter-attacking Tyrone team. His best performances were in Tyrone’s last three games, scoring heavily against Tipperary, Sligo and Monaghan. Showed his mettle by hitting a couple of points off his weaker right foot against Monaghan. 

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

Conor McManus (Monaghan)


Conor McManus is the best forward in the country. FACT. Every time he shoots, he scores. FACT. If he doesn’t win another Irish News Allstar, I will boycott next year’s event. FACT. He was Monaghan’s game-winner against Cavan and Donegal and broke Fermanagh’s stout resistance. 


Once again, McManus was Monaghan’s best player at Croke Park, scoring two incredible points against Tyrone and firing over five frees. He always performs against blanket defences. A class footballer who deserves all the accolades that come his way.

Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2015: Brendan Crossan's picks

Seán Quigley (Fermanagh)


Every Championship needs a bit of colour – and the big Roslea man never let his public down. There were days things didn’t bounce for him, but when they did Quigley was exceptional. He gave an exhibition of point-scoring against Antrim in the Qualifiers, hitting a humongous nine points from play. Up until the Dublin game, Tomas Corrigan was in my team. But Fermanagh’s number 14 gets the nod after his devil-may-care attitude facing Hill 16 and the Dubs. You gotta love the big man.

Vote now for your Irish News Ulster All-Stars of the 2015 Championship at www.irishnews.com/allstars2015