Sport

Football Allstars 2015

AFTER storming to a League and Championship double this year, Dublin’s dominance is reflected in seven of their players winning Allstars. Kenny Archer profiles the 15 footballers who were at the top of their game in 2015....

Dave Sheeran, Managing Director, Opel Ireland, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail, Dermot Earley, GPA President, with the 2015 All-Star Football team, back row, left to right, Jack McCaffrey, Dublin, Lee Keegan, Mayo, Mattie Donnelly, Tyrone, Kevin Enright, Kerry, representing his brother Shane, Anthony Maher, Kerry, Brian Fenton, Dublin, Aidan O'Shea, Mayo, Brendan Kealy, Kerry, Conor McManus, Monaghan, Bernard Brogan, Dublin, front row, left to right, Ciarán Kilkenny, Dublin, Cian O'Sullivan, Dublin, Rory O'Carroll, Dublin, Philip McMahon, Dublin, Donnchadh Walsh, Kerry, at the GAA GPA All-Star Awards 2015 Sponsored by Opel. Convention Centre, Dublin. Picture by Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE 
Dave Sheeran, Managing Director, Opel Ireland, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail, Dermot Earley, GPA President, with the 2015 All-Star Football team, back row, left to right, Jack McCaffrey, Dublin, Lee Keegan Dave Sheeran, Managing Director, Opel Ireland, Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Aogán Ó Fearghail, Dermot Earley, GPA President, with the 2015 All-Star Football team, back row, left to right, Jack McCaffrey, Dublin, Lee Keegan, Mayo, Mattie Donnelly, Tyrone, Kevin Enright, Kerry, representing his brother Shane, Anthony Maher, Kerry, Brian Fenton, Dublin, Aidan O'Shea, Mayo, Brendan Kealy, Kerry, Conor McManus, Monaghan, Bernard Brogan, Dublin, front row, left to right, Ciarán Kilkenny, Dublin, Cian O'Sullivan, Dublin, Rory O'Carroll, Dublin, Philip McMahon, Dublin, Donnchadh Walsh, Kerry, at the GAA GPA All-Star Awards 2015 Sponsored by Opel. Convention Centre, Dublin. Picture by Paul Mohan / SPORTSFILE 

1. BRENDAN KEALY (KERRY)

Club: Kilcummin; Age: 29

Height: 6ft 1in; Weight: 13st

A major reason why the Kingdom went all the way to the All-Ireland Final again this year­ and he did his best to stop them losing the decider to Dublin. Kealy made big saves at big moments in big games, including a superb one from Cork’s Stephen Cronin in the Munster final replay, stopping the Rebels getting a quick second goal. His strong-handed save, in that tricky area close to the body, from Tyrone’s Mark Bradley in the All-Ireland semi-final was appreciated by the real experts. There were some questions over his kick-outs against Dublin but, again, he showed impressive levels of concentration and rapid reactions to keep out clear goal chances.

Allstars: First

2. SHANE ENRIGHT (KERRY)

Club: Tarbert; Age: 27

Height: 6ft; Weight: 13st

The first defender chosen is a defender first and foremost, a traditional back, one who stays back and stops the forward from scoring. Did well on Cork’s Brian Hurley in both the Munster final matches and did far better by restricting Bernard Brogan to just one point from play in the All-Ireland decider. Showed his versatility by operating as sweeper against Tyrone, but could have done with more help from colleagues that day and was fortunate to escape a black card for pulling down Peter Harte. However, that was a rare blemish on an impressive series of defensive displays from the Tarbert clubman.

Allstars: First


3. RORY O’CARROLL (DUBLIN)


Club: Kilmacud; Age: 25


Height: 6ft 1in; Weight: 13st 3lbs


Sometimes a player’s worth is better gauged in his absence: O’Carroll went off with a head injury early in the All-Ireland semi-final and Mayo repeatedly ran through the Dublin defence in the closing stage of that drawn game. Very assured in his distribution, rarely giving possession away, either by hand or by kick-pass. Also adept at bringing the ball out from the back. Does the dirty side of defending well too, making tackles, blocks and interceptions, while rarely being dirty himself by conceding frees. A very calm, composed presence in defence, showing a fine understanding with his clubmate Cian O’Sullivan.


Allstars: Second (2013 and '15)

4. PHILIP McMAHON (DUBLIN)


Club: Ballymun Kickham’s; Age: 28


Height: 6ft; Weight: 13st 7lbs


A certainty, yet also a controversial choice. The Ballymun man put in a series of powerful performances, but also caught the eye -­ quite literally -­ for the wrong reasons. He was subsequently handed a one-match ban for an apparent gouging offence against Kieran Donaghy in the All-Ireland final, having mostly marked Colm Cooper out of that match and outscored him to boot. He exhibited that mixture of fine football and foul play in both semi-final matches against Mayo. Accused of a head-butt by Aidan O’Shea, McMahon also appeared to feign injury in a clash with the big attacker and there was another suggesting of play-acting in the re-match. Yet, when he concentrated on playing football, he was excellent, scoring 1-2 from play in the semi-final replay and also starring in the final.


Allstars: First


5. LEE KEEGAN (MAYO)


Club: Westport; Age: 26


Height: 6ft; Weight: 13st 1lb


One of the outstanding wing-backs of recent years had another great season, taking Mayo close to the final once more. At his best against Donegal in the quarter-final, when he did the double whammy of containing Odhrán Mac Niallais and also powering forward to score 1-2 from play. Unlike many other quick, counter-attacking defenders, he has the composure to take his scores at the end of his regular runs. Had a running battle with Dublin’s dangerous Diarmuid Connolly, concentrating more on his defensive duties, although he still pointed from play in both matches. Perhaps fortunate to escape a red card for his late tangle with Connolly, but well worthy of this accolade.


Allstars: Third (2012, '13 and '15)


6. CIAN O’SULLIVAN (DUBLIN)


Club: Kilmacud Croke’s; Age: 27


Height: 6ft 1in; Weight: 13st


A key player as Dublin looked after defence much more this year after Donegal destroyed them in last year’s All-Ireland semi-final. Won his first Allstar two years ago, also at centre half-back, but was much more of a sweeper this season. His importance to the team was indicated by the amount of concern and debate over what his potential absence from the All-Ireland final might mean. He recovered from the injury scare - and Kerry subsequently struggled for scores. The Kilmacud Croke’s player impressed at being in the right area to protect his defence, then also able to bring the ball out or distribute it effectively.


Allstars: Second (2013 and '15)

7. JACK McCAFFREY (DUBLIN)


Club: Clontarf; Age: 22


Height: 6ft; Weight: 12st 11lbs


The Clontarf flyer, who only recently turned 22, was certain to receive his first Allstar, as he was also on the Footballer of the Year shortlist after a series of sterling performances. McCaffrey is the classic modern-day half-back, able to break out of defence at top speed. His pace helps him out defensively, but often it’s opponents who have to worry about him as he regularly put opposition forwards facing their own goal and chasing his rapidly receding figure. Besides the scores he creates, he often chips in from play himself, as he did in the drawn semi-final and the final itself.


Allstars: First


8. BRIAN FENTON (DUBLIN)


Club: Raheny; Age: 22


Height: 6ft 4in; Weight: 14st


The find of the year, to the extent of keeping 2013 Footballer of the Year Michael Darragh Macauley out of the Dublin team. In truth, MDMA’s battle for a place was with Denis Bastick as Fenton was a first choice and ever-present throughout the Championship campaign. He seemed to get better as the season went on and scored a point in each of the All-Ireland series victories, over Fermanagh, Mayo and Kerry, the last of those the opening score of the final. Linked defence and attack with his powerful, intelligent running and also had the height to take plenty of high catches, even outdoing Kerry’s Anthony Maher in aerial combat.


Allstars: First


9. ANTHONY MAHER


Club: Duagh; Age: 29


Height: 6ft 5in; Weight: 15st 4lbs


The big man gives the lie to any argument that midfielders aren’t as important in the modern game. Even when Tyrone largely by-passed that area, he was still on the ball 22 times. He brought that tally to 30 against Dublin, when he was one of the few Kerry men who did himself justice. Won a fair amount of that possession himself, often in the air, and was hard to knock off the ball once he had it. Tyrone’s Colm Cavanagh came under consideration for his disciplined displays as a defensive midfielder/sweeper, but Maher’s all-round game won him the award.


Allstars: First

10. MATTIE DONNELLY (TYRONE)


Club: Trillick; Age:24


Height: 6ft; Weight: 13st 12lbs


The latest boost for the Trillick clubman, who helped his club to their first Tyrone SFC in 29 years and has been a consistent performer throughout this year. Like Donegal’s Michael Murphy, who was a contender for a half-forward berth, Donnelly is an all-rounder, who helps out in defence, around midfield and in attack. He was increasingly effective going forward as games, and the Championship, wore on, his superb conditioning and awareness getting him into space to make taking scores look easy. Excellent against Monaghan in the All-Ireland quarter-final, where his repeated, powerful running, tackling and general ball-winning abilities led to scores for himself and colleagues.


Allstars: First


11. CIARÁN KILKENNY (DUBLIN)


Club: Castleknock; Age: 22


Height: 6ft 1in; Weight: 13st 10lbs


A regular source of scores, although he had an off-day in the final. Before that, though, he was always exciting to watch, a positive probing presence, trying to open up gaps in the opposition defence. Performed well in all the other big games, scoring 0-8 from play in total over the quarter-final (in just one half before injury intervened) and the two matches against Mayo. Constantly seeks to create chances for colleagues, as well as finishing them off himself, with his rapid movement across the width of the three-quarter line. Able to score from either flank and rarely wasted opportunities when he got on the ball.


Allstars: First


12. DONNCHADH WALSH (KERRY)


Club: Cromane; Age: 31


Height: 6ft 1in; Weight: 13st 5lbs


One of those unsung heroes who has finally had his vital contributions heralded. Crucial in the All-Ireland semi-final success against Tyrone, winning possession to set up scores and also picking off a point himself. It wasn’t just break ball that he snapped up either, as he collected ball direct from opposition kick-outs too. Worked hard in the final, posing problems for Jack McCaffrey with his winning of breaking ball and frees. As ever, he never seemed to stop running and trying for his team. Walsh has been an important cog in the Kerry machine in recent years but, this season, he really shone and caught the eye.


Allstars: First


13. CONOR McMANUS (MONAGHAN)


Club: Clontibret; Age: 27


Height: 6ft; Weight: 13st


The Monaghan man is the only player picked who didn’t feature in the semi-finals, but his selection was never in doubt. Many bill him as the best forward in the country for his ability to win possession and take seemingly impossible scores. Certainly, he would earn a place on any team. Having been brilliant in the Ulster final triumph, he again showed his quality, even against the brilliantly-organised Tyrone defensive system in the All-Ireland quarter-final. Scored seven points, including his usual accuracy from some tricky frees, and kicked two quite astonishing scores from play.


Allstars: Second (2013 and '15)


14. AIDAN O’SHEA (MAYO)


Club: Breaffy; Age: 25


Height: 6ft 4in; Weight: 15st 6lb


His second Allstar, having won one at midfield two years ago. Wore number 11 this year and often operated around the three-quarter line, working hard to win possession. However, the big Breaffy clubman was most effective as a 'bear on the square’ target man, requiring several opponents to curtail him, often illegally, if they managed to do so at all. When they didn’t, he created havoc, notably against Sligo in the Connacht final, but he also did the business against better opposition. Defenders didn’t know whether to stick or twist against Mayo’s ace attacker as he could score himself or set up team-mates. Fired in the crucial first goal in the quarter-final against Donegal. Deserved better treatment from officials when up against Dublin’s McMahon in the semi-final games.


Allstars: Second (2013 and '15)


15. BERNARD BROGAN (DUBLIN)


Club: St Oliver Plunkett’s/Eoghan Ruadh; Age: 31


Height: 6ft; Weight: 13st 3lbs


By far the top scorer from play in the entire Championship, registering 6-20 with only one converted free­ in the All-Ireland final­ to augment his total. Scored a crucial goal with 15 minutes remaining in the All-Ireland semi-final replay against Mayo, turning that game back in Dublin’s favour, and produced a series of terrific scores from play. Even when he wasn’t scoring heavily he was always involved, running to the corners to stretch defences, trying to create space and chances for colleagues. What’s more, he works back too, tackling hard around midfield to regain possession. However, it’s the scores he makes and especially the beauties he takes that made Brogan an automatic choice once more.


Allstars: Fourth (2010, '11, '13 and '15)