Football

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

Mattie Donnelly gets the nod at midfield 
Mattie Donnelly gets the nod at midfield  Mattie Donnelly gets the nod at midfield 

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Paddy Heaney has named four players apiece from Ulster finalists Monaghan and Donegal in his Ulster All-Star selection but has also given the nod to a quartet from All-Ireland semi-finalists Tyrone...

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

GOALKEEPER


Paul Durcan (Donegal) 


Donegal’s defence wasn’t just as watertight this year so Durcan got a chance to demonstrate his shot-stopping skills. He made a series of excellent reflex saves denying both Peter Harte and Ciaran O’Hanlon. He also showed keen awareness when he came off his line stopping both Dermot Malone and Jason Doherty from scoring goals. His kick-outs are excellent. Still the best goalkeeper in Ulster.

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

FULL-BACKS


Vinny Corey (Monaghan)


Few would quibble with the inclusion of Sean Quigley and Michael Murphy. Indeed, for most the aforementioned duo would be regarded as shoo-ins. Yet, both Quigley and Murphy were kept under a very tight rein by Corey. Quigley managed a point. Murphy was held scoreless. Corey had such a fine game on Murphy that Rory Gallagher later confirmed that his captain didn’t carry an injury into the Ulster final.

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

Paddy McGrath (Donegal)


Yes, he lost Darren McCurry for Tyrone’s goal in Ballybofey. That apart, McGrath was the most consistent performer in Donegal’s much feted full-back line. The robust corner-back never gave Jamie Clarke a sniff in the Athletic Grounds. Solid on Mark Lynch in the Ulster semi-final, he never put a foot wrong in the provincial decider. McGrath capped off his great season when he produced a fantastic display against Cillian O’Connor.

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

Dermot McBride (Derry)


Study the performances of all the best man-markers in Ulster and nearly all of them had at least one awful day at the office. Dermot McBride is the notable exception. Donal O’Hare was his first victim. Down’s top scorer blanked in Celtic Park. After Patrick McBrearty single-handedly terrorised the Armagh defence, the Donegal marksman was well contained by McBride who also nullified Ben Brosnan (Wexford) and the highly-rated Michael Comer (Galway).

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

HALF-BACKS


Declan McCusker (Fermanagh)


It’s impossible to ignore the performances of a half-back who kicks such spectacular long range points. McCusker served notice of his talent when he landed two magnificent strikes against Monaghan in the Ulster semi-final. A quality performance against Antrim in which his passing and link play were superb, he served up another display of long range shooting when he kicked two superb points against Westmeath.

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

Karl O’Connell (Monaghan)


The fastest half-back in the province. Cavan, Fermanagh and Donegal can all able to testify that O’Connell has electrifying speed. He scored in every round of the Ulster Championship. While impressive in the first two games, the Tyholland man underlined his credentials when he produced the goods against Donegal in the Ulster final. Composed in possession, his searing pace provides another dimension to Monaghan’s counter-attacks.

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

Dessie Mone (Monaghan)


One of the most complete and accomplished footballers in the country. Has courage, skill, and intelligence. When pushed out of the sweeper role, he provided the impetus for Monaghan’s comeback against Cavan. He produced a couple of brilliant plays against Fermanagh. His crossfield pass to Kieran Hughes demonstrated his vision and accuracy. Exquisite strikes yielded points against Fermanagh, Cavan, Donegal and Tyrone.

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

MIDFIELD 


Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone)


As short kick-outs have diluted the importance of high catching, Donnelly embodies all the qualities of the modern midfielder. First and foremost, the Trillick clubman is a running machine. His strength, stamina and speed lie at heart of Tyrone’s possession game. Donnelly’s clever movement and accuracy means he presents a huge scoring threat. He kicked 0-9 from play against Tipperary (0-3), Sligo (0-3) and Monaghan (0-3). It’s hard to argue with those stats.

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

Neil Gallagher (Donegal)


The best midfielder in the province. Gallagher was man-of-the-match in the preliminary round against Tyrone. His clever flick to Colm McFadden set up Donegal’s goal. In the first half alone, he had a direct involvement in 1-3.


Armagh learned to their cost that Gallagher can also kick a great pass. It was his long ball to which led to McBrearty’s goal. Gallagher maintained his rich vein of form against Derry. Yet again, he set up the goal which won the game.

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

HALF-FORWARDS


Peter Harte (Tyrone)


From the preliminary round game in Ballybofey to Tyrone’s appearance in Croke Park 12 weeks later, Harte has been his county’s most consistent player. He is Tyrone’s mover and shaker. He makes things happen. A trademark run by Harte set up Darren McCurry’s goal against Donegal. As Tyrone wrestled with Limerick, Harte was positive and vibrant. His nerveless penalty strike played a huge role in the victory over Meath. He was the team’s best player against Tipperary.

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

Seán Quigley (Fermanagh)


Quigley’s best performance in this year’s Championship was delivered from centre half-forward. The Roslea clubman was at centre half-forward when he chalked up 0-14 against Antrim in the qualifiers. In that display he posted 0-7 from play, scoring with his left foot, right foot and the fist. Fermanagh’s run was aided by Quigley’s composure under pressure. A converted penalty and 45 played a key role in his team’s incredible comeback against Roscommon. Quigley also kicked the winner in that game.

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

Sean Cavanagh (Tyrone)


Under the new dispensation in Tyrone, every player has to put their shoulder to the wheel. Cavanagh, the team captain, has led by example. In the All-Ireland quarter-final against Monaghan, his work-rate was astonishing. He fought for every inch of ground. Despite his tackling and harrying, Cavanagh has continued to kick points. When pushed to full-forward against Monaghan, he provided a timely reminder that he’s as potent as ever.

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

FULL-FORWARDS


Darren McCurry (Tyrone)


Tomás Corrigan was an obvious contender but McCurry’s performances against Division One opposition sealed his inclusion.


McCurry’s goal against Donegal was the definition of precision finishing. He also stood up to the plate when Tyrone met Monaghan in the All-Ireland quarter-final. His fine display against the Ulster champions followed his man-of-the-match performance against Sligo the previous week.

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

Conor McManus (Monaghan)


This probably isn’t the only Allstar that McManus will be receiving this year. If the Monaghan fails to be recognised by the national awards, there will riots in the streets of Clontibret, and rightly so.


In last year’s All-Ireland final, James O’Donoghue, the footballer of the year, failed to register a shot on target while he was being marked by Neil McGee. In this year’s Ulster final, McManus took McGee for 0-3 from play.

Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks
Irish News Ulster All-Star 2015: Paddy Heaney's picks

Michael Murphy (Donegal)


Tyrone reckoned Murphy warranted specialist marking. Armagh adopted a different approach. Bad idea. Murphy tore Armagh to pieces. In a gala performance he destroyed the Orchard men in the Athletic Grounds.


In the Ulster semi-final, a couple of stunning long range points from Murphy helped Donegal edge past Derry. Subdued in the Ulster final, he came roaring back, producing magical moments against Galway and Mayo.

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