THERE were few surprises in the Football Allstars selection, despite there being nine first-time winners – and none who were also on last year’s team.
It was a disappointing evening for Ulster, though, with only two northern winners: Tyrone’s versatile Mattie Donnelly picking up his first Allstar, while Monaghan captain Conor McManus convincingly won his second.
Many had made cases for Tyrone midfielder Colm Cavanagh and attacker Peter Harte, but neither made the cut, while Donegal captain Michael Murphy also missed out in the selection for a competitive half-forward line.
All-Ireland champions Dublin dominated of course, collecting seven accolades, including four newcomers, with beaten finalists Kerry winning four, all of them ‘newbies’ to this stage.
Mayo, who took the Dubs to a semi-final replay, garnered two awards, the same as Ulster in its entirety.
Dublin, for all their attacking talent, actually had the bulk of their awards in defence, with four players picked there: Philly McMahon, Rory O’Carroll, Cian O’Sullivan, and Jack McCaffrey.
Despite being a championship debutant this year, Brian Fenton was a shoo-in at midfield, as was Bernard Brogan in attack, where he was joined by Ciarán Kilkenny.
Kerry collected the first two awards during the live broadcast of the awards, in the form of goalkeeper Brendan Kealy and defender Shane Enright, and they were joined by fellow first-time winners Anthony Maher – at midfield – and half-forward Donnchadh Walsh.
Mayo, who pushed champions Dublin the hardest, taking them to a semi-final replay, had to be satisfied with awards for wing-back Lee Keegan and forward Aidan O’Shea.
Of the previous winners, most were collecting their second Allstar, apart from Keegan, who was picking up his third in four campaigns, and Brogan, who made it four from the past six seasons.
Dublin had further reason to celebrate as Jack McCaffrey was recognised as the Footballer of the Year.
The attacking half-back had a stunning season and has now completed the set after winning the Young Player of the Year award in 2013.
This season, that accolade went to Mayo’s Diarmuid O’Connor, who follows in the footsteps of his brother Cillian, who won it twice.
O’Connor was superb for the Conancht side en-route to this year’s semi-final, combining intricate skill with a real hard-working attitude.
As expected, TJ Reid saw off the competition to collect the Hurler of the Year award. Reid hit 4-32 for the Cats in this year’s Championship as he produced a string of excellent performances.
It seemed fitting that the Young Hurler of the Year award would go to Waterford given the progress of their youthful team this year, and Tadhg de Búrca was the player honoured with an award to go alongside the Allstar he picked up.
2015 GAA/GPA FOOTBALL ALLSTARS
1 Brendan Kealy (Kerry); 2 Shane Enright (Kerry), 3 Rory O’Carroll (Dublin), 4 Philly McMahon (Dublin); 5 Lee Keegan (Mayo), 6 Cian O’Sullivan (Dublin), 7 Jack McCaffrey (Dublin); 8 Brian Fenton (Dublin), 9 Anthony Maher (Kerry); 10 Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone), 11 Ciarán Kilkenny (Dublin), 12 Donnchadh Walsh (Kerry); 13 Conor McManus (Monaghan), 14 Aidan O’Shea (Mayo), 15 Bernard Brogan (Dublin).
FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR
Jack McCaffrey (Dublin)
YOUNG FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR
Diarmuid O'Connor (Mayo)
HURLER OF THE YEAR
TJ Reid (Kilkenny)
YOUNG HURLER OF THE YEAR
Tadhg de Búrca (Waterford)
