Football

Donegal lead the way with six in Neil Loughran's Allstar selection

Michael Murphy was consistently brilliant throughout the summer, and remains the talisman for Declan Bonner's Donegal team. Picture by Philip Walsh
Michael Murphy was consistently brilliant throughout the summer, and remains the talisman for Declan Bonner's Donegal team. Picture by Philip Walsh Michael Murphy was consistently brilliant throughout the summer, and remains the talisman for Declan Bonner's Donegal team. Picture by Philip Walsh

1 Shaun Patton (Donegal)

TOUGH call between Patton and Niall Morgan, but the Donegal man just gets the edge. Barely put a foot wrong all summer, and the accuracy and variety of his kick-outs was the platform upon which Donegal’s second Ulster Championship success in-a-row was built. Also showcased his shot-stopping ability with two good saves against Tyrone, and just denied David Clifford a goal in the drawn thriller with Kerry.

Club: St Eunan’s, Letterkenny

2 Darren O’Hagan (Down)

DOWN’S Mr Reliable lived up to his billing, proving again that he merits mention in any conversation about the best defenders in the country. Playing a roving wing-back role, O’Hagan barely gave Rory Grugan a kick in Newry, effectively contained Tipperary’s Michael Quinlivan - despite giving away a significant height advantage - and forced Mayo’s Jason Doherty onto the back foot.

Club: Clonduff

3 Ronan McNamee (Tyrone)

BUILT on a solid National League campaign and, a tough evening at the hands of Paddy McBrearty aside, can look back on his best summer in county colours as the Red Hands reached the last four. Kept Kildare’s Ben McCormack, Cavan’s Dara McVeety, Roscommon powerhouse Conor Cox and Cork’s Brian Hurley under lock and key, and did well on David Clifford before Tyrone’s second half collapse on Sunday.

Club: St Davog’s, Aghayaran

4 Stephen McMenamin (Donegal)

YOU can tell McMenamin really relishes the art of man-marking, bringing a Ricey-esque zeal to the task. Stayed touch-tight on Mattie Donnelly as Tyrone were brushed aside and didn’t allow Cavan’s Marty Reilly to get into the Ulster final at all. Solid against Meath, managed to limit the influence of David Clifford and, despite a couple of slips on the wet surface, relished the battle with Cillian O’Connor in Castlebar.

Club: Red Hugh’s, Killygordon

5 Ryan McHugh (Donegal)

PLAYED within himself in a more withdrawn role as Donegal got over the line against Fermanagh, but went on an upward trajectory from there. Brilliant in victory over Tyrone, while Kerry simply had no answer to his electric bursts from deep in the Super 8s – arguably his best performance in county colours since Dublin 2014. Paddy Durcan didn’t allow him into the game in Castlebar, and this contributed largely to Donegal’s downfall.

Club: Kilcar

6 Hugh McFadden (Donegal)

JUST gets the nod ahead of club-mate Eoghan Ban Gallagher, whose season was curtailed by injury. McFadden was nominally named at midfield but would often drop back around the 40, offering Donegal’s shaky full-back line some much-needed protection. Was missed after injury forced him off against Kerry.

Club: Killybegs

7 Aidan Forker (Armagh)

REIMAGINED as a man-marker, Aidan Forker took to the role like a duck to water. After Marty Reilly’s stunning performance against Monaghan, Forker was asked to shadow the Cavan playmaker. He did so to impressive effect, both in the drawn game and the replay. Went to full-back for the qualifier against Monaghan and kept Conor McManus to one point from play before doing well on Darren Coen when tasked in Castlebar.

Club: Sean McDermott’s, Maghery

8 Jarlath Og Burns (Armagh)

THE kind of player Armagh have been crying out for. His pace, power, high-fielding ability and directness were a stand-out of the summer, announcing his arrival on the Championship stage with a strong showing against Down. Cavan had no answer to Burns in their drawn Ulster semi-final, his goal a thing of beauty, and after struggling to get into the replay he was simply magnificent as Armagh brought an end to Monaghan’s year.

Club: Silverbridge Harps

9 Gearoid McKiernan (Cavan)

WHEN he’s good, he’s really good – and McKiernan produced some superb performances in Breffni blue. Carried the fight in the air and the ground as Monaghan were dumped out of Ulster. McKiernan was below-par in the drawn semi-final with Armagh but bounced back in some style, causing Charlie Vernon all manner of bother after being moved into full-forward, and was one of the few Cavan players to emerge from their Ulster final disappointment with any credit.

Club: St Mary’s, Swanlinbar

10 Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone)

HAS the ability to cause mayhem when moved further up the field, with Donnelly’s strong running proving a handful any time Mickey Harte chose to deploy him alongside Cathal McShane. Just ask Cork who thought they had the Red Hands rumbled in the first half, while Kerry initially struggled to get to grips with him on Sunday. Even in his more familiar role further back, Donnelly remains a key cog in the Tyrone wheel and was brilliant in wins over Cavan and Roscommon.

Club: St Macartan’s, Trillick

11 Michael Murphy (Donegal)

THE complete footballer; there is nothing he cannot do. Operated mostly around the middle third and was consistently brilliant throughout the summer. Such a powerhouse when he gets the ball in his hands, but also possesses the finesse to outfox even the most wily of opponents. His kick-passing was a joy to behold at times, particularly in the drawn game against Kerry, and his ability to lead by example remains as important to Donegal as it ever was.

Club: Glenswilly

12 Peter Harte (Tyrone)

ANONYMOUS as Tyrone exited the Championship on Sunday, but was otherwise excellent, really driving the Red Hands on from deep in victories over Kildare, Roscommon and Cork. Continues to face criticism in some quarters for struggling to dominate in big games the way his talent suggests he should, but had another solid campaign in county colours.

Club: Errigal Ciaran

13 Paddy McBrearty (Donegal)

TOSS of a coin with team-mate Jamie Brennan. The Bundoran man was sensational in Ulster, winning Star Man awards in all three of Donegal’s games. However, he was nowhere near as influential in the Super 8s. McBrearty, meanwhile, was also excellent against Fermanagh, Tyrone and Cavan, before delivering his best performance of the summer as Meath were brushed aside, scoring 1-6 Edged his battle with Kerry’s Tadhg Morley too before a hamstring injury limited his influence as Donegal bowed out to Mayo.

Club: Kilcar

14 Cathal McShane (Tyrone)

AS a midfielder or attacking half-forward, you always felt there was more in McShane over recent years. Stationed on the edge of the square, he has found his home. An absolute revelation since his move further up the field, he gives Tyrone something they haven’t had in a long time - a menace of a target man capable of winning his own ball, scoring off either foot and bringing a genuine goal threat. Finished the campaign with 3-50 to his name, and carried the fight to Kerry on Sunday. A superb campaign.

Club: Owen Roe’s, Leckpatrick

15 Rian O’Neill (Armagh)

LIKE Jarlath Og Burns, can reflect on an impressive debut season at this level. Parked on the edge of the square, made life hard for rivals Down, finishing with 0-8. Carried the fight to Cavan in the second half of the replayed semi-final when Armagh were on the ropes and bagged two goals as the Orchard despatched Monaghan in the qualifiers. Started like a house on fire against Mayo before drifting out of the game, but has the potential to be a huge player in years to come.

Club: Crossmaglen Rangers

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