1. Cathal Murdock (ST MARY’S, BURREN)
Cathal Murdock has been in excellent form this season. Not only a fine shot-stopper, the Burren number one acted as a sweeper with his quickly taken visionary kick-outs. Murdock pulled off quite a number of saves especially in the early round win over Kilcoo and was not at fault in any of the goals Burren conceded. Kilcoo’s young Niall Kane, who ousted his brother Stephen for the ’keeper’s jersey, has also been excellent, while Bryansford’s Marc Reid and Rostrevor’s Jonathan Parr deserve honourable mentions.
2. Darren O’Hagan (CLONDUFF SHAMROCKS)
A well-seasoned campaigner but he rediscovered his form in the Down championship. He was back to his intelligent tackling and tenacious best as he tormented the best forwards in the county, with an exceptional game against Danny Savage in the semi-final.
A serious knock to the head curtailed O’Hagan’s season last year, but he was back in the Down panel under Eamonn Burns and has improved as the season progressed and played a major role in helping Clonduff make the final.
3. Gerard McGovern (ST MARY’S, BURREN)
The man simply never disappoints. And out-and-out solid full-back, Gerard McGovern is the best full-back in the county and considering the decorated players he kept relatively in Division One of the Allianz National League earlier in year, he is arguably among the best in the country.
Comfortable under the high ball or curtailing nippy full-forwards, McGovern showed enough in the Down championship that he is the best in his position. Kilcoo full-back Aidan Branagan has also impressed this season.
4. Niall Branagan (EOGHAN RUA, KILCOO)
The versatile Niall Branagan is comfortable anywhere in defence and has played at half-back as well as corner back for Kilcoo.
The Magpies defence has been the cornerstone of their five Down titles in-a-row and Niall is the type of player who is content by keeping his man quiet with a no-nonsense approach but, like his brothers, he possesses the agility to transform defending into attack with an impressive burst of pace. Clonduff’s Ruairi Lively also deserves an honourable mention.
5. Niall Branagan (EOGHAN RUA, KILCOO)
Aaron Branagan is a player who has flourished under manager Paul McIver. Again the half-back line has been vital for Kilcoo and each one of the Branagans play a vital role, where moving the ball at pace is vital. A clean tackler, fast on his feet and a quick thinker even when surrounded by opponents, Aaron has proved this season he is a special talent.
6.Darryl Branagan (EOGHAN RUA, KILCOO)
Cool as they come, Darryl Branagan is a central figure in this five in-a-row championship-winning side. While he marshals a strong line in defence, this season, like last, he is the player makes Kilcoo tick. He got the ball rolling with a goal against Saval in Kilcoo’s opening game of the campaign. Darryl likes to kick-start play and his fast pace allows him to roam forward at will. Mayobridge’s Michael Lively and Bryanford’s Philip Bonny also made and impression this season.
7. Eugene Branagan (EOGHAN RUA, KILCOO)
Yes, that’s right, an entire half-back line of Branagans and if there is a better half-back line in Down, then they are not playing in the senior championship. Eugene Branagan is an intelligent footballer who makes timely interceptions and can solve problems before they start. This whole season he has burst forward at will while not neglecting his defensive duties. A courageous and athletic player, Eugene offers Kilcoo a lot going forward.
8. Aidan Carr (CLONDUFF SHAMROCKS)
Aidan Carr has been the best midfielder in the Down Club Championship this season by some distance. Undoubtedly his best season in recent years for Clonduff and it was his instinct to keep driving forward that gave quite a young team the belief to challenge for honours. Carr lorded the midfield in wins over Glenn, Mayobridge and Bryansford en route to the county final. A great communicator and passionate club-man, Carr was the engine in this talented Clonduff side.
9. Conor Toner (ST MARY’S, BURREN)
Conor Toner is a tall athletic midfielder and he and young Mark McKay formed a formidable midfield partnership but it is Toner who gets the nod this season as he has been one of the best in the championship. A player with a cool head and sharp feet, the best is yet to come from Toner. Against teams such as Mayobridge and Kilcoo, he proved he can take control in heat of the battle. Kilcoo’s Aaron Morgan has also enjoyed a good campaign in the middle this year.
10. Tony Havern (CLONDUFF SHAMROCKS)
While Ballyholland Harps failed to repeat last year’s run to the semi-finals, they did notch up a number of impressive performances and while Ronan Murtagh and Tiarnan Rushe have been magnificent it is the hard working Tony Havern that deserves a place on the Irish News Down Allstar team. Havern is a busy footballer who can win his own possession but importantly knows what to do with the ball when he has it. This year, almost every pass he made put his team into an advanced position to score. A member of the Down U21 team that lost the All-Ireland final in 2009, Havern is a talented player and would be an addition to any team
11. David Gilmore (ST MALACHY'S CASTLEWELLAN)
Probably the toughest position to choose largely due to the fact that few players regularly stayed in that position in the Championship. Paul Devlin has been great for Kilcoo when lining out at number 11 but Castlewellan’s David Gilmore has caught the eye this year.
A player who pulls the strings with clever passes, Gilmore is also accurate in front of posts and struck several beautiful long-range efforts against Longstone and Clonduff. Bryansford’s Conor Maginn and Clonduff’s Stephen McConville have also shone this season.
12. Danny Savage (BRYANSFORD)
Regardless of what position Danny Savage started this season, he was given the freedom to roam and make things happen. An exciting footballer who loves to take defenders on, he was doubled marked for much of the Championship but he still managed to rack up impressive scores each round.
What Savage lacks in stature he makes up for by bringing team-mates into play with his range of passing and no doubt be worthy of another look on the county panel.
13. Conor Laverty (EOGHAN RUA, KILCOO)
Conor Laverty, just edges his team-mate Ceilum Doherty out of this position as Laverty has been a different class this championship.
Not always so obvious as so much is expected of Laverty (right), but this season, Laverty’s simple plays such as taking the quick free, which set up Doherty’s goal against Burren in the semi-final, is what sets him apart.
He continues to display an almost gravity-defying ability to win possession and beat defenders but it is his contribution to team play that has impressed this season.
14. Cathal Magee (ST PATRICK’S, MAYOBRIDGE)
Cathal Magee is a big player who is content playing along the edge of the square or further out the pitch and this year he has stood out for the Sky Blues.
Mayobridge may not have set the world on fire this season but Cathal Magee has been one of the star performers of the championship. Tall and physically strong, Magee wasn’t easily dispossessed in the championship and he was steady in front of the posts. Certainly Magee can add to Eamonn Burns Down squad next season, especially as ‘the mark’ is being introduced.
15. Rian Brannigan (CLONDUFF SHAMROCKS)
Young Rian Brannigan was relatively unknown before the Championship but three goals in two games, soon changed that.
Brannigan’s introduction was a breath of fresh air as he was a player with one thing on his mind and that was scoring goals.
Clonduff looked to be crashing out of the Championship against Castlewellan before manager Ross Carr introduced the teenager who rattled home two goals and changed the course of Clonduff’s season.
Mayobridge’s Corey Quinn also showed flashes of his potential but Brannigan has earned his place in the 2016 Irish News Down Allstar team.
