Over the course of the next fortnight, our GAA correspondents will profile their Top 15 players from their respective Senior County Championships, starting today with Anthony Gunning's Antrim selections....
1: Oisin Kerr (Creggan)
In the modern era, kick-outs are perhaps one of a goalkeeper's primary roles and he was always able to pick out a player or put the ball into a favourable position for his team. There was nothing he could do about the goal in the final but did make a stunning save in the opening half to highlight his shot-stopping ability. Calm under a high-ball and the vision to move off his line to carry the ball out when required, Kerr was in excellent form this year and stood-out between the posts in this campaign.
2: Kevin O'Boyle (Cargin)
The 2020 saw 'KOBO' back to his best as his performances have gone onto see him make a return to the county set-up and based on his performances throughout the campaign, that is fully merited. He was at his tigerish best in defence, starving those in direct contact to scraps and then when getting the opportunity, was only too happy to put his foot on the accelerator to burst forward and pick off scores, as evidenced in the final when he kicked a late brace in extra-time to seal victory.
3: Ricky Johnston (Creggan)
Given the unenviable task of marking Tómas McCann in the final, Johnston took a few minutes to get to grips with Cargin's flying forward but settled and would dominate their personal duel for the rest of the game, resulting in McCann having to be moved out to get on the ball. Johnston's reading of the game was exemplary and looked back to his very best this year, putting in some fine shifts all the way through the season to make him an obvious pick for this 15.
4: Justin Crozier (Cargin)
While he was wearing the number three jersey for Cargin this year, Crozier was another whose man-marking skills shone through as he invariably picked up the opposition's danger man and limited their influence. Just as comfortable under the high ball or the tackle, Crozier was always calmness personified as he defended stoutly and when in possession, rarely wasted a pass as his experience of doing the simple things well was invaluable for Cargin.
5: Jamie McCann (Creggan)
The ability to defend and attack is a must for a wing-back and Jamie McCann was in to form in these roles this year. Three points - two from play - in the final was one of the eye-catching performances of that game but McCann was producing the good throughout the season. He was in fine form this campaign, remaining disciplined without the ball and clever with it, always an outlet to take a pass and either play it simple or taking the opportunity to burst forward when the opportunity arose.
6: James Laverty (Cargin)
There were several contenders for this spot including club mate Brendan Gribbin and Portglenone's Niall Delargy, but it was impossible to overlook Laverty who was a rock at the heart of the Cargin defence. There is little secret to what he brings to the table and has done for a number of years as his strength in the tackle, knack for a turnover and coolness in possession have been hallmarks of his career. He was once again excellent in this role and proved a key figure in the Erin'sOwn team.
7: Declan Lynch (Lámh Dhearg)
The Antrim captain is Mr Consistency for club and county son it was no surprise to see him remain a major influence for the Hannahstown men this season. Driving on from the wing, Lynch was always there to make a clever run and give the player in possession an option. He also was there to pop up with the odd score in games to highlight another side to his game, but his leadership, organisational skills and tenacity were still the main features to his season.
8: Michael McCann (Cargin)
Described as a 'Rolls Royce' of a player, McCann's engine purred as smoothly as ever throughout this season as he again delivered consistently top-drawer performances. Aside from the red card in the semi-final that was later rescinded, McCann enjoyed yet another magnificent campaign. When his team needed him most, he delivered with his eye for a score as good as ever, but perhaps the stand-out moments came in the final and epitomised what he brings to this Cargin team when fielding two kick-outs under pressure just when it seemed Creggan were on top to completely flip the momentum his team's way.
9: Kevin Rice (Creggan)
Just like his midfield partner on this team, Rice was one of the stand-outs on county final day with his influence around the middle simply breathtaking. When Creggan needed san out ball, he was consistently available despite being put under pressure but was also adept at powering forward to open up defences or picking some clever passes to set his forwards clear. Rice was a central figure throughout Kickham's run to the final and was one of the first names down for this team of the championship.
10: Ruairi McCann (Creggan)
One of Creggan and Antrim's rising stars, McCann really came of age in this championship and put in consistently top-drawer performances for his team. It was a testament to his character that he was off-target with his first couple of opportunities in the final, but steadied to kick eight points and half of those came from play, some of which would be contenders for the score of the season. McCann blossomed in this campaign and cemented his status as one of Antrim football's top marksmen.
11: Pat Shivers (Cargin)
Despite being still in his teens, Shivers looks right at home as a senior and whilst he did see action last year when still a minor, this term saw him fully integrated and that call was entirely justified. His towering presence ensured he was always an outlet for a high ball, but there is so much more to his game and off his left boot, he was equally potent from frees or play. The bad news for Cargin's is that he is only going to get better.
12: Jamie Gribbin (Cargin)
He may not be the most prolific of Cargin's forwards on the scoreboard but Gribbin is always good for a point or two, yet his biggest attribute is as a playmaker. Comfortable on the ball, another of Cargin's rising stars possess an excellent footballing brain to pick the right pass at the right time and this facet of his game was perhaps the winning of the championship with his clever pass for Ciaran Close's goal exemplifying these attributes. So much goes through the wing-forward who is also happy to help in defence, with his influence vital to Cargin as a unit.
13: Conor Murray (Lámh Dhearg)
His duel with Kevin O'Boyle in the semi-final was worth the admission alone and Murray was yet again a central figure for the Red Hands this year. Throughout the group stages and quarter-final, when Lámh Dhearg needed someone to stand up and gather possession, kick a key score or work the ball into a favourable position, Murray was always seemed to be there to do just that. He has moved between the wing and full-forward in games, exemplifying his versatility as a ball-carrier, ball-winner or scorer.
14: Tomás McCann (Cargin)
Throughout the campaign, there were periods where McCann was simply unplayable. Against Rossa in the quarter-final, the first four balls into him resulted in scores and he repeated this early in the final. There were times in games when he was a little quiet, but when his team needed him most, he found a way to get on the ball and make something happen. This was vital in the final when the game was very much in the balance as he delivered when it mattered.
15: Michael Hagan (Portglenone)
Hagan just gets the nod over club-mate Conal Delargy as his pace, trickery and movement proved a headache when Portglenone needed something a little different going forward. In the epic quarter-final against St Gall's, Hagan contributed five points with three from play and was a contender for man-of-the-match in what was Casement's biggest championship win for years. Despite their semi-final coming just five days later against Creggan, he was again in good form for his team in a game that just didn't go their way.
