DERRY football celebrated its greatest night for 30 years with four of its players being named 2023 PwC GAA/GPA Allstars in Dublin, while there was also joy for Roscommon – but perhaps some disappointment for Dublin.
Defenders Conor McCluskey and Gareth McKinless, midfielder Brendan Rogers, and full-forward Shane McGuigan were all selected by a 15-person media panel, the most accolades for the Oak Leaf county since its All-Ireland winning season of 1993, when they won seven.
In a further boost, Derry wing-forward Ethan Doherty was named as PwC GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year, the first ever winner from his county.
Monaghan wing-back Conor McCarthy joined the four Derrymen on the podium at the RDS after his performances in helping his county reach the All-Ireland semi-finals too.
There was just the one award for Roscommon, but Enda Smith becoming the Rossies’ first Allstar since Francie Grehan in 2001, and only their 16th overall, will be warmly welcomed in the Connacht county. The Boyle clubman was the only winner from the western province, although Galway’s Sean Kelly came very close to earning a place among the backs.
The rare appearance in recent years for a player who didn’t feature in the All-Ireland semi-finals (or even in the quarter-finals, with Roscommon knocked out in the preliminaries by Cork) was partly a consequence of the new, extended football Championship format – but mostly down to the quality of Smith’s performances.
While Derry will be delighted with their haul, there may be disgruntlement among Dublin followers, despite them topping the tally on the night.
There will certainly be some surprise expressed that Derry’s conquerors, and eventual All-Ireland champions, Dublin, only received five Allstars, with just one of those among the forwards, the last name on the team, Colm Basquel.
That’s the lowest number of Allstars for the Sam Maguire winners since Kerry also received only five in 2014, while Cork collected just four as champions in 2010.
Brian Howard came closest to adding to Dublin’s total, the versatile Raheny man edged out for a place in defence by Derry’s McKinless.
In attack, Cormac Costello and Paul Mannion were also unfortunate to miss out, especially the latter who produced a terrific performance in the final against Kerry.
At least Stephen Cluxton increased his age profile as the oldest ever Allstar, winning his seventh such accolade in preference to Kerry goalkeeper Shane Ryan. The Parnell’s clubman will turn 42 next month, having won his first Allstar fully 21 years ago.
Cluxton was also joined by county colleagues Michael Fitzsimons and James McCarthy in defence, and Brian Fenton at midfield. The 30-year-old Fenton is close behind Cluxton, with six awards now, while McCarthy has five and Fitzsimons four.
Kerry, who edged out Derry in the semi-finals, only to be pipped by Dublin in the decider, had to be content with four Allstars, although their superstar David Clifford did receive the big individual award as Footballer of the Year (see back page).
Clifford, now a five-time Allstar, was once again joined on stage as an Allstar by his older brother Paudie, the third consecutive season that the brothers from Fossa have performed such a double act.
There were also third Allstars for defender Kerry defender Tom O’Sullivan and Seanie O’Shea, making for three forwards from the Kingdom.
In all there were seven first-time Allstars – the four Derrymen, plus Conor McCarthy, Smith, and Basquel.
Kerry remain top of the Football Allstars tree, now with 159 awards, with Dublin just one step closer to catching them, on 146. Derry have overtaken Offaly into eighth on that roll of honour, moving onto 33 awards (for 23 different players), just one behind neighbours Donegal.
2023 PwC GAA/ GPA Football Allstars by county:
Dublin – 5; Kerry – 4; Derry – 4; Monaghan – 1; Roscommon – 1.
2023 Pwc Football Allstars:
1 Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)
2 Conor McCluskey (Derry)
3 Michael Fitzsimons (Dublin)
4 Tom O’Sullivan (Kerry)
5 James McCarthy (Dublin)
6 Gareth McKinless (Derry)
7 Conor McCarthy (Monaghan)
8 Brian Fenton (Dublin)
9 Brendan Rogers (Derry)
10 Enda Smith (Roscommon)
11 Seanie O’Shea (Kerry)
12 Paudie Clifford (Kerry)
13 David Clifford (Kerry)
14 Shane McGuigan (Derry)
15 Colm Basquel (Dublin)
