Sport

Danny Hughes: Derry and Armagh deserving of a generous sprinkling of Irish News Allstars

Armagh's Rian O'Neill and Donegal's Brendan McCole in action. O'Neill had so many sublime moments and deserves an Irish News Ulster GAA Allstar, says Danny Hughes Picture: Philip Walsh
Armagh's Rian O'Neill and Donegal's Brendan McCole in action. O'Neill had so many sublime moments and deserves an Irish News Ulster GAA Allstar, says Danny Hughes Picture: Philip Walsh Armagh's Rian O'Neill and Donegal's Brendan McCole in action. O'Neill had so many sublime moments and deserves an Irish News Ulster GAA Allstar, says Danny Hughes Picture: Philip Walsh

IT is that time of the year again and The Irish News Ulster Allstar team is always a premier event in the GAA calendar, recognising the best players in the province in 2022.

Given Derry and Armagh’s rise to prominence, it is no coincidence that my team reflects as much.

I would also say that, in my humble opinion, the football on display is in a good place.

Ethan Rafferty (Armagh)

THE big midfielder turned goalkeeper had some inspiring moments during the Championship campaign.

Very assured under the high ball, his marauding adventures out the field allowed him to kick some wonderful long-range points.

As opposed to Niall Morgan and Raymond Galligan whom both take free kicks, Rafferty is slightly different, in that Rian O’Neill is the dead-ball expert.

Rafferty has brought a different dimension and given his ability to break the ‘game-line’, added to his long range scoring, he gets my vote.

Chrissy McKaigue (Derry)

HAD I been picking a captain for this side, McKaigue would have certainly been in the top two.

He is Derry’s main man-marker and in a time of mass defences and, at times, a lack of one-to-one match-ups, there remains a key role for a specialist. He can also get up the field and score and is comfortable on the ball.

Had Derry reached an All-Ireland final, he definitely would have picked up a GAA Allstar.

Brendan Rogers (Derry)

I KNOW Damien Comer gave him a tough time in the All-Ireland semi-final, but one game should not define any player.

Up until then, though, Rogers was inspired and was absolutely vital in securing a return of the Anglo-Celt Cup to the Oak Leaf County.

He can score and his driving runs out of defence are critical to Derry’s counter attacking style.

James Morgan (Armagh)

HIS discipline in the tackle has improved immeasurably and had a brilliant campaign on some of the best forwards in Ulster and Ireland.

He appears to be enjoying his football and this has shone through in the displays this year.

A Crossmaglen stalwart, his no-nonsense approach and toughness makes for a manager’s ideal player.

A scoring dimension would catapult him to a different level.

Jarlath Og Burns (Armagh)

SUPER season for the Silverbridge man.

Great feet (obviously inherited from the mother’s side of the family) and a fantastic ball player; sometimes being the son of a county legend can weigh heavily on a player.

Not Jarly, who will win many more of these awards over the course of his career.

He can play anywhere from half-back, midfield to half-forward. Sign of a great footballer.

Padraig McGrogan (Derry)

A VERY close contest for the number six jersey between this man and Aaron McKay.

Perhaps shaded it because Derry secured a place in the last four.

Both positions are critical in the modern game and given Gallagher’s game-plan to sitting back allowing teams to come onto you, McGrogan has had to be very disciplined and indeed smart in how he plays the role.

The position also demands you being everything to everybody and as well as being a presence down the centre of the team, you have to be able to contribute to counter-attacks through hard running.

Richly deserved first award.

Jason McLoughlin (Cavan)

TAILTEANN Cup or not, small margins differentiate winners and losers.

Cavan should never have found themselves in the competition but once there, I honestly believed they would win it.

Westmeath never read the script but nonetheless McLoughlin performed admirably and deserves an Allstar for this seasons exploits.

Will be one of the players Cavan look to again next year to drive them into Division Two.

Conor Glass (Derry)

NAILED on Irish News Allstar and once he decided he was coming home from Australia, Derry were always going to improve.

No coincidence either that this homecoming and Derry’s Ulster title go hand-in-hand.

His on-field leadership via securing primary possession and his strong running to break through defences allows Derry to create over-lapping runs and scores.

Top player and this will be the first of many.

Ben Crealey (Armagh)

I THOUGHT he had an excellent season.

Thomas Galligan and Gareth McKinless were also brilliant, however, the Maghery man deserves my vote given that Armagh made such significant strides in both the National League and Championship.

Crealey goes about his business without much fuss or fanfare but is critical to winning primary possession and the unglamorous ball at midfield. His first Irish News Allstar.

Stefan Campbell (Armagh)

UNDOUBTEDLY one of the most skilful players in Ulster on his day.

Criticism over the years was never based on skill but was prone to some inconsistent displays resulting in a mixed bag of substitute appearances and starts in the jersey.

This always appeared to light another fire under him and was always called on to change a game that in turn inspired some memorable comebacks over the years.

His consistency this year was much better and he appears to have grown into a more confident player.

Deserves Irish News Allstar.

Rory Grugan (Armagh)

I DON’T think Armagh have had a more consistent player for two seasons now.

Some people are leaders without needing the captaincy as when he did hold that role, I honestly think he took on the pressure and expectation of the entire team.

This weighed heavy.

His scoring exploits is one thing, but his willingness to work hard and assist others in scoring make him the ideal ‘socialist’ footballer. For me, a certain Irish News Allstar.

Ethan Doherty (Derry)

THE fundamentals of Gaelic football have not changed since its inception. The half-forward line role remains fundamental to making a team successful.

It involves carrying a scoring threat, huge work-rate and being an outlet to the defence.

Doherty is a workhorse and for me does all the above tasks.

Obviously has taken on board a huge amount of Rory Gallagher’s advice and in turn this has made him a better player.

Rian O’Neill (Armagh)

CERTAN Irish News Allstar. I would fall off my seat if O’Neill doesn’t get voted in the team of 2022.

Inspiring figure for Armagh. He has everything in his locker.

The height, the athleticism and the skill, O’Neill is so influential for Armagh; he is to the Orchard what David Clifford is to the Kingdom.

He will pick up a few more of these over the next few years.

Shane McGuigan (Armagh)

THE main scoring threat for Derry.

Having been Slaughneil’s go-to man during their successes over the last number of years, he is now his county’s.

His scoring obviously is his strong point and having that focal point for a team is the difference between Derry winning an Anglo-Celt Cup and not.

Well-marshalled by the Galway defence and Sean Kelly, but nonetheless had a brilliant championship.

Jack McCarron (Monaghan)

A VERY difficult call and Armagh’s Jason Duffy and Aiden Nugent have great claims here, as does Benny Heron.

But for me, it’s McCarron.

This man has shown great promise over the years, a back-up to Conor McManus in many ways, only to be dogged by inconsistency.

I thought he had a superb League and Championship season for the Farneymen.

While they had a difficult campaign, Monaghan still have some very good players and Jack certainly is one of them.