IT’S BUSINESS TIME in the All-Ireland Senior Football championship with just four sides still in the hunt for Sam Maguire.
The Allstars are never decided at this stage and the three remaining games will go a long way to deciding who picks up the individual honours at the end of the season.
But if the awards were handed out in August, who would pick up Allstars? Here are the players who sit in pole position.
ALLSTAR AWARDS
Goalkeeper – 1. Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)
No player has changed the face of the game more than Stephen Cluxton. His kick-outs have been flawless once again this season, particularly in the Leinster final where his masterful display provided the foundations for victory.
Honourable mentions go to…Brian Kelly has enjoyed an excellent debut season – his kick-outs in particular helping Kerry regularly enjoy the upper hand in midfield. Rob Hennelly has been solid as always while Paul Durcan is one of the most under-rated players in the country.
Full-back line – 2. Johnny Cooper (Dublin), 3. Philip McMahon (Dublin), 4. Andy Mallon (Armagh)
Johnny Cooper has been a rock at the back of this all-conquering Dublin side, whether it be at corner back or on the half-back line.Philip McMahon has been a rock at the back for Dublin as they cruised to another All-Ireland semi-final while veteran defender Andy Mallon excelled in Armagh’s campaign and even bagged a point against Tyrone, Roscommon and Donegal.
Honourable mentions go to…Rory O’Carroll was excellent for Dublin and could yet claim an Allstar proper, Keith Higgins has quietly gone about his business in solid-fashion, while Neil McGee has been instrumental in Donegal’s campaign so far.
Half-back line – 5. Lee Keegan (Mayo), 6 . James McCarthy (Dublin), 7. Fionn Fitzgerald (Kerry)
Lee Keegan is quite possible the most consistent performer out there and is almost nailed on to claim his third Allstar award. He has helped himself to tally 0f 1-3 in the championship so far, including 1-1 in the Connacht, but he’s not finished scoring yet. James McCarthy has also played to his typically high standards on the marauding Dublin half-back line and looks set to collect his first Allstar. Meanwhile, Fionn Fitzgerald has blossomed as Kerry surged to another All-Ireland semi-final.
Honourable mentions go to…
Frank McGlynn and Karl Lacey look back to their 2012 vintage with a serious of all-action displays for Donegal and Dessie Mone certainly deserves a mention after another fine season on Monaghan’s half-back line. Colin O’Riordan had an outstanding debut campaign for Tipperary, but they exited the championship too early for him to make the team.
Midfield – 8. Odhran Mac Niallais (Donegal), 9. Seamus O’Shea (Mayo)
Odhran Mac Niallais begin the season on Donegal’s half-forward line but injury to Rory Kavanagh has seen the 21-year-old make his home in centre-field. In his first championship season, the Letterkenny native has stood up as one of the main men in Donegal’s charge to the semi-finals and scored 1-4 in his last two games.
Seamus O’Shea, on current form, is the best midfielder in the country. Mayo have become accustomed to the elder O’Shea lording the airwaves in the middle and he has delivered three outstanding performances back-to-back against Roscommon, Galway and Mayo, improving with each game.
Honourable mentions go to…Cian O’Sullivan has blossomed in midfield this season alongside Michael Darragh Macauley and either of these two is likely to pick up an Allstar if Dublin win the two-in-a-row. Elsewhere Neil Gallagher and Tom Flynn have stood out above the rest.
Half-Forward line – 10. Paul Flynn (Dublin), 11. Shane Walsh (Galway), 12. Ryan McHugh (Donegal)
Paul Flynn is the bookies favourite to be named Footballer of the Year at the end of the season, such is the rich vein of form he is enjoying. Flynn was back to his best in Dublin’s win over Monaghan and remains one of the most complete footballers in the game.
The other two players on the half-forward line, Shane Walsh and Ryan McHugh, are serious contenders for the Young Footballer of the Year award. Walsh was outstanding as Galway made it to the last eight for the first time in six years, proving he is one of the classiest forwards around. McHugh has shined in the deep-lying half-forward role vacated by his brother Mark and gave a man-of-the-match display in the Ulster final.
Honourable mentions go to…
Diarmuid Connolly is extremely unlucky to miss out having shone on Dublin’s ever productive half-forward line, Armagh’s Tony Kernan was absolutely pivotal in their quarter-final run, while Aidan O’Shea is in the running for his efforts at 11 for Mayo.
Full-Forward line – 13. James O’Donoghue (Kerry), 14. Paul Geaney (Kerry), 15. Cillian O’Connor (Mayo)
Having hit 1-15 in just two championship games, there can be no doubt that James O’Donoghue is the most prolific forward in Ireland at present. Both Cork and Galway found out to their peril just how destructive O’Donoghue is when bearing down on goal and his goal against Galway is a sure contender for goal of the year.
In the opposite corner, Cillian O’Connor has once again spearheaded the Mayo attack with real gusto. With 2-23 on the board already, O’Connor has made light of claims that Mayo lack a ‘marquee forward’. Finally, Paul Geaney has been O’Donoghue’s partner in crime all summer and has kicked 0-14 so far in the championship.
Honourable mentions go to…
Michael Murphy deserves plaudits for the self-less work he does for Donegal, sacrificing his attacking instics to spend the majority of his time out around midfield, while Kevin McManamon will be very much part of the shake-up if he keeps his place in the team.
Did we miss anyone? Let us know who you would have included in the comments section below.
