THE BEST GAELIC footballers in the country in 2014 were recognized last Friday night with players from Kerry, Donegal, Dublin and Mayo carving up the Allstar awards.
That got us thinking about the best players over the years that haven’t been recognized with an Allstar award and here’s 15 Gaelic footballers – in no particular order – that we’ve selected.
And yes we know, we’ve probably forgotten plenty greats who missed out. Let us know who you’d have picked in the comment section below.
1. Michael Meehan (Galway)
Injuries have stalled Meehan’s career but he’s showcased his fantastic talent in winning three Connacht senior medals, a Hogan Cup in 2002 with St Jarlath’s and an All-Ireland club medal in 2004 with Caltra.
2. Aaron Kernan (Armagh)
Young Footballer of the Year in 2005, Kernan won four Ulster senior medals and an All-Ireland U21 medal with Armagh before announcing his retirement this year. He also has ten Armagh, seven Ulster and three All-Ireland titles with his club Crossmaglen.
3. Jason Sherlock (Dublin)
One of the stars of Dublin’s 1995 All-Ireland senior win as a teenager, Sherlock went to win in total seven Leinster senior football medals during his career. Won three Dublin titles and one Leinster with his club Na Fianna.
4. Liam Harnan (Meath)
Five Leinster senior medals and two All-Ireland senior medals in 1987 and 1988 for the Meath man from the Moynalvey club.
5. Patrick Kelly (Cork)
The current Cork player was a key member of their 2010 All-Ireland winning side. He has three Munster and three National League medals with Cork to his name, while recently he won his first Cork senior football championship with his club Ballincollig.
6. John Galvin (Limerick)
A towering figure for years in the Limerick midfield, Galvin was desperately unlucky not to win an Allstar in 2010. He did win the man-of-the-match award for that year’s Munster final and was on the GPA Team of the Year. In 2000, Galvin won a Munster U21 football medal and this year he won a Clare senior championship with Cratloe.
7. Leighton Glynn (Wicklow)
One of Wicklow’s best footballers, Glynn won a Tommy Murphy Cup and a Division 4 football league with his county. He also played for Ireland in the International Rules and has won ten county senior football medals for Rathnew.
8. Eoin Brosnan ((Kerry)
Brosnan won three All-Ireland medals with Kerry as well two National football league honours and was a Munster senior champion on seven occasions. He has also won five Kerry titles and three Munster titles with his club Dr Crokes.
9. Manus Boyle (Donegal)
The Killybegs clubman hit 0-9 in the 1992 All-Ireland final when Donegal stunned Dublin to lift Sam Maguire. He also helped his club to win a series of county football titles in Donegal.
10. Colm Coyle (Meath)
The long-serving Meath defender won three All-Ireland medals during his career in 1987, 1988 and 1996. The Seneschalstown club man also won five Leinster titles and two National Leagues during his career.
11. Paul Barden (Longford)
A brilliant footballer from one of the lesser lights, Barden has won an O’Byrne Cup and two National League medals with his county. He was also a former member of the Irish International Rules team.
12. Karol Mannion (Roscommon)
Mannion retired last January after enjoying a career with the Roscommon footballers that saw him win a Connacht senior medal in 2010 while he also won one All-Ireland, four Connacht and six Roscommon senior medals with his club St Brigid’s.
13. Gary Brennan (Clare)
Superb midfielder who has impressed for the Banner in recent years while also making his mark for Munster in the interprovincial championships.
14. Jamie Clarke (Armagh)
Freescoring and talented corner forward for Armagh, Clarke has won county, Ulster and All-Ireland honours with his club Crossmaglen Rangers.
15. Dara O Cinnéide (Kerry)
The An Ghaeltacht native won three All-Ireland’s with Kerry in 1997, 2000 and 2004. He also claimed two National League medals and eight Munster senior medals.
