1. James O’Donoghue
The Footballer of the Year in waiting. O’Donoghue was in sublime form right throughout the league and championship this year, scoring 9-48 in stunning campaign. He adapted his game to play a more withdrawn role in the final and had 31 possessions yesterday despite failing to score.
The Legion star stepped into the shoes of the injured Colm Cooper at the beginning of the year and has undoubtedly developed into one of the the top forwards in the game.
2. Diarmuid Connolly
Connolly has enjoyed an excellent year for both club and county in 2014. At one stage the St. Vincent’s man was the reigning league, Leinster and All-Ireland champion with Dublin, while at club level, he was the county, provincial and national holder with St Vincents.
Connolly’s gave some magnificent displays as Dublin cruised to the All-Ireland semi-final and even in their defeat to Donegal, he kicked five points and stood head and shoulders above all his team-mates, with the exception of Paul Flynn.
3. Michael Murphy
Donegal’s talisman won’t be pleased with his underpar display in the final, but it shouldn’t mask the stunning campaign he enjoyed. Murphy was at the heart of Donegal’s return to the All-Ireland final. His alternating role between midfield and the full-forward line meant it was almost impossible to prevent him from influencing games in this year’s championship.
Murphy showed tremendous leadership in dragging Donegal to a narrow win over Armagh, before he inspired them to victory over the Dubs. It was also his highest ever scoring campaign with 21 points.
4. Neil McGee
Still one of the most under-rated defenders in the country, according to Kieran McGeeney, McGee was right up there with Murphy as Donegal’s most consistent performer this year. His finest hour came in the semi-final, when he completely shackled Bernard Brogan, limiting Dublin’s star man to just two two shots from play.
You won’t find many defenders in the country capable of keeping James O’Donoghue scoreless, albeit in a packed defence, and McGee certainly deserves recognition for an excellent season.
5. Cillian O’Connor
For a second successive year, Cillian O’Connor finishes as the championship’s top scorer. O’Connor bagged 5-36 in a year where he is a shoe-in for his first ever Allstar award. His role as Mayo’s key forward was highlighted in the two epic games against Kerry, where he led the Mayo charge with 3-13 over both games. Hard to believe he’s still only 22.
6. Kieran Donaghy
The Tralee man saved his contribution in 2014 for the three biggest games of all. To say that Kerry were in a bit of a hole before Donaghy introduction against Mayo would be an understatement. Donaghy’s arrival on the scene galvanized Kerry’s All-Ireland aspirations and was probably the single most important moment in this year’s championship.
He was critical in snatching a late draw against Mayo, and even more so in their replay win over the Connacht champions six days later. Yesterday, Donaghy’s Lazarus-like comeback was completed with his 52nd minute goal that set Kerry on the path to victory. Incredible.
7. Paul Flynn
It’s easy to forgot just how good Flynn was this year. A month ago he was considered the front runner to claim Footballer of the Year award, before Dublin’s season came to a sudden halt. He gave some power packed displays in a year where only James O’Donoghue, Paul Geaney and Conor Sweeney scored more than he did from play.
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Are there any other players who deserve to make this list? Let us know your best footballers of 2014 in the comments section below.
