ULSTER improved its GAA/GPA Football Allstars allocation slightly to three despite the disappointment of no northern county reaching this year's All-Ireland SFC semi-finals.
Here, in full, is the 15 Allstar winnners for 2016.
GOALKEEPER
1. David Clarke (Mayo)
Age: 32 Club: Ballina Stephenites
First Allstar
You could contend that he was a classic case of `more noticeable in his absence’ – except that the Ballina man did make important contributions every time he was on the pitch.
His omission from the Final replay starting side was a huge talking point and when he came on for the black-carded Rob Hennelly he provided a steady presence and accurate kick-outs.
Made good saves against Fermanagh, Kildare, Tyrone, Tipperary, and Dublin and even got very close to Diarmuid Connolly’s superb spot-kick.
Called up initially after the Connacht semi-final defeat by Galway – and had he started the replay Mayo might have remained unbeaten with him between the posts.
DEFENDERS
2. Brendan Harrison (Mayo)
Age 23 Club Aghamore
First Allstar
A traditional man-marking type of corner-back, not necessarily well-protected as Mayo worked on implementing a sweeper system, but usually able to do his defensive duties very well. Sticks tightly to his man, aggressive, and doesn’t make many errors.
Definitely got the better of Tyrone’s Ronan O’Neill in the All-Ireland quarter-final and although Tipperary’s Conor Sweeney caused him some trouble he was in fine form in both matches with Dublin.
Indeed he played so well on Bernard Brogan in the drawn final that the latter was dropped for the replay. Harrison did well then too, including a couple of blocks late on.
3. Jonny Cooper
Age: 26 Club: Na Fianna (Dublin)
First Allstar
Cooper celebrates his 27th birthday at the Allstars tomorrow night and fully deserves to do so as an award-winner.
One of the sharpest tacklers in the game, helped by his determination to get out in front of the man he’s marking. Consistently brave enough to attempt interceptions to cut out long balls, and then counter-attacked well.
Partly at fault for Kerry’s first goal in the semi-final but otherwise he was very impressive throughout most of the Championship.
Seemed harshly black-carded in the final replay and Dublin certainly missed his calm defensive covering as Mayo pushed them all the way.
4. Philly McMahon (Dublin)
Age: 29 Club: Ballymun Kickham’s
Second Allstar
Didn’t hit the heights – or sink to some of the lows – of last year but is still one of the most dependable defenders around.
Although he’s made a name with his forward forays, and was denied a goal by Kerry ‘keeper Brian Kelly, he did the basic part of the defensive role extremely well. One key stat – he kpt all direct opponents very quiet all year, with none scoring more than a point from play off him.
Manager Jim Gavin tended to literally put him up big men on the opposition team, including Laois’s Donie Kingston, Michael Murphy of Donegal, Kerry’s Kieran Donaghy, and Aidan O’Shea of Mayo.
5. Lee Keegan (Mayo)
Age: 27 Club: Westport
Fourth Allstar
Like Dublin’s Philly McMahon, pushes the limits of man-marking to breaking point – and beyond at times – but is also a brilliant footballer.
His worth was amply illustrated in the Final replay when he zoomed forward to strike a superb goal and Mayo badly missed his drive and energy after his dubious dismissal on a black card.
His clashes with Dublin’s Diarmuid Connolly were the contest of the Championship, with Keegan not limited to defensive work, often putting his opponent on the back foot and into his own half.
Turned 27 last week and now becomes Mayo’s record Allstar winner, with this fourth, coming over the past five seasons.
6. Colm Boyle (Mayo)
Age: 30 Club: Davitt’s
Third Allstar
Mayo had several contenders in the half-back line but Boyle got the nod, also winning out against the claims of Dublin’s Cian O’Sullivan.
The final replay was not his best day but before that he was vital to their run to the All-Ireland decider. Excellent against Kildare, he scored important points at vital times against Fermanagh, against Tyrone in the quarter-final, and also when Tipperary were threatening in the semi-final.
Recovered well from an unfortunate own goal in the drawn final, driving Mayo back into game with fierce determination.
A combative centre half-back whose all-round contribution earned him a third Allstar in four seasons.
7. Ryan McHugh (Donegal)
Age: 22 Club: Kilcar
First Allstar
Close to being ‘man of the match’ in most of his games, mostly because opponents struggled to get close to him due to his pace and clever running. Importantly has the game intelligence to go with that, regularly arriving in the right positions to take and make scores.
Despite his small stature he’s a big player on the big occasions, turning in terrific displays in both the Ulster Final – when he scored three points from play before the break – and in the All-Ireland quarter-final against eventual champions Dublin.
A very attacking player who links defence and attack superbly – and has finishing skills too.
MIDFIELDERS:
8. Brian Fenton (Dublin)
Age: 23 Club: Raheny
Second Allstar
The eyebrows raised by the two own goals Mayo conceded in the drawn final may have overlooked Fenton’s fine run that pierced the Dublin defence in the lead-up to the first. Such surges forward sum up the rangy Raheny man’s roving role, repeatedly racing through opposition rearguards and he’s able to add important points at the end of his attacking forays, as he did against Kerry and Mayo.
Provides a great combination of height and athleticism, making him an ideal modern midfielder able to win ball and then use it well, supplying team-mates or scoring himself.
9. Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone)
Age: 25 Club: Trillick
Second Allstar
Such were the consistently high standards set by the Trillick clubman this year that his ‘7’ in the All-Ireland quarter-final was something of a disappointment. Even then he scored three excellent points from play and provided a great goal chance with an incisive kick-pass.
‘Man of the match’ against Derry and Cavan in the drawn Ulster semi-final, he impressed in the replay too, before his provincial campaign was curtailed by a black card in the decider.
A powerful performer throughout the season, running at the opposition and taking a series of impressive scores, displays which earn him an Allstar for the second consecutive season.
FORWARDS:
10. Peter Harte (Tyrone)
Age: 25 Club: Errigal Ciaran
First Allstar
Whatever position you want to argue that he plays, you have to say that he’s a superb all-round footballer.
Wears number seven, often operates around the ‘11’ area, repeatedly linking defence and attack.
His directness extends to going for goal, netting against Derry and twice against Cavan in the replay rout in the Ulster semi-final.
Also able to score from further out – much further out. Struck what was probably the score of the summer to take the lead against Donegal late on in the Ulster Final. Mayo tried to contain him but he still put in a superb second half.
11. Diarmuid Connolly (Dublin)
Age: 29 Club: St Vincent’s
Second Allstar
A constant threat to opposition defences, both as a taker and a creator of scores. Hit some beauties off either foot in his tally of 1-16 from play, including the ‘insurance point’ against Kerry, struck left-footed from the left wing to seal the semi-final victory.
However, his most important score was from a placed ball – and he didn’t get enough credit for the brilliance of his penalty conversion in the Final replay. Even Lee Keegan wouldn’t have stopped it.
Always working and moving around the field, willing to drop deeper to get involved and make an impression, providing some superb kick-passes.
12. Ciaran Kilkenny (Dublin)
Age: 23 Club: Castleknock
Second Allstar
A terrific attacking talent but one who has added defensive work and industry up and down the pitch to his repertoire.
Showed his versatility by playing in the half-back area against Donegal and was very influential on that quarter-final, rarely wasting the ball, although there was some debate about his regular backward passing to retain possession.
Whenever he was further forward he put in a huge amount of work, winning ball and offering himself as an outlet to stretch defences.
Like many colleagues was below-par in the drawn final but bounced back with an excellent showing in the replay.
13. Dean Rock (Dublin)
Age: 26 Club: Ballymun Kickham’s
First Allstar
Finished as top scorer in the entire Championship with 1-58 across seven matches, an average of close to nine points per game. Most of those were from placed balls, but accurate free-taking should not be under-estimated – indeed when he had an off-day, in the drawn final against Mayo, Dublin almost paid the ultimate price.
The Ballymun clubman showed in the intense semi-final encounter with Kerry that there is more to his game than merely kicking frees and 45s, though, with an impressive all-round display. Indeed his open play game was eye-catching in Leinster too.
Follows his father Barney, who won the first of three consecutive Allstars in 1983.
14. Michael Quinlivan (Tipperary)
Age: 23 Club: Clonmel Commercials
First Allstar
One measure of an Allstar is how you do against the better players and Quinlivan dragged Lee Keegan around Croke Park, but in a good way, with his pace and movement, and arguably got the better of the highly-rated Mayo defender. Did not score from play that day in the All-Ireland semi-final but he had managed 2-12 in that regard earlier in the Championship. His seven frees against Mayo brought his overall tally to 2-27.
A blend of old and new as a full-forward, providing an aerial threat as a target man but mobile enough to create chances for himself and colleagues.
15. Paul Geaney (Kerry)
Age: 25 Club: Dingle
First Allstar
The top scorer from play across the Championship, with 3-13 notched over just four matches.
Perhaps even more tellingly, posed real problems for the Dublin defence in the semi-final, and was adjudged many observers’ ‘man of the match’ despite his county’s defeat in that ultimately thrilling encounter.
Scored 1-4 that day, rising high to touch in their second goal having earlier ‘spooked’ Dublin keeper Stephen Cluxton in the lead-up to Kerry’s opening goal.
Manager Eamonn Fitzmaurice later admitted he may have erred in taking Geaney off and the Dingle man certainly is the Kingdom’s star forward now.
