DECLAN McCOY: The impossible All-Star selection

I’M going to try the impossible this week – and something a bit different to my usual coaching column – and pick my All-Star team for 2024.

This comes with a health warning. I have two mates nominated and as an Armagh fan I am biased. Anyone that disagrees with me and thinks it’s a disgrace that I left out a certain player, you are right. This is only my opinion and I’m even disagreeing with myself.

Nonetheless choices have to be made. I still can’t understand the omission of ‘Soupy’ Campbell from the nominations.

He was a big-game player this year that changed all the important games when introduced. Does it matter if you started or not? Impact is impact and performance is performance. Anyway. I’ll give it a rattle:

BLAINE HUGHES (ARMAGH)

His kick-outs and distribution were flawless. The ability and cool head he showed when injured in the final to kick with his other foot was nothing short of astounding.

BARRY MCCAMBRIDGE (ARMAGH)

An easy choice. Marked the biggest players and came up with massive goals and points too. The goal against Kerry gave Armagh fans the belief that we could win it. Will come very close to Player of the Year.

AARON MCKAY (ARMAGH)

An absolute rock at the heart of the Armagh defence. He set up many attacks and scored the vital goal in the biggest game. Word is he’s inviting me to the banquet too.

JOHNNY MCGRATH (GALWAY)

Another player you could hang your hat on to get the job done. Ridiculously consistent and effective.

BRIAN Ó BEAGLAOICH (KERRY)

The only Kerry player on my team and probably the coolest sounding name ever to win one.

DYLAN MCHUGH (GALWAY)

All-action modern defender that simply never stops attacking. The shot that hit the post in the final will haut him but he stepped up when others didn’t.

PEADAR MOGAN (DONEGAL)

I simply love watching him play. He is the epitome of the modern half-back. Just bombs forward all day. A nightmare to try and pin down.

BEN CREALEY (ARMAGH)

A stellar year for the Maghery man. A prime example of a ball-playing midfielder. As comfortable attacking as he is defending.

PAUL CONROY (GALWAY)

An unbelievable year from the veteran. To hit 2-13 from play is staggering. My Player of the Year.

RIAN O’NEILL (ARMAGH)

A slow burner of a season for Rian and substituted in the quarter-final. However, I believe his performance against Kerry was sensational and helped us back to the top table.

JOHN MAHER (GALWAY)

This man has the best side-step in the country. He literally danced his way through the Armagh defence in the final. Nailed on as a Player of the Year nominee.

CILLIAN MCDAID (GALWAY)

Gets through mountains of work on the wing and brought the fight to Armagh with three points in the final.

SAM MULROY (LOUTH)

Hit the 100-point mark for Louth this year. Back-to-back stunning performances in the Leinster finals has to be recognised. Another man rumoured to be taking me to the banquet.

OISíN GALLEN (DONEGAL)

My mind was made up on this when he destroyed Armagh in Clones. A player who can hit them over from any angle.

CONOR TURBITT (ARMAGH)

Although ‘Turbo’ didn’t function in the final, he shot the lights out for Armagh all year. No doubt in my mind Armagh don’t win the All-Ireland without him.

Honourable mentions

Niall Morgan – I believe he brought the sweeper-keeper to an even higher level this year with his laser-like precision passing.

Craig Lennon – Any other year he gets one but the competition in defence this year sees him just miss out. An absolute gazelle on the ball and a terrific attacking player.

Oisin Conaty – Player of the Match in the All-Ireland final puts him among the elite at such a young age.

Player of the year

Paul Conroy

Young Player of the Year

Oisin Conaty