Men of summer: The team of the year

Kerry’s win over Donegal on Sunday brings the curtain down on the inter-county football season. Michael McMullan takes a stab at picking his team of the season…

Niall Morgan (Tyrone)

EDGES Shane Ryan to the number one jersey. After some inconsistent early performances, he was one of the reasons Tyrone were as close as anyone to the champions. He made a series of fine saves in the semi-final against the eventual winners. That came after the quarter-final against Dublin when he made another fine save while controlling the game with the use of his kick-outs.

Seán Rafferty (Meath)

LED the charge in Meath’s season that took them to the All-Ireland semi-finals, with wins over Dublin, Kerry and Galway. He wore number three, but popped up in different roles all over the pitch. A tough defender in the mould of a Mick Lyons from the Royals’ former days in the sun. His challenge on Galway’s John Maher -and the Meath fans’ roar – nearly took the roof off the Hogan Stand.

Brendan McCole (Donegal)

THE biggest compliment you can give McCole is that he is always at the front of the queue for the biggest marking jobs. It’s always done with the minimum of fuss. At times, he was directing Donegal’s kick-out signals and has been known to give Shaun Patton a short option. He was never going to be able to keep David Clifford scoreless in the final but Donegal couldn’t put out the fires elsewhere.

Jason Foley (Kerry)

LIKE he did in every game, Foley stayed close to goal in the final and is well established as the Kingdom’s number one man-marker. His pace saw him thwart Tyrone’s kicking options in the semi-final, some of which Kerry turned into ammo for David Clifford at the other end. Always moves for Shane Ryan as a kick-out option and very safe in the firing line against Donegal.

Kieran McGeary (Tyrone)

BACK to his best and was a vital cog as the Red Hands reached the All-Ireland semi-finals. He was well able to kick scores and link play in Malachy O’Rourke’s overall play. He made himself available time and time again on Niall Morgan’s kick-outs as they controlled the win over Dublin. It was their secret weapon.

Brian Ó Beaglaoich (Kerry)

ONE of the unsung heroes in Kerry’s march to the 39th title. He was missing in their defeat against Meath but bedded back in again. An excellent tackler and he can sense danger while also having the footballing nous to get forward and support attacks. In the final, he was mixing keeping wide with David Clifford and linking the play.

Gavin White (Kerry)

THE Dr Croke’s man had the final day of dreams. Made the points at the start of both halves. His run for the first score of the game set down the marker. While he scored three points, it was his incision and fisted scored that came at a time when Donegal were knocking.

Joe O’Connor (Kerry)

IF he was a bit-part player in their last All-Ireland win, he was anything but this time. A fulcrum and a wrecking ball with no shortage of ability. He made the flick tackle from behind his own trademark. O’Connor had the look of someone determined to nail down a regular spot. A massive first half in the final and finished the game by putting the cherry on top as he slammed past Shaun Patton.

Michael Langan (Donegal)

THE big St Michael’s man took his number of appearances to 100 during another impressive season in Donegal’s middle third. His goal turned the Monaghan game and he was a constant thorn with points at important times. Make an important catch in the final to make a Donegal score but their wastefulness stopped them from reeling Kerry in.

Paudie Clifford (Kerry)

IF his brother David throws a lot of the snowballs, Paudie makes many of them. Plays with his head up, rarely wastes a ball and well capable of kicking his own scores. It’s his ability to make plays from both sides of his body that makes him dynamite to contain. Controlled the final.

Seán O’Shea (Kerry)

HIS performance against Armagh had a bit of everything. He had cut, skill and devastating finishing power. Added to Kerry’s win over Tyrone and kicked half a dozen points in the final despite appearing to be struggling with an injury.

Oisin Conaty (Armagh)

THE only player in the selection not to make the last four and keeps Shane O’Donnell out of the team. A tough call in itself. Conaty was immense all season and impossible to omit. Even in defeat to Kerry, he was carrying the fight. He did everything he could to end Armagh’s Ulster famine. Brilliantly suited to the new rules.

David Clifford (Kerry) PLAYER OF THE YEAR

WITH 11-92, he is fully deserving of player of the year. In many ways, he is a cheat code for the new rules. Sheer class who can play football any way you want. Size, strength and skill. He has it all. The fact he scored 0-9 in the final off one of the game’s finest defenders says it all. And from very little possession. Played more of a decoy Kerry’s overall plan while still central to it.

Michael Murphy (Donegal)

ENDED up as a more central player than many expected in his comeback season. A target for kick-outs, an inside man at times and all-round influence on Donegal’s run to the All-Ireland final. To have come back from two years away from inter-county football and get himself into his position says a lot. Donegal fans will hope he is back on the bus next season too.

Conor O’Donnell (Donegal)

WITH 3-27 to his name across the season, O’Donnell proved what a loss he was to Donegal last season. He started all but one game and was their incisive inside man that lit up on All-Ireland final day with four points to his name.

YOUNG PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Finnbarr Roarty (Donegal)

WHAT a find for Donegal and for the game in general. A very difficult call to leave him off the actual team. The Naomh Conaill man has the prospect of a brilliant career ahead of him. He played like someone who’d been in the team for years.

MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Jack O’Connor (Kerry)

THE fact he won an All-Ireland without Diarmuid O’Connor, Paul Geaney and Tom O’Sullivan is some achievement. Add in Paudie Clifford and Seán O’Shea having their injury problems. He had to build a new management team and deal with the heat of losing to Meath. It’s hard to see the players not talking him into throwing his hat in the ring again.