Sky full of stars: Shaun Casey selects his All-Star team

Armagh native and GL reporter Shaun Casey selects his All-Star team, but he’s found room for a few non-Armagh men…

Blaine Hughes (Armagh)

THE Carrickcruppen clubman was exceptional throughout Armagh’s All-Ireland winning campaign, conceding just three goals all year. He also played the entire final with a ruptured MCL after a collision with Joe McElroy in the warmup, but such was his excellent display, Galway never even noticed.

Johnny McGrath (Galway)

McGRATH is a candidate for Young Footballer of the Year, and he put in a number of solid shifts for Pádraic Joyce’s side. He was their go-to man-marker throughout the campaign and got on top of Armagh sharpshooter Conor Turbitt in the final.

Aaron McKay (Armagh)

McKAY was simply exceptional this year. It’s crazy that his contribution will be remembered as the goal in the All-Ireland final while it was his bravery and leadership in the defence that were the cornerstones for Armagh’s historic season.

Barry McCambridge (Armagh)

PLAYER of the Year in my eyes, from not being a guaranteed starter to getting the big gigs of halting Clifford and Walsh, it was a season to remember for McCambridge. Not only that, but he slammed home important goals as Roscommon and Kerry when Armagh needed them.

Dylan McHugh (Galway)

HAD McHugh stroked over a late score against Armagh, which was denied by the post, we could be looking at things very differently. While he isn’t in the Player of the Year shake up, McHugh is guaranteed a spot on the All-Star selection.

Aidan Forker (Armagh)

MY heart is possibly ruling my head with Forker as it certainly wasn’t his best year, but his personal qualities resemble all that are good about his team. Brave, resilient and a brilliant footballer, the Armagh captain was another important piece of the All-Ireland winning puzzle.

Peadar Mogan (Donegal)

THERE was a stage throughout the year that Mogan simply looked unplayable. He played with a freedom and his running power from deep, along with his scoring ability, makes him a serious asset for Jim McGuinness and Donegal going forward.

Paul Conroy (Galway)

CONROY deserves an All-Ireland medal for the commitment and effort he has given the Galway cause down through the years. He had a great season in the maroon and white and he was majestic in the All-Ireland final. It was harsh for him to end up on the losing side.

Ben Crealey (Armagh)

TO win the All-Star, the big Maghery midfielder is probably going to have to fight off opposition from his centerfield partner Niall Grimley. I think Crealey’s All-Ireland final display might just nudge him past Grimley, and Crealey popped up with important scores all year.

John Maher (Galway)

MAHER is a wrecking-ball of a half-forward and had an unbelievable summer. Strong and robust, Maher did the dirty work out around the middle and wasn’t afraid to throw his body in when required. He is nominated for Player of the Year and he certainly deserves to be in that conversation.

Rian O’Neill (Armagh)

O’NEILL’S season was more moments than 70-minute displays, but when Armagh need someone to do something special, the Crossmaglen man delivers. His scores against Kerry and Galway will live long in the memory for Armagh folk and they made a massive impact on the outcome of campaign.

Oisin Conaty (Armagh)

CONATY grabbed a starting shirt at the start of the league and never let it go. Had a blip against Kerry in the semi-final where he was replaced at half time but more than made up for it with a Player of the Match performance in the final. A shoo-in for Young Footballer of the Year.

Sam Mulroy (Louth)

ONLY Mayo’s Ryan O’Donoghue scored more than Mulroy did throughout the championship and Louth’s continued growth as a regular side competing in the Sam Maguire is mostly down to that bit of class, they have up top in Mulroy. Once again, he was their leading light in the 2024 season.

Oisín Gallen (Donegal)

HIS Ulster final performance was magical and Gallen had that sort of influence throughout the All-Ireland series. Has been talked up as a player with serious potential for a while now but finally in 2024 he delivered on his reputation and showed his quality.

Conor Turbitt (Armagh)

DIDN’T have a good final and was replaced before the final whistle and was also taken off in the semi-final. But he re-entered the fray and was superb in extra time against Kerry and up to that point, the Clann Éireann clubman was arguably Armagh’s Player of the Year.

Do you agree with our selection? Who should have been included? Send in your team to editor@gaeliclife.com. We aim to publish our readers’ selections.