Half dozen Armagh players in team of the year

Niall Gartland has a crack at picking this year’s All-Star football team

1. Niall Morgan (Tyrone)

ARMAGH goalkeeper Blaine Hughes is favourite to pick up the goalkeeping gong, but we’ve opted for Tyrone net-minder Niall Morgan to win the All-Star after a phenomenal season between the sticks (arguably his best ever in a Tyrone jersey). It would be his second All-Star if he makes the grade but as we say, Hughes is favourite.

2. Aidan Forker (Armagh)

THE man who captained Armagh to their second ever Sam Maguire, Aidan Forker is an on-field warrior with plenty of footballing ability who has played just about everywhere down the years for Armagh. Had an outstanding All-Ireland final, snuffing out the considerable threat of Galway wrecking ball Damien Comer and getting forward in the first half to kick a fine point.

3. Aaron McKay (Armagh)

AN outside bet for the coveted Footballer of the Year award, Aaron McKay had a dream season for the All-Ireland winning Armagh team. He’ll go down in Orchard County folklore for his goal in the All-Ireland final, ghosting upfield and palming Stefan Campbell’s pass – of course it was a pass – to the net. Was safe as houses in a watertight Armagh rearguard that only conceded three goals in the entire championship.

4. Barry McCambridge (Armagh)

THERE is no way on earth that Barry McCambridge won’t pocket a first All-Star. He scored 2-5 in the championship from corner-back, including the goal that lit the touch paper for their semi-final comeback against Kerry in a titanic All-Ireland semi-final tussle. He won the Player of the Match award for his performance in the All-Ireland last-eight clash against Roscommon and held David Clifford and Shane Walsh to a single point each in subsequent matches – no mean feat. He’s a modest sort as well.

5. Dylan McHugh (Galway)

DYLAN McHugh’s consistent excellence was a major factor in Galway’s march to the All-Ireland final. The 27-year-old had to bide his name to nail down a starting jersey for Galway but he’s now one of the very first names on the teamsheet and was deservedly named Player of the Match for his performance against Donegal in the All-Ireland semi-final, his boundless energy a major factor in their win.

6 Craig Lennon (Louth)

WE may be shoehorning this lad in, but it’s our party and all that. Lennon mightn’t have the same recognition as the remainder of this team, but he had a brilliant season for the Wee County, racking up 4-7 from half-back, a tally that included goals against Dublin and Kerry. If the All-Star committee find room for him, it would certainly be a warranted curveball.

7 Peadar Mogan (Donegal)

BLINK and you’ll miss him. Peadar Mogan tortured opposition defences with his searing pace from half-back and scoring ability, and won the GAA’s Player of the Month awards for both May and June. Injury curtailed his 2023 season but he was back with a bang under Jim McGuinness and played a major role in Donegal’s rejuvenation as a team with the potential to push for an All-Ireland title.

8 Paul Convroy (Galway)

HAD Galway won the All-Ireland title, you’d probably be looking at the Footballer of the Year in waiting. The 35-year-old is a totemic figure in the Galway engine-room and he played his heart out on All-Ireland final day, scoring three points from play. Scored 2-18 across the campaign and is a shoo-in for an All-Star.

9 Michael Langan (Donegal)

THE All-Ireland semi-final between Galway and Donegal was a real war of attrition and one player who certainly stood up to the plate in the white heat of battle was Donegal midfielder Michael Langan, who scored four delightful points from play. Had an excellent season alongside his midfield partner Jason McGee.

10 John Maher (Galway)

THE Tribesmen will be the first to admit that they didn’t play to their peak potential in the All-Ireland final, but one man who did step up to the plate in the heat of battle was John Maher, who delivered a barnstorming display. Something of an unsung hero and he’d surely deserve an All-Star.

11 Rian O’Neill (Armagh)

DELIVERED in the big moments. Kicked two beautiful points in the All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry, including a monster effort that put Armagh ahead for the first time. Scored another worldie on All-Ireland final day. On top of everything else, his sheer strength in possession and in the tackle makes him one of the most formidable players in the country.

12 Paudie Clifford (Kerry)

PAUDIE can be a slightly antagonistic sort (sorry, Kerry readers) and that doesn’t always endear him to opposition supporters, but there’s no doubting what he brings to the Kerry team. Gets through a mountain of work every day he goes out, helps link the play, gets up and down the flanks, it certainly isn’t his fault that Kerry’s campaign faltered at the penultimate hurdle.

13 Oisin Conaty (Armagh)

YES ok, we’re selecting him slightly out of position but we had to get him in somewhere. Following his downright excellent performance in the All-Ireland final, Conaty’s manager Kieran McGeeney anointed him as the Young Footballer of the Year and deservedly so. Had a quiet All-Ireland semi-final but more than made amends on the big day, weighing in with three priceless points from play.

14 OisÍn Gallen (Donegal)

THE supremely talented Donegal full-forward proved a thorn in the side of opposition defences throughout the land, finishing his championship campaign with 2-33 to his name. He was particularly brilliant in an enthralling Ulster final against Armagh, scoring four points from play en route to their shoot-out victory.

15 Conor Turbitt (Armagh)

THE man commonly known as ‘Turbo’ had a year to remember, racking up 3-22 in Armagh’s rollercoaster championship campaign. Stepped up to the plate with some huge moments in the Ulster final against Donegal and had another eye-catching showing in the All-Ireland semi-final against Kerry. Quiet in the final but that shouldn’t detract from his overall efforts.

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.