| Irish Post’s football All-stars
By Liam Hassett
After a lacklustre beginning the 2006 Championship emerged as one of the
best there has been this decade.
New teams and new players came onto the scene and added fresh intrigue
to the Championship.
Players emerged from some of the less fashionable football counties and
staked their claim for a place in the All-Star team while more
established stars showed what they are capable of.
Picking an All-Star team for 2006 wasn’t an easy task. There were
several contenders for every position and many top-quality footballers
had to be left out.
While not every reader will agree with my Irish Post All-Stars team of
2006 I hope we can all agree those I have selected are top-quality
footballers.
 Steven
Cluxton
Goalkeeper (Dublin)
Generally regarded as the best goalkeeper in Gaelic football the
schoolteacher will be winning his third All-star after another excellent
year between the posts for Dublin.
A world-class shot stopper whose kick-outs have improved dramatically in
recent season.
 Marc
O’Se
Corner-back (Kerry)
The corner-back was once again imperious for Kerry. Dealt with every
opponent put before him with his customary composure and skill.
The schoolteacher has matured into one of the best defenders in Ireland
and will be continuing a proud family tradition if he wins an All-Star.
 Graham
Canty
Full-back (Cork)
Gets the nod despite having missed some big games through injury.
The consumate professional he used all of his vast experience to seal a
Munster title for Cork. Kieran Donaghy might have had a more difficult
task if Canty had been fit for the All-Ireland semi-final.
A rock at the back for Billy Morgan’s men.
 Keith
HIggins
Corner-back (Mayo)
The dual star would be a deserving winner of his first All-Star if he
gets the nod.
Had his best year in a Mayo shirt — posseses massive pace and physical
strength, ideal qualities in a corner-back.
His fielding has improved in recent years and he gets forward a bit more
than the used to.
 Aidan
O’Mahony
Wing-back (Kerry)
The Rathmore man produced a performance of absolute top quality in the
All-Ireland final and that may be enough to secure his first-ever
All-star award.
The 25-year-old had been one of the lower profile players on the Kerry
panel in recent years but that should change after his breakthrough year
in 2006.
 Seamus
Moynihan
Centre-back (Kerry)
A winner of four All-Ireland medals, the veteran will surely collect his
third All-Star after an impressive year at centre-back.
His retirement will be a big loss to the Kerry reargaurd. A versatile
player he lined out in a number of positions for Kerry and it would be
the perfect way to round off his career.
 Karl
Lacey
Wing-back (Donegal)
A new kid on the block in 2006 and while he will be a new name to many
he is a player to watch in the future.
At times he was Donegal’s main attacking outlet from wing back, without
neglecting his defensive duties and would be a worthy winner of his
first All-Star.
 Daragh
O’Se
Midfielder (Kerry)
The tough midfielder came into his own as Kerry progressed in the
championship and was the dominant player in the middle third during the
All-Ireland final.
Has won everything there is to win. He is another of the players who is
thought likely to retire and will be winning his second All-Star if he
gets the nod.
 Nicholas
Murphy
MIdfield (Cork)
Was imperious in midfield as the Rebels charged to Munster Championship
glory, an obvious choice for a player who hit new heights in 2006 and is
now one of the top midfielders in the country.
The hard-running performer would be winning his second All-Star if
selected.
 Paul
Galvin
Wing-forward (Kerry)
Gets the All-Star for a strong finish to the championship and an
excellent contribution in the All-Ireland final.
Would be winning his second All-star if chosen and this
dourly-consistent performer who acts a the engine for much of Kerry’s
attacking play doesn’t always get the credit he deserves.
 Alan
Brogan
Centre-forward (Dublin)
Son of the Dublin great Bernard, Alan has improved with every year of
championship football and was head and shoulders above any other
centre-forward in terms of consistency of performance this year.
Would be winning his second All-Star if he is selected.
 Alan
Dillon
Wing-forward (Mayo)
A workhorse at the heart of Mayo’s attack he hit new heights this year
and showed that he is more than just a grafter with some very fine
scores.
Dillon was a vital part of the Mayo side and should improve with every
year.
 Conor
Mortimer
Corner-forward (Mayo)
The leading championship scorer this year will surely be honoured with
an All-Star despite his tepid performance in the final.
He displayed nerveless free taking and excellent scoring from play
throughout the championship. Mortimer fully deserves what would be his
second All-Star.
 Kieran
Donaghy
Full-forward (Kerry)
Will probably be named as footballer of the year after an outstanding
season.
Began as a midfelder and ended as the sort of dominant full-forward
which Gaelic football hasn’t witnessed in a generation.
His height is an undoubted asset and he is a deadly finisher in front of
the posts.
 James
Masters
Corner-forward (Cork)
Almost single-handedly carried club and county through to the decisive
stages of their championships. Can be vulnerable to a defender with lots
of speed but his performances earned him a place on the All-Star team
for this year. He would be winning his first all-star if selected. |
