DUBLIN CAN’T have too many complaints after securing a chart-topping 12 nominations for the 2011 football All Stars, and yet some eyebrows were raised at the exclusion of their All-Ireland-winning captain Bryan Cullen, and inclusion of their All-Ireland final substitute Kevin McManamon.
That’s what happens, perhaps, when McManamon scores the goal that might ultimately have won Dublin the All-Ireland, while Cullen was more quietly consistent throughout the summer, without making any headlines.
Still, Dublin aren’t the only ones to possibly feel a little hard done by – Wexford, beaten Leinster finalists, have only one man among the 45 nominations in forward Ben Brosnan, with fellow forward Ciarán Lyng overlooked, and beaten Ulster finalists, Derry, also have just one nomination in Eoin Bradley. And there are no nominations for beaten Munster and All-Ireland quarter-finalists Limerick – who lost out at both stages to Kerry.
Kerry are next best represented after Dublin, with nine of the team that started in the All-Ireland defeat nominated, including their entire full-back line. Beaten semi-finalists Donegal have been handed seven, while Mayo get five nominations after going out in the last four to Kerry.
Of the other beaten quarter-finalists, Kildare get five, Cork three and Tyrone two. The final team of 15 players will be presented at the banquet event at the Convention Centre Dublin on Friday, October 21st, along with the hurling All Star team.
The list of 45 names was selected by the same committee of journalists that selected the 2010 awards. The player-of-the-month awards were selected using a player vote from a shortlist of players drawn up by the scheme’s steering committee.
The player-of-the-month award winners from May to September were Ben Brosnan (May, Wexford), Alan Brogan (June, Dublin), Karl Lacey (July, Donegal), Colm Cooper (August, Kerry) and Darran O’Sullivan (September, Kerry).
2011 GAA-GPA Football All Star Nominations
Goalkeepers
Brendan KealyKerry
Stephen CluxtonDublin
Paul DurcanDonegal
Full Backs
Michael FoleyKildare
Neil McGeeDonegal
Frank McGlynnDonegal
Marc Ó SéKerry
Rory O'CarrollDublin
Tom O'SullivanKerry
Joe McMahonTyrone
Hugh McGrillenKildare
Cian O'SullivanDublin
Half Backs
Karl LaceyDonegal
Donal VaughanMayo
Trevor MortimerMayo
Kevin NolanDublin
Kevin CassidyDonegal
Emmet BoltonKildare
Tomás Ó SéKerry
Killian YoungKerry
Ger BrennanDublin
Midfielders
Bryan SheehanKerry
Michael Darragh MacauleyDublin
Alan O'ConnorCork
Seán CavanaghTyrone
John DoyleKildare
Denis BastickDublin
Half Forwards
Ben BrosnanWexford
Alan BroganDublin
Darran O'SullivanKerry
Declan O'SullivanKerry
Paul FlynnDublin
Alan DillonMayo
Kevin McManamonDublin
Paddy KellyCork
Eamonn CallaghanKildare
Full Forwards
Donnacha O'ConnorCork
Michael MurphyDonegal
Bernard BroganDublin
Colm CooperKerry
Andy MoranMayo
Colm McFaddenDonegal
Eoin BradleyDerry
Diarmuid ConnollyDublin
Cillian O'ConnorMayo
County-by-County Breakdown
Dublin 12, Kerry 9, Donegal 7, Mayo 5, Kildare 5, Cork 3, Tyrone 2, Wexford 1, Derry 1.
