GPA FOOTBALL TEAM OF THE YEAR: THE OPEL Gaelic Players Association football team of the year has been announced with just three changes from the All Star selection.
Of course the process is different, with a committee chaired by former Donegal footballer Martin McHugh selecting three players in each position before the GPA membership votes on the most deserving candidate.
There doesn’t appear to be any overly controversial omissions although Tadhg Kennelly, who distanced himself from comments in his autobiography now attributed to his ghost writer, Scotty Gullan, that he intentionally struck Nicholas Murphy in the All-Ireland final, loses out to Pearse O’Neill at centre forward but the Cork man also made the All Star team. Cork’s right-wing forward Paddy Kelly makes this team but not the All Stars.
Marc Ó Sé’s fellow players have preferred him over Kildare corner-back Karl Lacey with the Lillywhites veteran midfielder Dermot Earley the only representative from outside All-Ireland finalists Cork and Kerry.
Kerry top the list with eight players, while Cork have six.
There are no Ulster names in the team with Stephen O’Neill losing out to new St Kilda recruit Tommy Walsh – the Kerry man recently signed a two-year professional deal with the Melbourne AFL club.
Paul Galvin and Tomás Ó Sé have been nominated for footballer of the year with that announcement, along with hurler of the year, to be revealed at the GPA awards night this Friday in Dublin’s Citywest Hotel.
Each player chosen receives a trophy, €2,500 and a set of gear. The chosen hurler and footballer of the year receive an Opel vehicle valued at €25,000.
“Congratulations to the 15 winners who have been recognised by their fellow players for their contribution to the 2009 season,” said McHugh.
“On the football committee, we selected who we felt were the three most deserving nominees for each position and the players then had the final say.
“While competition for some positions was obviously fierce it is a unique and wonderful achievement to be honoured by your peers.”
Dessie Farrell, chief executive of the GPA added: “The dominance of Cork and Kerry was the feature of this year’s championship and this is reflected in the Opel GPA Football Team of 2009.
“I would like to congratulate the winners chosen by the players but I know the 15 players selected will be the first to point to the quality of the nominees battling for each position as well as the contribution of their team-mates throughout the year.”
