Kerry's James O'Donoughue, Dublin's Diarmuid Connolly and Donegals Neil Mc Gee have been shortlisted for the Opel GPA footballer of the year award. Donegals' Ryan Mc Hugh, Galway's Shane Walsh and Donegal's Paddy Mc Brearty have been nominated for the young player prize. In the nomination list Kerry lead the way with 11 and are followed by beaten All-Ireland finalists Donegal who, along with Dublin, earn nine. Connacht champions Mayo receive six and Monaghan's season is acknowledged by the inclusion of four of their players on the short list of 45. The inclusion of representatives from Armagh (two), Tipperary, Derry, Cork and Galway (all one each) mean no fewer than ten counties feature on this year's nominations list.
and the nominee's are
Goalkeepers
Paul Durcan (Donegal), Rory Beggan (Monaghan), Stephen Cluxton (Dublin).
Full backs
Fionn Fitzgerald (Kerry), Keith Higgins (Mayo), Éamonn McGee (Donegal), Neil McGee (Donegal), Andy Mallon (Armagh), Rory O'Carroll (Dublin), Philip McMahon (Dublin), Paul Murphy (Kerry), Drew Wylie (Monaghan).
Half backs
Aidan O'Mahony (Kerry), Peter Crowley (Kerry), James McCarthy (Dublin), Frank McGlynn (Donegal), Dessie Mone (Monaghan), Jonny Cooper (Dublin), Colin O'Riordan (Tipperary), Colm Boyle (Mayo), Lee Keegan (Mayo).
Midfield
Neil Gallagher (Donegal), Michael Darragh Macauley (Dublin), Odhrán MacNiallais (Donegal), Anthony Maher (Kerry), David Moran (Kerry), Séamus O'Shea (Mayo)
Half forwards
Johnny Buckley (Kerry), Diarmuid Connolly (Dublin), Paul Flynn (Dublin), Aidan O'Shea (Mayo), Ryan McHugh (Donegal), Michael Murphy (Donegal), Donnchadh Walsh (Kerry), Shane Walsh (Galway), Mark Lynch (Derry).
Full forwards
Kieran Donaghy (Kerry), Paul Geaney (Kerry), Conor McManus (Monaghan), Cillian O'Connor (Mayo), James O'Donoghue (Kerry), Brian Hurley (Cork), Kevin McManamon (Dublin), Tony Kernan (Armagh), Paddy McBrearty (Donegal)..
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