As the All-Ireland Football final approaches and Dublin aim to make history by winning Five-in-a-row, we also come closer to seeing what players make the All-Star team. Usually, the All-Stars are made up of finalists and one, or two stand-out players from other counties.
However, there's always a couple of players who miss out solely on the basis that their county didn't make it far enough in the Championship. So we've decided to put our own All-Star panel together, made up totally of players outside of Kerry and Dublin.
Manager: Kieran McGeeney
Goalkeeper
Shaun Patton (Donegal) - Had close to a 100% record from kick-outs in most of the games, good shot-stopper, essential to Donegal's game-plan all year and will become a key figure in years to come for Declan Bonner.
Full Back
Keith Higgins (Mayo) - Pips Meath's Conor McGill to the post. Higgins was his usual reliable self throughout the qualifiers and showed real quality against Donegal on the final day of the Super 8s.
Stephen McManaman (Donegal) - Stepped up to the mark this year for Donegal. With Neil McGee and Paddy McGrath both suffering injuries, McManaman became a key figure in the backline.
Ronan McNamee (Tyrone) - Tyrone’s best defender. No argument.
Half Back
Donal Keogan (Meath) - A strong argument to be made that he gets an actual All-Star this year. He was a key figure in Meath's improvement this year. His bursts forward were not unlike Karl Lacey in 2012 (Yes, I'm using another Donegal reference)
Stephen Coen (Mayo) - Only 23-years-old but didn't seem it this year. Put in some really strong performances this year.
Ryan McHugh (Donegal) - Man of the Match on a couple of occasions for Donegal this year. There wouldn't be many half-back lines in the country he wouldn't make it into.
Midfield
Aidan O’Shea (Mayo) - Pivotal for Mayo all year. Stood up when it counted against Donegal.
Jarlath Og Burns (Armagh) - Really impressed in the Ulster Championship, going to be a big figure for Armagh over the next few years.
Half-forward
Martin Reilly (Cavan) - 32 years of age, became the main man for Cavan this season. Played almost like a number ten in soccer. Linked defence and attack brilliantly.
Rian O’Neill (Armagh) - Top scorer in the Ulster Championship despite and early-ish exit. Scored 3-21 in Championship football, a good return for any forward.
Michael Murphy (Donegal) - Potential Player of The Year had Donegal made it through the Super 8s. An impressive summer even by his standards.
Full-forward
Conor Cox (Roscommon) - Scored 29 points this season. Roscommon's best forward throughout the Championship. Struggled in the Super 8s, but was key to their provincial triumph.
Cathal McShane (Tyrone) -The top scorer in Championship this year with 3-48. Tyrone's main man this season, which was probably their downfall in many ways. Stop McShane and you stop Tyrone, that says a lot about his form.
Brian Hurley (Cork) - Not in the top scorers but added so much to Cork this year, played as a target man inside, great to watch driving at defenders.
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