The 2016 Gaelic Football championship has concluded with Dublin retaining the All-Ireland title and now is the time for reflection.
The Sunday Game panel did just that during their final broadcast of the football championship with the seven heavyweight pundits listing their personal highpoints of the year.
Colm O'Rourke admitted to his disappointment in the senior championship and pointed to the three-in-a-row minor All-Ireland titles collected by Kerry.
Martin Carney highlighted the steely resolve of Cillian O'Connor who scored the equalising point in the drawn All-Ireland final. Ciaran Whelan applauded Dublin and Kerry for producing a superb display in the All-Ireland semi-final.
Dessie Dolan praised Sean Cavanagh's individual performance for Tyrone in the Ulster final while Tomás Ó Sé spoke of his admiration for Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton.
But it was Joe Brolly's preference that eclipsed all the others. Prefacing his choice, he said:
"There's a life outside Gaelic football. For us, the GAA is the beginning and the end and it's the tapestry of our lives."
He then went on to speak about the story of Shane Halligan, who is part of the Mayo backroom team.
"Last year, he was at death's door and then he received a lung transplant at the 11th hour and he's gone on to become the Mayo kit man. Every match when they're in Croke Park, I'd go down to see him and say hello to him."
"That transformation from death to life I think it's something very special. Gaelic football in the end is something that's just fun for us but that's serious business."
Brolly's involvement in this area is well documented and despite his often times inflammatory Sunday Independent columns, his passion for everyone's good health remains pure.
Joe brolly showing class with his moment of the year , your health is your wealth
— Eoghan Bermingham (@_Bermingham) October 1, 2016
Good point by Joe Brolly tonight for his moment of the year. There are more important things in life than football. #SaturdayGame #GAA
— Gillian Murphy (@Gill_Murphy) October 1, 2016
Not a fan of Joe but lovely moment of the year from Brolly... Putting things in perspective
— Karen Browne (@cairindebrun) October 1, 2016
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