2015 Footballer Of The Year.

ProudDUB · 04-08-2015 12:58am #1

So then, who is it going to be?

So far, the usual suspects....Cooper, O'Shea, Brogan, Connolly... all have their hands up. But is there a dark horse that will come from the back? McManus, McBrearty, someone I'm forgetting?

Still up in the air imo, with no real front runner, the way that there was last year with JO'D

Place your bets now folks !

shrewdness · 04-08-2015 1:01am

David Moran should have a big chance imo.

Nidgeweasel · 04-08-2015 1:15am

Funny, was thinking about this today.

There is no stand out candidate thus far, if you look at last year JOD had it sown up in July. He lit up the championship to be fair to him and these awards tend to favour attacking/flair players, Neil McGee had an extremely strong claim
otherwise even from early on. Haven't had that this year.

There's been plenty of debate over Michael Murphy and Diarmuid Connolly this year but I'm not sure if either can lay a claim to being footballer of the year at present.

One suspects it'll be whichever player catches fire now for the last 2/3 games and drags their team to Sam or a final. It's set up for Aidan O Shea I think, he's gotten the early plaudits and a lot of publicity with the move to full forward so he's already in the consciousness, a few more performances out of him and it'd be hard to pass him by for it.

Out of everyone so far I'd probably give it to Moran but I do enjoy a good midfielder so I'm biased.

Whats the bookies say on it?

Fireball07 · 04-08-2015 1:28am

I genuinely think McManus has been the best footballer in the country so far. The most big performances in actual tight games. Moran would be next for me.

But nobody has been so much better that it won't go to the All-Ireland winning team. So it makes McManus a little bit less likely as Monaghan have a good few tough games to get through before they win it.

Moran, Murphy, O'Shea, Connolly probably the standouts from their teams.

Fireball07 · 04-08-2015 1:32am

Diarmuid Connolly- 9/4
David Moran- 5/2
James O'Donoghue- 11/2
Aidan O'Shea- 7/1
Bernard Brogan- 9/1
Michael Murphy- 10/1
Colm Cooper- 10/1
Conor McManus- 16/1
Paul Flynn- 16/1
Ciaran Kilkenny- 22/1
Jack McCaffrey- 28/1
Peter Harte- 33/1
Cillian O'Connor- 33/1
Paddy McBrearty- 40/1
Sean Cavanagh- 50/1

ProudDUB · 04-08-2015 1:33am

Top 5 according to PP.

http://www.paddypower.com/bet/gaa-football/all-ireland-sfc?ev_oc_grp_ids=1007817

Connolly
Moran
JO'D
O'Shea
Brogan

It hasn't been updated since Saturday, so I'd say JO'D has dropped down in the rankings, given his injury.

The thing about O'Shea is that he generally always comes into this time of year, with a lot of plaudits swirling around him. Think Mayo would have to actually win the AI, for him to get it. Or for Mayo to make it to a final, with him playing brilliantly & all of the other contenders playing poorly. What are the odds of that happening?

shrewdness · 04-08-2015 2:13am

ProudDUB wrote: »

Top 5 according to PP.

http://www.paddypower.com/bet/gaa-football/all-ireland-sfc?ev_oc_grp_ids=1007817

Connolly
Moran
JO'D
O'Shea
Brogan

It hasn't been updated since Saturday, so I'd say JO'D has dropped down in the rankings, given his injury.

The thing about O'Shea is that he generally always comes into this time of year, with a lot of plaudits swirling around him. Think Mayo would have to actually win the AI, for him to get it. Or for Mayo to make it to a final, with him playing brilliantly & all of the other contenders playing poorly. What are the odds of that happening?

Pretty sure those are the odds after the Kerry and Dublin games. JOD may drift more yet, but he was a clear second favourite behind Connolly last week while the likes of Moran, Brogan, Gooch and Murphy were all longer odds.

I think the likes of McManus has drifted also, but then a Monaghan win this weekend with a big performance from him would shorten them again.

Dirty Dingus McGee · 04-08-2015 5:15am

Definitely won't be O'Donoghue unless he has a brilliant semi final and potentially final.He's been good but no more than that so far.

Connolly,Moran and McManus are the 3 in form players in the country at the moment.

DDC1990 · 04-08-2015 8:30am

McManus, O'Shea and Moran for me.

Connolly has shown flashes of brilliance and Bernard Brogan has been scoring great tallies.

I'll never stop banging this drum but Donnacha Walsh is incredible. Not flashy enough for POTY, but his importance to Kerry is second to none.

He is the best foot passer in the country, and his brain is on another level spotting runners inside.

Take a look at All the Team of the Week selections and he's nowhere to be seen.

Likewise Anthony Maher. Because Moran is so good next to him, Maher is somewhat overshadowed. His dominance in the air, footballing intelligence, and sublime foot passing make up for his somewhat wayward shot taking. Look at his passes for Gooch's second goal and O'Brien's goal. Beautiful stuff.

keane2097 · 04-08-2015 9:04am

David Moran obv

Boom__Boom · 04-08-2015 10:10am

DDC1990 wrote: »

McManus, O'Shea and Moran for me.

Connolly has shown flashes of brilliance and Bernard Brogan has been scoring great tallies.

I'll never stop banging this drum but Donnacha Walsh is incredible. Not flashy enough for POTY, but his importance to Kerry is second to none.

He is the best foot passer in the country, and his brain is on another level spotting runners inside.

Take a look at All the Team of the Week selections and he's nowhere to be seen.

Likewise Anthony Maher. Because Moran is so good next to him, Maher is somewhat overshadowed. His dominance in the air, footballing intelligence, and sublime foot passing make up for his somewhat wayward shot taking. Look at his passes for Gooch's second goal and O'Brien's goal. Beautiful stuff.

In the first game against Cork it was Moran and Sheehan midfield and when Moran was black-carded Maher came on.

In the replay Moran and Maher started together and there was a world of difference.

I'd go as far as saying that starting Sheehan midfield ahead of Maher in the first Cork game was the single worst decision of Fitmzurice's management career.

homerjay2005 · 04-08-2015 10:22am

shrewdness wrote: »

David Moran should have a big chance imo.

sensational player.

Poor_old_gill · 04-08-2015 10:55am

How can Connolly be in contention at this stage? He has kicked a few nice points from distance under no pressure.

It terms of match impact he is behind:
Moran, Murphy, Quigley, O Shea, McManus, etc.

I dont doubt that he is an excellent footballer and one of the most talented in the country but there seems to be a blurring of the lines here (similar to last year) as the award isn't for the best player- it's for the best performer.

He may well prove me wrong and be the key man who helps Dublin win a 3rd AI in quick succession- and if he does then he will deserve it.

DoctaDee · 04-08-2015 10:56am

The AI winner takes it irrespective of whether it's merited or not. The obvious exception was Bernard in 2010 not even making the final.

deadybai · 04-08-2015 11:06am

I think Brogan should be ahead of Connolly this year. Thought Connolly hasnt been as good in the last two games. Brogan has been immense all year.

For League and Championship performances it has to be David Moran. He has been unbelievable from midfield and he is one lad I wouldnt like to get a tackle from.

Conor Mcmanus and AOS are my other two who should be in contention. If O'Donoghue hadn't won it last year he'd be up there but I cant see it happening unless hes goes scoring crazy in the last two games.

corny · 04-08-2015 11:10am

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

How can Connolly be in contention at this stage? He has kicked a few nice points from distance under no pressure.

It terms of match impact he is behind:
Moran, Murphy, Quigley, O Shea, McManus, etc.

I dont doubt that he is an excellent footballer and one of the most talented in the country but there seems to be a blurring of the lines here (similar to last year) as the award isn't for the best player- it's for the best performer.

He may well prove me wrong and be the key man who helps Dublin win a 3rd AI in quick succession- and if he does then he will deserve it.

In fairness to him he's been MOTM twice I think. People may question the opposition but you still have to perform to expose said opposition. He's done that.

For what its worth Jack McCaffrey has been Dublins best player. But a half back isn't going to win unless its clear cut. Which it isn't.

Too early anyway. Good performance in semi or final wins it for anyone really.

shrewdness · 04-08-2015 11:19am

DoctaDee wrote: »

The AI winner takes it irrespective of whether it's merited or not. The obvious exception was Bernard in 2010 not even making the final.

Stevie McDonnell in 2003, Canavan in 95 too I think? It's rare but it does happen.

tanko · 04-08-2015 11:21am

Surely Frank Mcglynn is up there with the best of them.

Stoner · 04-08-2015 11:48am

Lol so all the Kerry lads think Moran is the best player. It's always the same lads picking their own county players.:)

I think it will most likely come form the winning team again. The player will have at least have to have made it to the semi finals and played well in it.

It think AOS could win it if he makes the final and plays well even if they lose it.

Moran is the only Kerry candidate atm and a very strong one at that, he should do the businesses againat Monaghan but Lennon is going well this year again.

Don't think Dublin or Donegal have a stand out performer, but obviously that could all change over two or three games just like JOD or Gooch could nail it going forward.

One thing for McManus, he's the only one to have done the businesses against a top team in the championship this year, no disrespect to Cork or Moran but he won't win player of the year for beating Kildare even though he was class, Kildare had already received many hidings this year.

I still think that if it played out that AOS made it to the final having won against Donegal and Dublin and if they met Kerry if he played well he'd get it as it would be the toughest path to follow, the Donegal lads would have that on their side too
I'm going for AOS his performance against Sligo was as impressive/one sided as anything we've seen , Kerry are just a little fresher in our minds atm.
imho there is nobody else on that side of the draw its the toughest and the other candidates are all on the other side competing with each other.

seligehgit · 04-08-2015 11:59am

Moran for me at the moment is the most likely candidate.Conor McManus has been the stand out player thus far in the Championship but is maybe a little less likely to progress deeper into the championship.

Plenty of time for a Dublin player to step up to the plate,nobody has stood out as yet.Ditto a Donegal player could win POTY what with the extremely difficult half of the draw they have to navigate...Murphy,McNiallas,Gallagher.

I think Aidan O Shea will have to put in an epic final performance if Mayo fall at the final hurdle.

MattB11 · 04-08-2015 1:35pm

McManus has stood out most for me, but I can't see Monaghan making the AI final and as has been already said the winner will most likely come from a finalist so I think it'll be between Moran and Connolly (I'd go with Moran)

snowgal · 04-08-2015 2:59pm

yea McManus or Moran for me. If McManus is as good in the next game I think win lose or draw he'd be in with a shout..

danganabu · 04-08-2015 3:14pm

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

How can Connolly be in contention at this stage? He has kicked a few nice points from distance under no pressure.

It terms of match impact he is behind:
Moran, Murphy, Quigley, O Shea, McManus, etc.

I dont doubt that he is an excellent footballer and one of the most talented in the country but there seems to be a blurring of the lines here (similar to last year) as the award isn't for the best player- it's for the best performer.

He may well prove me wrong and be the key man who helps Dublin win a 3rd AI in quick succession- and if he does then he will deserve it.

To be fair to Connolly and all of the Dublin players its pretty hard to have ''match impact'' when they havent been in a match yet. The championship is in essence only starting now so its far too early to be picking a player of the season.

keeponhurling · 04-08-2015 3:19pm

tanko wrote: »

Surely Frank Mcglynn is up there with the best of them.

I actually think McGlynn has slipped back a bit since previous years, and has resorted a fouling slighter more often.

Still a great player, but not a genuine POTY contender this year I would say

Poor_old_gill · 04-08-2015 3:21pm

danganabu wrote: »

To be fair to Connolly and all of the Dublin players its pretty hard to have ''match impact'' when they havent been in a match yet. The championship is in essence only starting now so its far too early to be picking a player of the season.

I agree- thats why I asked "How can he be in contention at this stage"

The winner will come from the winner- so I assume that's why people are suggesting Connolly. In reality and as things stand now- he shouldn't be under consideration for POTY

keeponhurling · 04-08-2015 3:27pm

For Connolly to win POTY, Dublin need to win Sam Maguire and he needs two massive games in the semi final and final.
Not impossible of course. But he'd need to almost be MOTM in both games to be even ahead of B.Brogan or McCaffrey.

Whereas Moran probably could win it with just one more big game. He's definitely ahead at the moment.

cj maxx · 04-08-2015 3:49pm

Think if murphy had two massive games i think he'd get poty . Means playing him at 14, as hes supposed to be injured ,which gallaher doesn't seem to like

ProudDUB · 04-08-2015 3:50pm

danganabu wrote: »

To be fair to Connolly and all of the Dublin players its pretty hard to have ''match impact'' when they havent been in a match yet. The championship is in essence only starting now so its far too early to be picking a player of the season.

Think you can say the same about O'Shea too. What "matches" have Mayo been in yet & what tests has O'Shea really had? If Mayo win at the weekend and he plays a major role, I think he will move into the top spot, ahead of even Moran.

Moran is having a great year, no doubt about it. But beating last years AI finalists in Croke Park is really something. Beating/drawing with an out of sorts Cork team (at home) & a Div 3 team, is not at the same level as what Mayo will achieve if they beat Donegal imo.

Slattsy · 04-08-2015 4:04pm

Yeah McManus ahead for me too, oozes class.

Then followed by the whole Dublin team. Then Moran.

Poor_old_gill · 04-08-2015 4:15pm

Slattsy wrote: »

Yeah McManus ahead for me too, oozes class.

Then followed by the whole Dublin team. Then Moran.

Surely Bernard Dunne is ahead of Moran aswell?
He was brought some serious lifestyle changes to the Dublin team???

Slattsy · 04-08-2015 4:37pm

Poor_old_gill wrote: »

Surely Bernard Dunne is ahead of Moran aswell?
He was brought some serious lifestyle changes to the Dublin team???

I used to be a member of one of his gyms myself, so he's not just made lifestyle changes to the Dublin team, but Dublin as a whole. Some man.

ColeTrain · 04-08-2015 4:44pm

Cillian O'Connor at 33/1 is a good price. If Mayo are going to the final this year he will have a massive say.

Stoner · 04-08-2015 6:30pm

Poor_old_gill wrote:

It terms of match impact he is behind: Moran, Murphy, Quigley, O Shea, McManus, etc.

I agree apart from Quigley, you are talking about impact and McManus has had real impact, had he not been available Monaghan would not still be in the running imho.
That's genuine impact imo
Dublin, Kerry, Mayo would all still be around without their candidates. They wound still have won, but most likely less impressively.

Murphy would be in a similar position to McManus, but not as much so far.

Nidgeweasel · 04-08-2015 6:44pm

keeponhurling wrote: »

I actually think McGlynn has slipped back a bit since previous years, and has resorted a fouling slighter more often.

Still a great player, but not a genuine POTY contender this year I would say

He's the best half back in the country for me.

He's had some great performances this year but Donegal are misfiring somewhat.

Alvin Holler · 04-08-2015 6:48pm

DoctaDee wrote: »

The AI winner takes it irrespective of whether it's merited or not. The obvious exception was Bernard in 2010 not even making the final.

I'm surprised the cork county board didn't mention that injustice in their press release.

Stoner · 04-08-2015 7:09pm

Nidgeweasel wrote:

He's had some great performances this year but Donegal are misfiring somewhat. He's the best half back in the country for me.

looked very good this year too popping up in places Lacey would normally.
Looking good for an all star anyway.
Jack McCaffery, has shown real significant improvement this year Dublins best player this year but no poty.

Connolly is riding on a bit of a rep imho. Having contributed so well in 2011 and 2013 without getting an all star, he was not liked he was as good then as he Is now, people are falling over themselves to give him recognition now similar happened with Galvin, having been hated it became cool to like him or at least his ability.

But you guys are right it's too early , I'll bow out till we've dropped some contenders.

DoctaDee · 04-08-2015 7:54pm

Alvin Holler wrote: »

I'm surprised the cork county board didn't mention that injustice in their press release.

LOL.. compounded by the fact they'd only 4 All Stars (iirc) into the bargain !

ProudDUB · 04-08-2015 8:22pm

Stoner wrote: »

looked very good this year too popping up in places Lacey would normally.
Looking good for an all star anyway.
Jack McCaffery, has shown real significant improvement this year Dublins best player this year but no poty.

Connolly is riding on a bit of a rep imho. Having contributed so well in 2011 and 2013 without getting an all star, he was not liked he was as good then as he Is now, people are falling over themselves to give him recognition now similar happened with Galvin, having been hated it became cool to like him or at least his ability.

But you guys are right it's too early , I'll bow out till we've dropped some contenders.

Would you g'way on outa 'dat. Idle speculation with shag all to back it up, IS WHAT THE INTERNET IS ALL ABOUT !!!!

Good point about Connolly. He does come with some baggage & it's taken time for some people to over look that and give him their vote. That being said, if he is to win it, I think that he needs a really big game (that Dublin win) where he definitively puts his mark on the game & his fingers prints are all over the win. For the entire game, not just spurts here and there. It doesn't even need to be in scoring goals or pts, as he plays too deep for that, but just over all influence. I don't think that he has done that at the semi final or final stage so far & they are the games that people pay most attention to. He was well on the way in the first 20 minutes of the semi final last year, but then the wheels fell off.

harpsman · 04-08-2015 8:25pm

DoctaDee wrote: »

LOL.. compounded by the fact they'd only 4 All Stars (iirc) into the bargain !

And one of those was Graham Canty despite being a complete passenger in the semifinal and final and Rory o carroll having an outstanding year. Having said that Donncha O Connor was robbed imo.

DoctaDee · 04-08-2015 8:37pm

harpsman wrote: »

And one of those was Graham Canty despite being a complete passenger in the semifinal and final and Rory o carroll having an outstanding year. Having said that Donncha O Connor was robbed imo.

Wow yeah that's true. There wasn't one Cork forward on that team. Paddy Keenan and Aidan Walsh were charity cases also that year tho in fairness to Walsh he shouldve won one in 2009

aidan24326 · 05-08-2015 1:27am

For me Aidan O'Shea has probably been the stand-out performer so far, followed closely by Moran, McManus and Brogan.

He tore Galway and Sligo apart but he hasn't done that at full forward against any of the big hitters yet, so we'll see what next Saturday brings. It will be interesting to see what Donegal will do to try and stop him, they will have a plan that's for sure and if Donegal are to win this game a stifled and subdued Aidan O'Shea will probably be part of the story.

snowgal · 05-08-2015 9:51am

aidan24326 wrote: »

For me Aidan O'Shea has probably been the stand-out performer so far, followed closely by Moran, McManus and Brogan.

He tore Galway and Sligo apart but he hasn't done that at full forward against any of the big hitters yet, so we'll see what next Saturday brings. It will be interesting to see what Donegal will do to try and stop him, they will have a plan that's for sure and if Donegal are to win this game a stifled and subdued Aidan O'Shea will probably be part of the story.

yea although he has been great in those games, you really cant take much of his display against a verrry poor Sligo team, any decent IC player should have been able to do the same as him. He still has it all to prove for me.....

Cheese Wagstaff · 05-08-2015 10:43am

If Donegal get to a semi-final or final, then Paddy McBrearty will have played a huge part in it. I feel he has really upped his game this year and is slowly becoming the complete forward. Scoring heavily used to be something he didn't excel at, but he has now cast aside all doubts of this being a weakness. I'd fancy him as a very outside, outside bet given that everyone will clamour to heap praise on Murphy whether he deserves it or not (should Donegal go far).

At the moment, I think Conor McManus has been peerless as the best player so far. I also would not rule out Gooch, who has still never won FOTY. He richly deserves that accolade, and it would not surprise me to see him get the nod if Kerry win Sam again this year.

DoctaDee · 05-08-2015 11:00am

Cheese Wagstaff wrote: »

..... I also would not rule out Gooch, who has still never won FOTY. He richly deserves that accolade, and it would not surprise me to see him get the nod if Kerry win Sam again this year.

Yeah this anomoly further blurs the lines of the award ....... especially people that feel the best footballer is derserving of the award - which is distinctly not the case see Gooch as the prime example, and even our own MDM who sorta saw the funny side to being FOTY in 2013

Redsoxfan · 05-08-2015 12:06pm

Gooch won a Texaco FOTY award in 2004 - these were the 'original' FOTY awards before the All Stars/GPA got involved.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texaco_Footballer_of_the_Year

Nidgeweasel · 05-08-2015 6:45pm

I don't think McManus has done any more or less than Murphy has for example.

Short price for an All-Star i'd say but cant see him getting FOTY.

cj maxx · 05-08-2015 10:42pm

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

I don't think McManus has done any more or less than Murphy has for example.

Short price for an All-Star i'd say but cant see him getting FOTY.

I think your right . Im a big fan of murphy but McManus's UF display has put him on a par with most of the other candidates . As others have said , its games from now on that be the making of POTY

keeponhurling · 06-08-2015 10:03am

Nidgeweasel wrote: »

I don't think McManus has done any more or less than Murphy has for example.

.

McManus outperformed Murphy in the Ulster final, and as a result his county are champions.
So I would have him ahead.

keane2097 · 06-08-2015 4:14pm

Murphy's lack of scores from play in the Ulster campaign was a shock to me.

He's basically been a midfielder up to last weekend, and while he's a good one he's not even Donegal's best player in that position.

Alvin Holler · 06-08-2015 6:35pm

keane2097 wrote: »

Murphy's lack of scores from play in the Ulster campaign was a shock to me.

He's basically been a midfielder up to last weekend, and while he's a good one he's not even Donegal's best player in that position.

Don't have the stats to hand but he's scored as much/little this year as in the previous 4 years in Ulster.

We lack good long kickers to get the ball into him in full forward which is why it's often best for him to be getting on ball out the field.

ProudDUB · 06-08-2015 11:40pm

Alvin Holler wrote: »

Don't have the stats to hand but he's scored as much/little this year as in the previous 4 years in Ulster.

We lack good long kickers to get the ball into him in full forward which is why it's often best for him to be getting on ball out the field.

That's all well and good, but the award isn't for who scores the most, or even who is the best or the most skillful player. I think most peoples definition of it (including the voters) would be that it tends to go to the player that had the most influence on his counties games that year. This year, Moran and Connolly are the front runners and they are not on their respective teams for their scoring prowess.

2015 Footballer Of The Year.

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