Football All Stars 2012

Fr Tod Umptious

Ok with the lull between the semi-finals and the football final I though it may be time to start a discussion on the possible make-up of the football All Stars

The majority will come from Donegal and Mayo, with a scattering from Dublin and Cork and then the odd one from the rest, but I doubt there will be anyone from outside the quarter-finalists

From a Mayo point of view I think Barry Moran is a certainty at mid-field.
McLoughlin, Dillion and Cillian O' Conor are also in with a great shout, as is David Clark in goals.
I am not sure about Andy Moran, he may get one if Mayo win the All Ireland, but his absence since half way through the QF may hamper his chances.
As for backs I can see Donegal dominating them but there will be at least one Mayo man back there also, probably Higgins but I would not rule out Keane.

Oh and for Player of the Year, depending on their performances in and the outcome of the final I think it could be between McLoughlin and Dillion

MaroonAndGreen

Well the goalkeeper will be decided by whoever wins the final.

Then there is McGlynn, Higgins in the full back line. (Nearly dead certs IMO)

Lacey is guaranteed a half back All Star. Mark McHugh here too, if he is named at half back or half forward as an All Star I dont know, but he will get one anyway.

Barry Moran is almost certain at midfield.

Alan Dillon will get an All Star. As will McFadden in the forwards. Colm O'Neill is a possible, as is Paul Kerrigan, and Michael Dara MacAuley (for midfield too).

The rest will be decided on result of the final, and how players perform in the final.

MaroonAndGreen

Oh and Player Of The Year will be between Lacey, McHugh, McFadden, Dillon and maybe McLoughin. Whoever wins the final and performances in the final will again decide this award.

Realistically you need to wait until after the finals in both codes are played to call it.

Rough Breakdown off: 5 for the winners, 4 for the runners up, 4 for the beaten semi finalists and then you have two extra for outstanding contributions up to the 1/4's or to distribute between the finalists.

You could only really pick the Cork/Dublin players so far, the other 9 odd places are still well up for grabs.

Fireball07

Clarke, Higgins, Moran, Dillon, McLaughlin for Mayo...I'd say Andy Moran is unlikely now. Conroy is a possibility if he does well in the final, same with a couple of backs.

For Donegal- McHugh, Lacey, McFadden are certainties. I'd have Durcan behind Clarke now but the final could swing that. McGlynn has had a good year...the thing about Donegal is that because the team is so solid, individuals stand out less.

McAuley and Flynn have been comfortably Dublin's best players imo.

Colm O'Neill should get one for Cork, Aidan Walsh did well enough too but could have strong competition.

Don't think Kerry, Kildare, Down or Laois really deserve any- the Laois keeper was very good but can't see him getting one



Poor Ian Ryan won't get one because of Emmet Bolton's last minute point Despite being completely unplayable, absolutely outstanding individual performances from him.

Smartly Dressed

Frank McGlynn, Karl Lacey, Mark McHugh and Colm McFadden dead certs for Donegal. I think Paul Durcan will probably get one as well if Donegal win in the final.

harpsman

1 Clarke
2 McGlynn
3 Cafferkey
4 Cadogan
5 Lacey
6
7
8 Gallagher
9 Moran
10 McHugh
11
12 Dillon
13 McFadden
14
15 C ONeill

Thats my 2 cents,provisionally. Would like to see Murphy have a big final. Think he deserves an all star. But would settle for Sam;)

castletownman

Seanie Johnstone?

But in all seriousness, provisionally speaking I'd have:

1 David Clarke
2 Frank McGlynn
3 Colm Cafferkey
4 Keith Higgins
5 Mark McHugh
6 Karl Lacey
7 ??
8 Neil Gallagher
9 Barry Moran
10 Kevin McLoughlin
11 Paul Flynn
12 Ryan Bradley
13 Colm McFadden
14 Alan Dillon
15 Colm O'Neill

A bit of switching of positions to fit in everybody. Breakdown (with one position viod): Mayo 6 Donegal 6, Cork 1, Dublin 1. Honourable mentions to Michael Dara McCauley, Lee Keegan, Adrian Flynn (won't got a nomination but deserves one for scoring 0-5 points from wing-back in one game alone), Eoin Cadogan, Aidan Walsh, Ian Ryan, Paul Kerrigan and Paudie Kissane

blowitupref

1 Paul Durcan - Donegal
2 Frank McGlynn - Donegal
3 Ger Cafferkey - Mayo
4 Keith Higgins - Mayo
5 Mark McHugh - Donegal
6 Karl Lacey - Donegal
7 Kevin Nolan - Dublin
8 Neil Gallagher - Donegal
9 Barry Moran - Mayo
10 Paul Flynn -Dublin
11 Alan Dillion - Mayo
12 Michael Darragh Mcauley - Dublin
13 Kevin McLoughlin - Mayo
14 Colm McFadden - Donegal
15 Colm O'Neill - Cork

Player of the year - Karl Lacey
Young player of the year - Patrick McBrearty
Top scorer - Colm McFadden

MaroonAndGreen

blowitupref wrote: »

1 Paul Durcan - Donegal
2 Frank McGlynn - Donegal
3 Ger Cafferkey - Mayo
4 Keith Higgins - Mayo
5 Mark McHugh - Donegal
6 Karl Lacey - Donegal
7 Kevin Nolan - Dublin
8 Neil Gallagher - Donegal
9 Barry Moran - Mayo
10 Paul Flynn -Dublin
11 Alan Dillion - Mayo
12 Michael Darragh Mcauley - Dublin
13 Kevin McLoughlin - Mayo
14 Colm McFadden - Donegal
15 Colm O'Neill - Cork

Player of the year - Karl Lacey
Young player of the year - Patrick McBrearty
Top scorer - Colm McFadden

You could be very close there I think

cgpg5

Hard to pick all stars yet. A lot will depend on final. My own pick for POTY though is Ger Cafferky although Lacey is not far off. No way cafferky will get it but he's been unbelievable imo

And to think Mayo have struggled so much at full back in recent times

YPOTY between COC and McBrearty. the latter will prob get it as COC got it last year

corny

blowitupref wrote: »

1 Paul Durcan - Donegal
2 Frank McGlynn - Donegal
3 Ger Cafferkey - Mayo
4 Keith Higgins - Mayo
5 Mark McHugh - Donegal
6 Karl Lacey - Donegal
7 Kevin Nolan - Dublin
8 Neil Gallagher - Donegal
9 Barry Moran - Mayo
10 Paul Flynn -Dublin
11 Alan Dillion - Mayo
12 Michael Darragh Mcauley - Dublin
13 Kevin McLoughlin - Mayo
14 Colm McFadden - Donegal
15 Colm O'Neill - Cork

Player of the year - Karl Lacey
Young player of the year - Patrick McBrearty
Top scorer - Colm McFadden

Nolans done little to deserve that.

I know he's been playing corner back but i'd give the 7 jersey to Cadogan. Failing that, the Laois half backs were excellent in the 2 games i saw them.

Hammer Archer

Still gutted that Donal Keoghan was injured against Laois. I think had we made it to the quarter finals, he would have been a shoe in for an All Star having kept both Johnny Doyle and Kevin McManamon quiet.
Maybe it's just me, but has McAuley done enough at half forward to deserve an All Star?

cgpg5

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Still gutted that Donal Keoghan was injured against Laois. I think had we made it to the quarter finals, he would have been a shoe in for an All Star having kept both Johnny Doyle and Kevin McManamon quiet.
Maybe it's just me, but has McAuley done enough at half forward to deserve an All Star?

Ahead of McGlynn and Higgins? Zero chance.

MDMA should def get one imo

theoneeyedman

Hard to see the media's favourite Cluxton not getting one, whether deserved or not. Apart from Mccauley IMO its hard to argue for any Dub to make it, but i'd still say they will get a minimum of 2 and possibly 3. Colm O'Neill should get one for cork, while aiden walsh was a probable before getting destroyed in the semi.

Hard to call Donegal/Mayo players until the final is over.

Hammer Archer

cgpg5 wrote: »

Ahead of McGlynn and Higgins? Zero chance.

MDMA should def get one imo

Zero chance??? You obviously didn;t see his performances. He was unreal against both Kildare and Dublin and was equally impressive against Laois until he went off injured.

cgpg5

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Zero chance??? You obviously didn;t see his performances. He was unreal against both Kildare and Dublin and was equally impressive against Laois until he went off injured.

I don't care if he won those games on his own he still wouldn't be near Higgins or McGlynn who both had outstanding seasons

And I did see the Dublin and Laois games he's a young lad who's had a good breakthrough year but feel free to put him ahead of two genuine contenders for POTY

TheGoldenAges

Paul Flynn has to get one, think MDMA will get one too. If anyone deserves one though for Dublin is Rory O'Carroll, brilliant defender and played well when others around him faultered this year

cgpg5

TheGoldenAges wrote: »

Paul Flynn has to get one, think MDMA will get one too. If anyone deserves one though for Dublin is Rory O'Carroll, brilliant defender and played well when others around him faultered this year

He deserves one over Cafferky, Higgins and McGlynn? Come on he's had a good year yes but that full back line has been mighty

TheGoldenAges

cgpg5 wrote: »

He deserves one over Cafferky, Higgins and McGlynn? Come on he's had a good year yes but that full back line has been mighty

Not saying he deserves one over them but he's been in my eyes Dublins best player this year, just a pity he plays in a position with rivals from other counties that excel

Tom Joad

Would definitely agree that Paul Flynn should get one - has been outstanding all year. Full back positions won't be settled until after final imo..

Hammer Archer

cgpg5 wrote: »

I don't care if he won those games on his own he still wouldn't be near Higgins or McGlynn who both had outstanding seasons

And I did see the Dublin and Laois games he's a young lad who's had a good breakthrough year but feel free to put him ahead of two genuine contenders for POTY

Whereabouts did I put him ahead of them??
Feel free to keep putting words in my mouth.

Padkir

cgpg5 wrote: »

He deserves one over Cafferky, Higgins and McGlynn? Come on he's had a good year yes but that full back line has been mighty

Agree with this, full back line will be a mix of Mayo and Donegal, bar one or more of them getting a roasting in the final!

Probably guilty of missing a good few games this year to get a good feel from the lesser teams but in my opinion no-one outside of the semi-finalists will get one (and probably wouldn't deserve to)

My 15 (some out of position but ignore!) would be:

1. David Clarke
2. Frank McGlynn
3. Ger Cafferkey
4. Keith Higgins / Kevin Keane (most likely Higgins)
5. Donal Vaughan
6. Karl Lacey
7. Eoin Cadogan
8. Barry Moran (bad game in the final and it could go to MDMA / Aidan Walsh)
9. Neil Gallagher
10. Kevin Mcloughlin
11. Alan Dillon
12. Mark McHugh
13. Colm O'Neill
14. Cillian O'Connor
15. Colm McFadden

8 Mayo
5 Donegal
2 Cork

If Donegal beat Mayo you could have scope to change O'Connor to Murphy if he plays well, Paddy McGrath or Ryan Bradley in...

A lot to be decided based on the final but definitely (and thoroughly deserved) at least 10-12 will come from the finalists.

wow sierra

theoneeyedman wrote: »

Hard to see the media's favourite Cluxton not getting one, whether deserved or not. Apart from Mccauley IMO its hard to argue for any Dub to make it, but i'd still say they will get a minimum of 2 and possibly 3. Colm O'Neill should get one for cork, while aiden walsh was a probable before getting destroyed in the semi.

Hard to call Donegal/Mayo players until the final is over.

Can't give it to Cluxton - unless you want to give it to him in the forwards - the constant praise for his free taking deflects from his disribution from his kick outs and his organisation of his defence, which I think the keeper should concentrate on.

cgpg5

Hammer Archer wrote: »

Whereabouts did I put him ahead of them??
Feel free to keep putting words in my mouth.

Very well. If they had beaten Laois you reckon he'd have been a shoe in. In what way would he have made the team ahead of them in that instance?

Hammer Archer

cgpg5 wrote: »

Very well. If they had beaten Laois you reckon he'd have been a shoe in. In what way would he have made the team ahead of them in that instance?

It would have depended on his performance in the quarter final if we had been lucky enough to beat Laois. I feel quality performances against the likes of Kildare, Dublin and Laois would outweigh those against the likes of Leitrim, Sligo and Down (no offence to them) in the case of Higgins. I probably wouldn't have had him ahead of McGlynn.
It's all ifs and buts though. We lost to Laois and Keoghan got injured, and as a result, it's almost certain that both McGlynn and Higgins will desevedly get All Stars.
Apologies if I riled you up, but it is my view that had we gone a little further in the championship and Keoghan had stayed injury free, he would have been hard to overlook at corner back. All I hope is that he returns as good next season.

DARK-KNIGHT

castletownman wrote: »

Seanie Johnstone?

But in all seriousness, provisionally speaking I'd have:

1 David Clarke
2 Frank McGlynn
3 Colm Cafferkey
4 Keith Higgins
5 Mark McHugh
6 Karl Lacey
7 ??
8 Neil Gallagher
9 Barry Moran
10 Kevin McLoughlin
11 Paul Flynn
12 Ryan Bradley
13 Colm McFadden
14 Alan Dillon
15 Colm O'Neill

A bit of switching of positions to fit in everybody. Breakdown (with one position viod): Mayo 6 Donegal 6, Cork 1, Dublin 1. Honourable mentions to Michael Dara McCauley, Lee Keegan, Adrian Flynn (won't got a nomination but deserves one for scoring 0-5 points from wing-back in one game alone), Eoin Cadogan, Aidan Walsh, Ian Ryan, Paul Kerrigan and Paudie Kissane

Now if your gonna slag Johnston at least be clever enough to get the spelling of his name correct!! It turns your post from being clever slagging a player to your post looking stupid because of your spelling!!!

It always annoys to see people saying most allstars go to finalists or semi finalists tbh better individuals might not have a great squad to play with!!

Agree with hammer too that f'ing Meath man was savage against us!!

Flynn for Dublin is a shoe in for me fantastic work rate.

Clarke for the number 1 position...

Only player Kildare have that have half a chance of an allstar is Bolton but I doubt it!

stdidit

Tom Joad wrote: »

Would definitely agree that Paul Flynn should get one - has been outstanding all year. Full back positions won't be settled until after final imo..

Flynn has been excellent, but Dillon and McLoughlin are shoe-ins for the half forward line imo leaving one place between Flynn and McAuley so he may miss out as I cant see McAuley getting one of the midfield spots.

blowitupref

Reading back i think i'll get most of the All stars right.

cgpg5

My own prediction

Clarke

McGlynn
Cafferky
Higgins

Nolan
Lacey
McHugh

Gallagher
Moran

McLoughlin
Dillon
Flynn

O'Neill
McFadden
? Really can't call here.

Dirty Dingus McGee

I think the all stars are becoming a bit pointless.All that you need to do is be on a team who gets to the final and play well in the semi and final.They really should reflect the entire years football and i would be inclined to think that the All Star team should be done away with and they should name an all star panel of 24 players which would reflect the years football more accurately.Have no nominations and just name a 24 man all star panel.John Galvin who has been the countrys third best midfielder this century ended up without an all star because his county havent been successful, other players have been similarly snubbed.Michael Quinn from Longford wont get close to an award despite being outstanding this year

unknown13

I think Dublin will get three I wouldn't be surprised if MDMA got it in midfield, (its the All Stars surprises are too common). Flynn deserves one no doubt. I think Dublin will get another one but hard to call where.

Donegal will get the most easily. They should end up with a minimum of six. Three in the back line, Gallagher in midfield & Mc Fadden and Murphy in the forwards. I think its between Durkan & Cluxton for the goalkeeper spot.

Mayo, Cork and another county will probably fill the rest of the spots.

cgpg5

unknown13 wrote: »

I think Dublin will get three I wouldn't be surprised if MDMA got it in midfield, (its the All Stars surprises are too common). Flynn deserves one no doubt. I think Dublin will get another one but hard to call where.

Donegal will get the most easily. They should end up with a minimum of six. Three in the back line, Gallagher in midfield & Mc Fadden and Murphy in the forwards. I think its between Durkan & Cluxton for the goalkeeper spot.

Mayo, Cork and another county will probably fill the rest of the spots.

I really personally don't agree but I've no doubt that he'll actually get one!

Hammer Archer

Durkin will probably get the keeper spot, but I'd give Clarke a decent chance as well. If Cluxton gets yet another All Star, then I give up. He's been relatively poor this season.

stop animal cruelty

michael murphy is a hottie :O

Kojak

cgpg5 wrote: »

I really personally don't agree but I've no doubt that he'll actually get one!

Up until the AI final, I thought that Murphy was quite poor actually. deserving MOTM recipiant for the final, but not an All-Star imo. The only problem is that there hasn't been that many stand out performances from forwards this year (mcFadden apart). Mayve Cillian o'Connor could possibly get an award?

Tom Joad

Clarke - Mayo

McGlynn - Donegal
O' Carroll - Dublin
Higgins - Mayo

Cadogan - Cork
Lacey - Donegal
McHugh - Donegal

Gallagher - Donegal
Moran - Mayo

McLoughlin - Mayo
Dillon - Mayo
Flynn - Dublin

O' Connor - Mayo
McFadden - Donegal
Murphy - Donegal

Fireball07

Tom Joad wrote: »

Clarke - Mayo

McGlynn - Donegal
O' Carroll - Dublin
Higgins - Mayo

Cadogan - Cork
Lacey - Donegal
McHugh - Donegal

Gallagher - Donegal
Moran - Mayo

McHugh - Donegal
Dillon - Mayo
Flynn - Dublin

O' Connor - Mayo
McFadden - Donegal
Murphy - Donegal

You gave McHugh 2 there...he's been good but not that good

I assume you meant McLoughlin?

JessePinkman

Clarke - Mayo

Higgins - Mayo
McGee - Donegal
McGlynn - Donegal

McHugh - Donegal
Lacey - Donegal
Cadogan - Cork

Moran - Mayo
Gallagher - Donegal

McLoughlin - Mayo
Dillon - Mayo
Flynn - Dublin

McFadden - Donegal
McAuley - Dublin
Murphy - Donegal


All four provincial winners represented which is usually the case

Donegal - 7
Mayo - 5
Dublin - 2
Cork - 1

Fr Tod Umptious

unknown13 wrote: »

I think Dublin will get three I wouldn't be surprised if MDMA got it in midfield, (its the All Stars surprises are too common). Flynn deserves one no doubt. I think Dublin will get another one but hard to call where.

Donegal will get the most easily. They should end up with a minimum of six. Three in the back line, Gallagher in midfield & Mc Fadden and Murphy in the forwards. I think its between Durkan & Cluxton for the goalkeeper spot.

Mayo, Cork and another county will probably fill the rest of the spots.

No way would MDMA get an All Star above Gallagher or Moran, same with Cluxton, he did nothing to deserve one this year, Durkin will probably get in, 2 goals against Mayo in the final will not help Clarke's cause.

Tom Joad

Fireball07 wrote: »

You gave McHugh 2 there...he's been good but not that good

I assume you meant McLoughlin?

Nah - gave his da one too.

Yeah good spot - it is monday morning.. fixed now

cgpg5

Kojak wrote: »

Up until the AI final, I thought that Murphy was quite poor actually. deserving MOTM recipiant for the final, but not an All-Star imo. The only problem is that there hasn't been that many stand out performances from forwards this year (mcFadden apart). Mayve Cillian o'Connor could possibly get an award?

Ya the problem with the all stars is that in a dodgy call like that they'll most likely give it to Murphy (All Ireland winner). If Mayo had only one or two other players maximum that were likely to get one then O'Connor would be given the nod but since they'll have a few, he won't if you know what I mean

aidan24326

theoneeyedman wrote: »

Hard to see the media's favourite Cluxton not getting one, whether deserved or not.

How exactly would Cluxton be a 'media darling'?? No player avoids the media more than Cluxton.

He's simply a very good goalkeeper who also happens to be a damned good freetaker aswell just to put icing on the cake. He won't get an all-star though, the goalkeeping award almost always goes to the team that wins the All-Ireland.

blowitupref

aidan24326 wrote: »

How exactly would Cluxton be a 'media darling'?? No player avoids the media more than Cluxton.

He's simply a very good goalkeeper who also happens to be a damned good freetaker aswell just to put icing on the cake. He won't get an all-star though, the goalkeeping award almost always goes to the team that wins the All-Ireland.

Apart from the times Cluxton won most of his

theoneeyedman

Considering the fact that donegal targetted Alan Dillon yesterday by attacking his position through Karl Lacey, I don't think he deserves an all star. But as a concept, IMO the all-star scheme is a relic of the past and nothing more than an opprtunity for sponsors and blazers to get a jolly and their picture in the paper.

blowitupref

theoneeyedman wrote: »

Considering the fact that donegal targetted Alan Dillon yesterday by attacking his position through Karl Lacey, I don't think he deserves an all star. But as a concept, IMO the all-star scheme is a relic of the past and nothing more than an opprtunity for sponsors and blazers to get a jolly and their picture in the paper.

Dillon didn't have his best game yesterday however he played well in all the other games including the league and deserves all-star.

This will be Karl Lacey's 4th all-star in 6 years and it looks like he'll cap it off with player of the year now.

cgpg5

How many nominations are there for POTY? My five would be McLoughlin, Lacey, Gallagher, McGlynn and Cafferkey with Lacey winning. Three I'd leave out McGlynn and it would be a close call between Cafferkey and Gallagher.

YPOTY should go to McBrearty, he was poor enough yesterday by his standards but so was O'Connor and he'd never get it twice in a row

Tom Joad

Have to be Lacey for player of the year for me. No one else has come close tbh..

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

POTY nominations will be 3 of Lacey, McFadden, Higgins, McHugh and Dillon. The first 3 are the one's who I think will get them, and hopefully Lacey will get the actual award. It's between him and McFadden anyway.

cgpg5

THFC wrote: »

POTY nominations will be 3 of Lacey, McFadden, Higgins, McHugh and Dillon. The first 3 are the one's who I think will get them, and hopefully Lacey will get the actual award. It's between him and McFadden anyway.

Forgot McFadden tbh. McL has been Mayo's best player so a bit criminal if he's not in shortlist

And Cafferkey has had a slightly better year than Higgins he was an animal v Sligo and Down and was solid v Dub and Donegal. very underrated player. FB has been a real problem position for Mayo in recent years.

McHugh not a good enough footballer to be considered for player of the year imo but definitely merits an all star.

That's not to say there won't be a silly inclusion of sorts!

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

cgpg5 wrote: »

Forgot McFadden tbh. McL has been Mayo's best player so a bit criminal if he's not in shortlist

And Cafferkey has had a slightly better year than Higgins he was an animal v Sligo and Down and was solid v Dub and Donegal. very underrated player. FB has been a real problem position for Mayo in recent years.

McHugh not a good enough footballer to be considered for player of the year imo but definitely merits an all star.

That's not to say there won't be a silly inclusion of sorts!

Forgot completely about McLoughlan, I still think Higgins would get in there ahead of him, he was better for the semi & final which is all this panel seem to look at. Think Higgins has been slightly better than Caff myself.