2012 GAA GPA All Stars sponsored by Opel

The GAA and the GPA in conjunction with sponsors Opel are delighted to announce the 2012 GAA GPA Hurling All-Stars sponsored by Opel.

2012 GAA GPA Hurling All-Stars sponsored by Opel

Goalkeeper

1. Anthony Nash (Cork)

Full back line

2. Paul Murphy (Kilkenny)

3. JJ Delaney (Kilkenny)

4. Fergal Moore (Galway)

Half back line

5. Brendan Bugler (Clare)

6. Brian Hogan (Kilkenny)

7. David Collins (Galway)

Midfield

8. Iarla Tannian (Galway)

9. Kevin Moran (Waterford)

Half forward line

10. TJ Reid (Kilkenny)

11. Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny)

12. Damien Hayes (Galway)

Full forward line

13. John Mullane (Waterford)

14. Joe Canning (Galway)

15. David Burke (Galway)

Beaten All-Ireland finalists Galway have secured six places on the 2012 GAA GPA All-Stars Hurling team sponsored by Opel.

2012 All-Ireland champions Kilkenny have received five positions with Henry Shefflin landing his 11th award having been named at centre forward.

Galway’s haul sees them represented in every line of the field bar goalkeeper, a slot occupied by Cork’s Anthony Nash.

Only two other counties are included in the line-up with Clare represented at right half back by Brendan Bugler and Waterford occupying one of the two midfield berths through Kevin Moran and a corner forward position through John Mullane.

In total there are eight first time winners. They are Anthony Nash, Fergal Moore, Brendan Bugler, David Collins, Iarla Tannian, Kevin Moran, TJ Reid and David Burke.

The individual awards for 2012 were also presented at this evening’s banquet at the Convention Centre in Dublin. They were as follows:

Footballer of the Year – Karl Lacey, Donegal

Young Footballer of the Year – Cillian O’Connor – Mayo

Hurler of the Year- Henry Shefflin, Kilkenny

Young Hurler of the Year – Johnny Coen, Galway

The final awards of the evening were presented to the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher hurlers.

The three champions teams are listed below.

Christy Ring Champion 15 Award Recipients

London – Brian Costello, Jonathan Maher, Eddie Walsh, Ger Fennelly

Wicklow – Eamonn Kearns, Jonathan O’Neill, Ronan Keddy

Down – Paul Braniff, Conor Woods

Meath – Willie Mahady, Steven Clynch

Kildare – Mark Moloney

Derry – Alan Grant

Mayo – Donal O’Brien

Kerry – Paud Costello

Nicky Rackard Champion 15 Award Recipients

Armagh – Paul Gaffney, Kieran McKernan, Conor Corvan, Ciaran Clifford

Louth – Shane Fennell, Brian Corcoran, Donagh O’Sullivan

Donegal – Ardal McDermott, Lee Henderson

Roscommon – Sean Melia, Brian Donnelly

Monaghan – Brian McGuigan,  Trevor Hilliard

Sligo – Damien Burke, Jamie Kenny

Lory Meagher Champion 15 Awards

Tyrone – Justin Kelly, John Devlin, Sean Óg Grogan, Conor Grogan

Fermanagh – Ryan Bogue, John Duffy, Sean Corrigan

Leitrim – Clement Cunniffe, Kevin McGrath, Patrick McManus

Warwickshire – David Neylon, Mike Ivors, Kieran Courtney

Longford – John Newman, Ciarán Finucane

The player of the year awards for these competitions were as follows:

Christy Ring Brian Costello (London)

Nicky Rackard Paul Gaffney (Armagh)

Lory Meagher Sean Óg Grogan (Tyrone)

All of these awards were presented this evening at the annual All-Star banquet.

The GAA and the GPA in conjunction with sponsors Opel are delighted to announce the 2012 GAA GPA Football All-Stars sponsored by Opel.

2012 GAA GPA Football All-Stars sponsored by Opel

Goalkeeper

1. Paul Durcan (Donegal)

Full back line

2. Neil McGee (Donegal)

3. Ger Cafferkey (Mayo)

4. Keith Higgins (Mayo)

Half back line

5. Lee Keegan (Mayo)

6. Karl Lacey (Donegal)

7. Frank McGlynn (Donegal)

Midfield

8. Neil Gallagher (Donegal)

9. Aidan Walsh (Cork)

Half forward line

10. Paul Flynn (Dublin)

11. Alan Dillon (Mayo)

12. Mark McHugh (Donegal)

Full forward line

13. Colm O’Neill (Cork)

14. Michael Murphy (Donegal)

15. Colm McFadden (Donegal)

2012 All-Ireland champions Donegal lead the way with eight awards on this year’s GAA GPA All-Stars awards, sponsored by Opel. The county’s outstanding campaign sees them represented in every line of the field. Beaten All-Ireland finalists Mayo have been awarded four and there are also positions for Cork (2), and Dublin (1). There are 10 first time winners in this year’s selection as Paul Durcan, Ger Cafferkey, Keith Higgins, Lee Keegan, Frank McGlynn, Neil Gallagher, Mark McHugh, Michael Murphy, Colm McFadden and Colm O’Neill are all included.

Donegal’s haul sees them beat their previous best of seven back in 1992 when the father and uncle of Mark McHugh, Martin and James, were both selected. The McHugh father and son combination sees the family join an illustrious band of father/son recipients which includes Liam/Kevin O’Neill, Pat/Paddy Reynolds, Dermot/Dermot Earley, Frank/Brian McGuigan, Bernard/Alan and Bernard Brogan, Tim/Tadhg Kennelly. Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Liam Ó Néill lauded the efforts of those who made the final cut and congratulated them on the achievement. He said: “After the honour of winning an All-Ireland medal I know how much store our players place on winning these awards. They acknowledge individual excellence and are accolades that are cherished long after playing days end. “I heartily congratulate those who have made the selection and I hope it inspires them to challenge for future honours both as individuals but also as team players. “A special word of thanks is also due to Dessie Farrell and the GPA as this joint scheme in its second year continues to go from strength to strength.  “Thanks also to Opel and their Ireland MD Dave Sheeran and our selection panels which is comprised of journalists.”

GPA Chief Executive Officer Dessie Farrell added: “Congratulations to the 15 footballers chosen on this year’s GAA GPA All-Star team sponsored by Opel. “While players understand the importance of the collective effort of a team it is nonetheless a very prestigious honour for the individual footballer to be recognised for his consistent contribution to that effort during the season. Unsurprisingly the selection is dominated by Donegal after their extraordinary year which yielded the county’s second All-Ireland in most impressive fashion. “I’d like to thank our sponsors Opel and in particular MD of Opel Ireland, Dave Sheeran, for his generous support of the awards scheme. Thanks also to Liam Ó Néill, Páraic Duffy and the GAA for their efforts in ensuring the continued success of the GAA GPA All-Stars. “Also thanks to the committee of journalists for carrying out the difficult work of selecting the 2012 Football Team and for putting forward the nominees for the Player of the Year awards which will be chosen by the players and announced on tomorrow night’s (Friday) live broadcast on RTÉ television.”

Dave Sheeran MD Opel Ireland said: “We in Opel are very proud of our association with Gaelic games and we are absolutely delighted to honour the 2012 GAA GPA All-Star Football All-Stars, sponsored by Opel. “Congratulations to all 15 footballers on their outstanding performances during the season and for winning this highly valued accolade. We look forward to meeting the team and announcing the All-Star Footballer of the Year at the Awards Gala Night in the Convention Centre Dublin, tomorrow night (Friday).”

Football

The GAA and the GPA in conjunction with sponsors Opel are delighted to name the following 45 players as nominees for 2012 GAA GPA All-Star Football Awards sponsored by Opel.

Nominees 2012 GAA GPA Football All-Stars sponsored by Opel

Goalkeepers: David Clarke (Mayo); Stephen Cluxton (Dublin); Paul Durcan (Donegal).

Full Backs: Eoin Cadogan (Cork); Ger Cafferkey (Mayo); Keith Higgins (Mayo); Donal Keogan (Meath); Eamon McGee (Donegal); Neil McGee (Donegal); Paddy McGrath (Donegal); Rory O’Carroll (Dublin); Michael Shields (Cork).

Half backs: Emmet Bolton (Kildare); Colm Boyle (Mayo); Adrian Flynn (Wexford); Lee Keegan (Mayo); Karl Lacey (Donegal); Frank McGlynn (Donegal); Kevin Nolan (Dublin); Michael Quinn (Longford); Anthony Thompson (Donegal).

Midfielders: Neil Gallagher (Donegal); Rory Kavanagh (Donegal); Barry Moran (Mayo); Aidan O’Shea (Mayo); Brendan Quigley (Laois); Aidan Walsh (Cork).

Half Forwards: Paul Barden (Longford); Alan Dillon (Mayo); Paul Flynn (Dublin); Paul Kerrigan (Cork); Michael Darragh Macauley (Dublin); Mark McHugh (Donegal); Kevin McLoughlin (Mayo); Graham Reilly (Meath); Ciarán Sheehan (Cork).

Full forwards: Bernard Brogan (Dublin); Jamie Clarke (Armagh); Colm Cooper (Kerry); Conor Laverty (Down); Colm McFadden (Donegal); Andy Moran (Mayo); Michael Murphy (Donegal); Donncha O’Connor (Cork); Colm O’Neill (Cork).

The county by county breakdown is as follows: Donegal (12), Mayo (10), Cork (7), Dublin (6), Meath (2), Longford (2), Armagh (1), Down (1), Kildare (1), Kerry (1), Laois (1), Wexford (1).

The final team of 15 players will be selected on Wednesday, October 24.

Nominations for Footballer of the Year

Karl Lacey (Donegal)

Colm McFadden (Donegal)

Frank McGlynn (Donegal)

Nominations for Young Footballer of the Year

Donal Keogan (Meath)

Paddy McBrearty (Donegal)

Cillian O’Connor (Mayo)

Note: The Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year will be selected by the inter-county playing body.

Ard Stiúrthóir Páraic Ó Dufaigh said: “I am delighted to congratulate the 45 players named today as nominees for the GAA GPA Football All-Stars 2012 sponsored by Opel. Each one deserves his place recognising the excellent campaigns they had and the contribution they made to our action packed championship this year. “I would also like to take this opportunity to thank our sponsors Opel, the GPA, players and the support of the media for their respective roles in the process.”

GPA Chief Executive Dessie Farrell added: “I’d like to congratulate everyone involved in this year’s outstanding football championship. Competition continues to intensify reflecting the enormous dedication of our players. We’re once again looking forward to seeing the final GAA GPA Football All-Stars team selection. I’d like to thank the selection committee and wish them luck with their deliberations and wish all the nominees the very best.”

Dave Sheeran MD Opel Ireland said: “Opel are very proud to be associated with Gaelic Games and the All Stars Awards. We are also proud to support the games at a grass roots level through our Opel Kit for Clubs programme which supports clubs across the country helping to be the stars of tomorrow, today! I’d like to congratulate all those shortlisted for an All Star in 2012 and look forward to seeing the final 15 later this month.”