Where it’s a close call between two guys and one has played maybe 14/15 games and the other just four or five, l will go all day long with the guy with the bigger involvement over a sustained period of time.
I have taken into account the workload on players and the great shifts they have put in for their counties all year.
My Team of the Year
1. Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)
2. Michael Fitzsimons (Dublin)
3. Ronan McNamee (Tyrone)
4. Tom O'Sullivan (Kerry)
5. Donal Keogan (Meath)
6. Paddy Durcan (Mayo)
7. Jack McCaffrey (Dublin)
8. Brian Fenton (Dublin)
9. Michael Murphy (Donegal)
10. David Clifford (Kerry)
11. Sean O'Shea (Kerry)
12. Brian Howard (Dublin)
13. Paul Mannion (Dublin)
14. Cathal McShane (Tyrone)
15. Con O'Callaghan (Dublin)
Player of the Year
Con O'Callaghan
Simply majestic at times and unplayable for the most part.
His enhanced physical conditioning was pretty amazing – his sheer strength as an inside forward wrecked havoc, and coupled with his sultry skills he was untouchable at times.
His assists were many – he’s such a good team player. His finishing belied his years, particularly against Mayo in the semi-final.
He’s a human wrecking ball who frightened the living daylights out of every defence he faced.
And believe it or not, l still think he will get better. If there was a transfer market out there, now he’d be number one on my list.
Priceless to Dublin’s future.
Young Player of the Year
Sean O'Shea
Young O'Shea was simply superb throughout the whole year from start to finish.
His leadership qualities were remarkable. His incredible work-rate and his constant and selfless tackling back for the cause in every game swung it for me.
He literally ran himself to a standstill in every game. His free-taking technique is scary, it’s that good.
In time, this guy will become one of the greatest all-round gaelic football players to grace the game.
Watch this space.
Point of the Year
Conor Cox (Roscommon)
There were many stand-out points but none as good as his outrageous point against Galway on June 16.
Cox had no right to even get a shot away – he was surrounded right on the end line, 10 metres from the touchline and, on the wrong side, leaning back, he stroked the most stunning shot you could wish to see with outside of his left boot between the posts.
l marvelled at the brilliance and audacity of it.
Goal of the Year
James Carr (Mayo)
Carr just beats Dublin pair Jack McCaffrey and Eoin Murchan with his breathtaking individual effort in the big game against Galway in Limerick on July 6.
Out on the right hand sideline, some 60 yards from goal, he set off on the most fabulous, dynamic, marauding run that left a handful of Galway defenders in his wake.
Jinking right and left at full speed, he finished with a rocket of a shot into the far top corner of the net. It was the vital goal in Mayo’s victory.
Saddest moment of the Year
This went under the radar a little as it came in the All-Ireland final week, the announcement of Andy Moran’s retirement.
This wonderfully dedicated, wholehearted leader finished up without an All-Ireland winner’s medal, having lost all six finals he played in.
That’s heartbreaking, but no medal can do justice to what this outstanding corner-forward gave to the game over a career that spanned 15 years.
On form he was an artist at work. Mayo will not see the likes of him for a long time to come, if ever again.
His attitude and commitment was incredible and on and off the field, he is a great role model for every young kid in Mayo.
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