Donegal’s ten hopefuls eye All-Star recognition at RDS in Dublin this evening

Donegal will be hoping to end the year on a high with ten PcW All-Star nominees set to travel to the RDS, Dublin on Friday night. 

15 players will be honoured at the gala event with Footballer of the Year and Young Footballer of the Year awards also set to be handed out. 

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This year’s football shortlist features a 45-man lineup. Sixteen of the nominees have been here before, while five of last year’s All-Stars, Peadar Mogan (Donegal), Craig Lennon (Louth), John Maher (Galway), Oisín Conaty (Armagh) and Rob Finnerty (Galway) all chasing back-to-back honours.

The nominations were chosen by a panel of GAA journalists from across print, broadcast, and digital media, chaired by GAA president Jarlath Burns.

Jim McGuinness’ All-Ireland finalists Donegal lead the way with those 10 nominations, narrowly ahead of champions Kerry on nine. 

Armagh and Meath have five each, followed by Monaghan, Louth, and Galway with three apiece. Dublin and Tyrone earned two spots each, while Mayo, Down, and Derry claimed one nomination each.

Among the headline names is Kerry’s David Clifford, who could make history as the first player to win Footballer of the Year three times, having already taken the title in 2022 and 2023. 

Clifford faces stiff competition from Kingdom teammate Joe O’Connor and Donegal’s Michael Murphy, who came out of retirement this season to inspire his county’s run to the All-Ireland final.

The Young Footballer of the Year shortlist includes Armagh’s Oisín Conaty, Donegal’s Finnbarr Roarty, and Galway’s Matthew Thompson.

In goals, Kerry’s Shane Ryan, Monaghan’s Rory Beggan, and Armagh’s Ethan Rafferty are the leading contenders. 

The battle for defensive honours is fierce, with 18 players competing for six spots. Kerry’s Brian Ó Beaglaíoch, Jason Foley, Gavin White, and Michael Breen all make the list, alongside Donegal’s Brendan McCole, Finbarr Roarty, Peadar Mogan, Ciarán Moore, and Ryan McHugh. 

Meath’s resurgent season is recognised with nominations for Ciarán Caulfield and Seán Rafferty, while the remaining contenders include Jarly Óg Burns and Ross McQuillan (Armagh), Niall Devlin and Kieran McGeary (Tyrone), Craig Lennon (Louth), Dessie Ward (Monaghan), and Jack Coyne (Mayo).

Midfield sees six players in contention: Michael Langan (Donegal), Joe O’Connor (Kerry), Odhran Murdock (Down), Conor Glass (Derry), John Maher (Galway), and Dublin’s Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne.

Up front, the forward line, as usual, looks set to spark the biggest debate. Kerry’s star trio of David Clifford, Paudie Clifford, and Seán O’Shea headline the attack, joined by Donegal’s quartet of Michael Murphy, Conor O’Donnell, Shane O’Donnell, and Ciaran Thompson. 

Meath trio Mathew Costello, Jordan Morris, and Ruairi Kinsella are also rewarded for their attacking prowess.

Elsewhere, Armagh’s Rory Grugan and Oisín Conaty, Louth’s Sam Mulroy and Ryan Burns, and Galway duo Rob Finnerty and Matthew Thompson all feature among the nominees. 

Rounding out the list are Monaghan’s Michael Bannigan and Dublin great Ciarán Kilkenny, still among the country’s most consistent performers with eight All-Ireland titles under his belt.

Meanwhile, Donegal legend Pauric McShea - a replacement All-Star in 1973 who played in San Francisco against Cork - says he hopes the selection committee don’t “fudge” the issue when it comes to Finnbarr Roarty and his double nomination. 

The Naomh Conaill teenager is up for Young Footballer of the Year as well as an outright All-Star gong. 

But in years gone by, players that pick up the YFOTY are often denied a place on the overall 15 to accommodate another. 

“It will also be a special weekend for Finnbarr. Not only has he the All-Stars function to get ready for, but he is also in Ulster Club SFC action for Naomh Conaill on Sunday as they take on Scotstown in Clones. 

“On Friday night, before all of that, he is in contention for an All-Star award and is also nominated for Young Footballer of the Year. 

“I do hope that history does not repeat itself, as far as Donegal players in the past are concerned, when it comes to the result of the selectors’ decisions. 

“Back in 2010, Michael Murphy was also nominated for both an All-Star and Young Footballer of Year. 

“In 2014, Ryan McHugh found himself in the same situation as Finnbarr and Michael. And while both picked up the Young Footballer gong, neither Donegal man got the outright All-Star that they clearly deserved. 

“So I hope in Finnbarr’s case that history doesn’t repeat itself on Friday night. While winning the Young Footballer of the Year award is a very special achievement, it is not the achievement that winning an All-Star is”.