It's that time of the year again - no sooner are the destinations of Liam McCarthy and Sam Maguire decided than thoughts turn to the All Stars. The Sunday Game panellists got the ball rolling on the nights of the respective All-Ireland finals, while journalists and analysts in the press and other media have followed suit. So before the awards proper are announced later this month, here are my hurling and football teams of 2012:
- Anthony Nash (Cork) - admirably stepped up into Donal Óg Cusack's shoes and also contributed on the scoreboard
- Paul Murphy (Kilkenny) - has very quickly established himself as the best corner-back in the country
- J.J. Delaney (Kilkenny) - his absence in the Leinster final demonstrated that his movement into the full-back line is now in the team's best interest
- Fergal Moore (Galway) - as captain he led by example and will be forever remembered as the first Galway man to lift the Bob O'Keeffe Cup
- David Collins (Galway) - the former Young Hurler of the Year finally got the opportunity to deliver on his promise this year
- Brian Hogan (Kilkenny) - another dominant season for the lynchpin of the Cats' defence
- Johnny Coen (Galway) - stormed onto the scene in the Leinster final and has a huge future
- Iarla Tannion (Galway) - reinvented as a midfielder and enjoyed a new lease of life
- Kevin Moran (Waterford) - collected the man of the match award despite being on the losing side in the Munster final and had his best season to date
- David Burke (Galway) - his successful conversion into a forward was a masterstoke by Anthony Cunningham
- Henry Shefflin (Kilkenny) - just how great is the man who almost single-handedly dragged a great team onto further greatness
- Pa Bourke (Tipperary) - has successfully stepped up to assume responsibility as his side's marksman-in-chief
- TJ Reid (Kilkenny) - came of age this season while others around him struggled for consistency
- Joe Canning (Galway) - the prince that would be king almost led his county to the promised land
- John Mullane (Waterford) - again soldiered bravely and selflessly for love of county
- Paul Durcan (Donegal) - didn't put a foot wrong all year
- Ger Cafferkey (Mayo) - a natural full-back who's as comfortable under the high ball as facing it
- Neil McGee (Donegal) - carried on from where he left off last year dominating most opponents that he faced
- Keith Higgins (Mayo) - arguably there's no Mayo man more deserving of that elusive All-Ireland medal than their wonderfully reliable and consistent defender
- Frank McGlynn (Donegal) - got on the scoresheet on no fewer than five occasions and was defensively oustanding
- Karl Lacey (Donegal) - the driving force behind this Donegal team and a worthy 'Player of the Year'
- Mark McHugh (Donegal) - the critical cog in the system who seemed to pop up all over the field
- Neil Gallagher (Donegal) - bossed the midfield in the games that really mattered
- Aidan Walsh (Cork) - has added a greater composure to his game which has seen him contribute on the scoreboard
- Kevin McLoughlin (Mayo) - has emerged as a real consistent and dependable performer
- Alan Dillon (Mayo) - kept quiet in the final but was Mayo's outstanding forward again this year
- Paul Flynn (Dublin) - one player whose performance levels did not drop in 2012
- Colm O'Neill (Cork) - has returned from a second cruciate knee ligament injury better and stronger
- Michael Murphy (Donegal) - sacrificed his own game for the greater good before his MOTM display in the final
- Colm McFadden (Donegal) - a model of consistency who delivered in each and every game
0 comments:
Post a Comment