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Armagh players make up almost a quarter of the 45-strong nomination list and there is expected to be plenty of first-time All-Stars with the likes of McCambridge, goalkeeper Blaine Hughes, defender Aaron McKay, midfielder Ben Crealey and attacker Conor Turbitt in pole position to make the final 15. All-Ireland finalists Galway pick up eight nominations – although there will be some surprise that just Liam Silke, Dylan McHugh and Johnny McGrath were selected from their miserly defence – while the Footballer of the Year gong could be heading west with Paul Conroy and John Maher both nominated. McHugh is a surprise absentee from the trio of contenders for Footballer of the Year trio having been favourite prior to their All-Ireland final loss while McGrath also represents Galway for the Young Player of the Year award – capped at players aged 22 or under – where he will duke it out with Armagh attacker Oisín Conaty and Donegal defender Ciarán Moore.
Ulster champions Donegal earned seven nominations – including four in defence – while Dublin midfielder Brian Fenton is one of four representatives from Dessie Farrell’s side as the Raheny clubman seeks a seventh All-Star. David Clifford, already a five-time All-Star and 2022/’23 Footballer of the Year, maintains the feat of being nominated in each of the seven seasons which he has been involved while older brother Paudie, himself a three-time All-Star, is also nominated again among four hopefuls for Munster kingpins Kerry. A hugely impressive season for Ger Brennan’s Louth, who made it all the way to the last eight, is also rewarded with a quartet of nominations as Craig Lennon and Donal McKenny are shortlisted in defence.
Midfielder Tommy Durnin and ace attacker Sam Mulroy also vie to follow in the footsteps of Paddy Keenan, the Wee county’s sole All-Star in 2010. Mayo veteran Aidan O’Shea and forward colleague Ryan O’Donoghue are also nominated along with the Roscommon pair of Brian Stack and Diarmuid Murtagh as 11 different counties are represented in total. While Cork didn’t make it past the All-Ireland group stages, Daniel O’Mahony has been rewarded for his displays in defence while Darragh Canavan also earned a nomination in attack despite Tyrone’s early exit.
The All-Star selection committee consists of a panel of GAA journalists from across, print, radio, TV and digital media with the final 15 in both hurling and football set to be unveiled at a special banquet in the RDS on Friday, November 1 – the 140th anniversary of the GAA’s formation. Blaine Hughes (Armagh), Shaun Patton (Donegal), Niall Morgan (Tyrone). Aaron McKay, Barry McCambridge, Aidan Forker, Paddy Burns (all Armagh); Peadar Mogan, Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonagle, Brendan McCole (all Donegal); Johnny McGrath, Dylan McHugh, Liam Silke (all Galway); Craig Lennon, Donal McKenny (both Louth); Brian Ó Beaglaioch, Tom O’Sullivan (both Kerry); Seán Bugler (Dublin), Brian Stack (Roscommon), Daniel O’Mahony (Cork).
Niall Grimley, Ben Crealy (both Armagh); Michael Langan (Donegal), Brian Fenton (Dublin), Tommy Durnin (Louth), Paul Conroy (Galway) Rian O’Neill, Conor Turbitt, Oisin Conaty, Rory Grugan (all Armagh); Cillian McDaid, John Maher, Rob Finnerty, Shane Walsh (all Galway); David Clifford, Paudie Clifford (both Kerry); Con O’Callaghan, Cormac Costello (both Dublin); Ryan O’Donoghue, Aidan O’Shea (both Mayo), Oisín Gallen (Donegal), Darragh Canavan (Tyrone), Sam Mulroy (Louth), Diarmuid Murtagh (Roscommon) Barry McCambridge (Armagh), Paul Conroy (Galway), John Maher (Galway) Oisín Conaty (Armagh), Johnny McGrath (Galway), Ciarán Moore (Donegal).
