The official Opel Gaelic Team of the Year for Football for 2006 has been announced today by the Gaelic Players Association. The team reflects the most successful counties in this year's championship, with 15 players hailing from six different counties - Kerry, Dublin, Mayo, Armagh, Cork and Fermanagh. All-Ireland champions Kerry have six representatives - Marc Ó Sé, Tom O'Sullivan, Seamus Moynihan, Aidan O'Mahony, Darragh Ó Sé and Kieran Donaghy, while losing All-Ireland finalists Mayo have three players included - Alan Dillon, Ciaran McDonald and Conor Mortimer. The six remaining places on the 2006 Opel Gaelic Team of the Year for football are filled by three Dublin players - Stephen Cluxton, Bryan Cullen and Alan Brogan, Armagh's Ronan Clarke, Cork's Nicholas Murphy and Fermanagh player Barry Owens. Commenting on the announcement, Chairman of the Football Selection Committee, John O' Mahony, said: "Selecting the nominations for these awards was really difficult after such an absorbing conclusion to the championship. Perceptions can change over the course of a single game yet I am happy that the team chosen by the GPA membership reflects well on the football season. It is particularly rewarding to see footballers honoured by their peers. Congratulations to all the winners and commiserations to the runners-up, particularly those who lost out by a small amount of votes. I am delighted to have been involved in the Opel Gaelic Players Awards this year and look forward to the players' celebration at the GPA's Gala Night next week." Dessie Farrell, Chief Executive of the Gaelic Players' Association said, "The inaugural Opel Gaelic Team of the Year reflects really well on a growing GPA membership and its ability to help shape the future of Gaelic Games. Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to all the members who voted and I am confident that this unique awards scheme will go from strength to strength. Outside of an All-Ireland medal, I know of no other accolade I would rather have than the acknowledgement of fellow players so I hope that all the winners will cherish their 2006 award." Dave Sheeran, Managing Director, Opel Ireland, said, "I am delighted to reward the Opel Gaelic Team of the Year for their achievements during the course of the championship. It is great to see their peers acknowledge these fifteen individuals' contributions on and off the pitch. I look forward to meeting them, along with the Opel Gaelic Team of the Year for Hurling, in Citywest on November 10th". The 2006 Opel Gaelic team of the Year for Football in full consists of: 1. Stephen Cluxton (Dublin) 2. Marc Ó Sé (Kerry) 3. Barry Owens (Fermanagh) 4. Tom O'Sullivan (Kerry) 5. Seamus Moynihan (Kerry) 6. Bryan Cullen (Dublin) 7. Aidan O'Mahony (Kerry) 8 Nicholas Murphy (Cork) 9. Darragh Ó Sé (Kerry) 10. Alan Dillon (Mayo) 11. Alan Brogan (Dublin) 12. Ciaran McDonald (Mayo) 13. Conor Mortimer (Mayo) 14. Kieran Donaghy (Kerry) 15. Ronan Clarke (Armagh) Tweet

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