Alternative All Stars - It's that time of the year again. The All Star selection never fails to stir debate among supporters. My alternative All Stars for 2007 will feature those players that did not make the first 15 in the GAA All Stars selection. Between these awards and the Opel GPA scheme it's fair to say there is a lot at stake for those fortunate enough to be nominated. Choosing the best 15 footballers of the year may sound straightforward in theory but when a group of people (expert or otherwise) sit down to decide, the process is far from simple. The time was when an All Star was selected for being the best player in that particular position. In other words you could only be selected in the position you played and no where else. The rules have since been altered so that the best 15 can now be honoured regardless of their preferred position. In 2005 I was the beneficiary of this when selected at number 11 despite the fact Brian Mc Guigan was by far the best centre half forward that season. This year it was Graham Canty and Stephen Bray that benefited - ending up wining awards in a position they never played. With the All Stars it is the media personnel that make the crucial decisions whereas it is the players themselves that decide the outcome of the Opel GPA awards. As I write the Opel GPA award winners have not been announced but I would be amazed if they come up with the same 15. There are two names in particular that I will expect to see winning a GPA All Star - Kieran Donaghy and Conor Gormley. In my opinion these were the two glaring omissions from the GAA selection. In Donaghy's case I am convinced that Kerry would not have won this year's championship without his input. Kerry were put to the wire on three different occasions this year - Cork (Munster final), Monaghan and Dublin. In the closing stages of the Munster final it was Donaghy who stood up and was largely responsible for halting the Cork comeback. His kick from the left wing to put Kerry ahead that day was one of the scores of the year. Against a very determined Monaghan Kerry would not have won the game if it were not for Declan O'Sullivan's goal. The origin of the goal emanating from the threat of Donaghy. Two Monaghan defenders jumped with Donaghy leaving O'Sullivan free to slam in the match winning goal. With regard to the Dublin game Kerry were in danger of being over run until they brought Donaghy out to midfield. His ability to win possession and to use it intelligently provided Kerry with the platform they needed. Donaghy's play in the All Ireland final spoke for itself only being surpassed by the peerless Gooch. Big Kieran's performances may not have been as eye catching as last year. Many pundits suggested that Donaghy would not be able to cope with the rigours of being a marked man in 2007. This was not the case. His presence has been invaluable to this Kerry team and his performances this year have reflected a greater maturity and someone with a better understanding of the game. His inclusion in the GPA All Stars will not necessarily come at Paddy Bradley's expense. Bradley, like these past few years, was outstanding and his award has not come before time. Likewise only Tommy Freeman and the Gooch can count themselves as certainties. The other notable absentee from the selection was Conor Gormley. My views may originate from a slightly biased perspective but anyone attending Tyrone games this year were left in no doubt he was their most consistent player and was one of the main reasons why Tyrone ended this year as Ulster champions. Conor lined out in most of the games at centre back his preferred position but did not always remain there. When Kerry were in danger they utilised Donaghy to great effect by moving him to midfield. Likewise when Tyrone were showing frailties at the back it was envitably Gormley they called on to curb the threat. When comparing Gormley's performances to defenders from other counties it is worth noting that Gormley's high standard was achieved by marking no ordinary forwards but usually the opposition's most prolific player. This will not have gone unnoticed by his peers and I'm sure his efforts will be rewarded with a GPA Opel Award. For the players themselves, there will be initial disappointment at not receiving an elusive award but at the end of the day it comes nowhere near an All Ireland or indeed a provincial medal. The beauty about the All Stars is the debate that it generates - everyone has an opinion. As if to prove this I would have no difficulty picking a second fifteen to challenge the All Star selection. 1. Brendan Murphy (Meath) 2. Karl Lacey (Donegal) 3. Darren Fay (Meath) 4. Pauric Reidy (Kerry) 5. Johnny Davey (Sligo) 6. Conor Gormley (Tyrone) 7. Gary Mc Quaid (Monaghan) 8. Sean Cavanagh (Tyrone) 9. Nicholas Murphy (Cork) 10. Rory Kavangh (Donegal) 11. Paul Murphy (Derry) 12. Paul Galvin (Kerry) 13. Donnacha O'Connor (Cork) 14. Kieran Donaghy (Kerry) 15. Vincent Corey (Monaghan) Brendan Murphy's shot stopping this year was of the highest order and he played a vital role in Meath's resurgence. The full back line I have chosen all played their selected position and with some authority. Al three players love to attack the ball and all three conceded very little to their direct opponents. In the half back line Sligo's Johnny Davey adds an attacking flair to a reliable line. Like Conor Gormley, Gary Mc Quaid would have made my first 15 selection. His performances for Monaghan this year were of a consistently high standard. A real leader and driving force within the Monaghan set up. Prior to their final games in the championship both Sean Cavanagh and Nicholas Murphy were having a great season. Cavanagh's points in the Ulster final off right and left were superb whilst Murphy's high fielding displays were a joy to watch. Derry's Fergal Doherty also finished the year strongly in this position. My three half forwards all take some watching but all have their own unique style of play. Kavanagh's fetching and score taking ability was a major reason why Donegal ended up as National League champions. Paul Murphy's performances against Laois and Dublin made many neutrals sit up and take notice. But the third man on this line was probably the most unfortunate not to pick up and award. Paul Galvin's industry and aggression are an important element of the Kerry machine. Despite carrying niggly injuries he displayed his usual tenacity and worked tirelessly for the cause. The full forward line also carries some threat. Not too many defenders were able to cope with these three. Donaghy we are all well aware about but both O'Connor and Corey have emerged as top class forwards. O'Connor was one of the few Cork men that survived the Kerry massacre still standing. Vincent Corey started the year in defence but after the season he has had I'm sure we'll not see him with a No 3 on his back again. His presence in the full forward line for Monaghan brought the best out of Tommy Freeman. As a big target man Corey was able to win his own ball and his direct approach caused all sorts of chaos for opposing defenders. He was also able to retain his county form when helping Clontibret win back to back Monaghan titles recently. That's my selection complete - not bad for a reserve team! Tweet

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