All-Ireland champions Cork and runners-up Down have each received four football All-Stars, while Paddy Keenan has made history by becoming Louth's first All-Star winner.

Michael Shields, Paudie Kissane, Graham Canty and Aidan Walsh are the Cork players honoured, while Brendan McVeigh, Danny Hughes, Martin Clarke and Benny Coulter make up Down's representation on the selection.

Kildare have been rewarded for a fine season by rookie corner back Peter Kelly and attacker Johnny Doyle's inclusion, while Sligo (Charlie Harrison), Tyrone (Philip Jordan), Louth (Keenan), Kerry (Colm Cooper) and Dublin (Bernard Brogan) have received one award each.

The team includes 11 first-time All-Stars, with the Cork defensive pair of Shields and Canty, along with Kerry's Colm Cooper and Tyrone's Philip Jordan, the only previous winners.

Despite receiving four awards, Cork will be disappointed not to have a bigger representation in light of their National League and All-Ireland successes. A major talking point is the failure of any of their forwards, including All-Ireland final heroes Daniel Goulding and Donncha O'Connor, to win an award.

Likewise, Down will be disappointed that no member of their defence has made the team, with centre back Kevin McKernan being a surprise omission. Other players who will feel aggrieved at not making the team are Dublin midfielder Michael Darragh Mcauley, Roscommon scoring sensation Donie Shine, Kildare's Emmet Bolton and James Kavanagh, Limerick's John Galvin and Meath's impressive newcomer Graham Reilly.

Bernard Brogan, Michael Shields and Danny Hughes have all been nominated for the Football of the Year award which will be announced, along with the hurling All-Stars and Hurler of the Year award winner, at Friday's All-Star banquet in Dublin.

The 2010 Vodafone All-Star football team is: Brendan McVeigh (Down), Peter Kelly (Kildare), Michael Shields (Cork), Charlie Harrison (Sligo); Paudie Kissane (Cork), Graham Canty (Cork), Philip Jordan (Tyrone); Paddy Keenan (Louth), Aidan Walsh (Cork); Danny Hughes (Down), Martin Clarke (Down), Johnny Doyle (Kildare); Colm Cooper (Kerry), Bernard Brogan (Dublin), Benny Coulter (Down). Tweet

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