1. Brendan Kealy
2. Keith Higgins
3. Ronan MacNamee
4. Frank McGlynn
5. Lee Keegan
6. Cian O'Sullivan
7. Peter Harte
8. Anthony Maher
9. Mattie Donnelly
10. Donnchadh Walsh
11. Michael Murphy
12. Diarmuid Connolly
13. Bernard Brogan
14. Aidan O Shea
15. Paul Geaney

Yes there have been some positional changes, but Michael Murphy has to be in there even though he has not featured at 11 this year. I'm aware of the argument that if he's not been as good as AOS at full forward and not as effective as Maher or Donnelly in midfield then he shouldn't be there but I believe he's been one of the top men of the championship and therefore, to date, deserves to be included. Let's not forget that numbers and traditional positions mean less and less.

Those on weaker county teams like Quigley, Corrigan, Heslin, Pat Hughes and Cribbin had some individual great days but for a number of reasons (longevity in champ, not beating top opposition etc) don't make the cut.

wicklu (Wicklow) - Posts: 331 - 25/08/2015 12:41:05    1775852

There's not a lot wrong with that but just like lads who will miss out because there team didn't make it far enough, the losing semi finalist next week will miss out on a few. As it stands, if you are playing lads out of position I would have Seamie O'Shea and Moran in midfield and Mattie Donnelly at centre forward instead of Murphy. Harsh on Maher but midfield is the toughest position to call this year and unless Moran has a poor final I think he is still ahead of Maher. There is generally a token all-star for a quarter-finalist so I wouldn't rule out McManus either.

wee_yo (Mayo) - Posts: 63 - 25/08/2015 14:42:24    1775956

wicklu

that's a fair reflection of the championship so far. apart from leaving out McManus maybe, I'd have him ahead of Geaney, just.


But the unfortunate thing is; the next 2 games will probably have more impact on the all-stars than however many games have been played to date.

The winners usually get 6 minimum, the runners up 5 or so, leaving about 3-4 for others.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5010 - 25/08/2015 14:59:18    1775975

wee-yo i don't think if McManus gets an all star it'll be a token one, it'll be well deserved

turkeyplucker (UK) - Posts: 137 - 25/08/2015 15:43:19    1776013

Its kinda funny that when I look at Kerry and Dublin no players stand out due to the strength in depth of both teams.
The OP has Paul Geaney in his team and Geaney would be the star of nearly every other team but this year so far he wouldnt have done enough to get an All Star while Conor McManus would prob be the first name on my All star team. MKurphy is a legend and still very young (which people forget) but I probably wouldnt include him either. The main Donegal player to get nomination in my opinion should be Neil McGee (wont get AS but I think he is best Full back in the country) and Neil Gallagher (Donegal most important player I feel but is in a very hard group to get even nominated)

In saying the above Donaghy only played 2.5 games last year and won POTY.

dstuction (Donegal) - Posts: 1209 - 25/08/2015 15:54:53    1776028

Yes McManus would also be in with a great shout right enough and deservedly so. Hard to leave out Geaney - he's top scorer in the Kerry camp so far and IMO turned the game on Sunday. Would be between Brogan and McManus and Brogan will have the opportunity to cement his place or guarantee his omission - McManus could've done no more.

Dstuction - do you mean Donaghy or O'Donoghue? Because O'Donoghue got POTY but played in all games for Kerry

wicklu (Wicklow) - Posts: 331 - 25/08/2015 16:05:34    1776036

I agree Turkeyplucker and I didn't intend to suggest otherwise that is why I mentioned him above all others. He is easily in the top 15 footballers in the game at the minute. My point was you rarely see more than one given to quarter finalists so he will likely be the one to get it. As mentioned above there tends to be a numbers game when all stars are allocated, I'd say 5-7 for winners, 3-4 for finalists, 2-3 for semi finalists and 0-1 for quarter finalists. McManus is more than worthy of another all-star but it would not be a surprise to see him miss out all the same.

wee_yo (Mayo) - Posts: 63 - 25/08/2015 16:25:41    1776054

Wicked it seems a bit of a contradiction to select individual players on the basis of how well a team performs.

neverright (Roscommon) - Posts: 1648 - 25/08/2015 16:42:54    1776083

Geaney/Murphy ahead of McManus?
Thats just madness Wicklu..
McManus has been the best player in the country in 2015, Murphy has done little or nothing apart from one big leap over a fella 4 inches smaller than him
Pick on form, not reputation

Frank McGlynn is an absolute must BTW

Liamwalkinstown (Dublin) - Posts: 8166 - 25/08/2015 17:05:18    1776106

Each player picked because I believe they've been the best player this year. For example, Pat Hughes' excellent performance against Tyrone was better than AOS against Galway but overall AOS has been a more effective player this year because (but not limited to) I have seen him over more games. He has had a few more of those games because his team has gone further. None of my team are based on the progression of the team in itself but it does have an impact on the opinion of the quality of player. Simple as, these are the 15 I have seen playing to their peak over the longest period this year, which is my criteria for an All Star.

wicklu (Wicklow) - Posts: 331 - 25/08/2015 17:10:10    1776110

Cathal McCarron must be in with a shout after his performance against Kerry!

mmdtc2011 (Tyrone) - Posts: 125 - 25/08/2015 17:13:25    1776116

Bit of a generalisation there, LiamWD, that I've picked the whole team on reputation because you disagree with one selection. BTW if any forward was to be displaced on my 15, it'd be Brogan thus far. Think Geaney's quality whether starting or being subsequently dropped and brought back is admirable. Murphy kicked 3 massive points against Tyrone as ONE example of his contribution this year - you LiamWD chose one of his other massive moments. What he did that day shows incredible leadership which is a quality in a team that is far more important than a corner forward kicking 2-03 out of 5-18 on a day. Add in his massive unselfishness to play at midfield and lead the team from every position all through a game. These are the qualities I admire in a player and he has delivered those not just in other years but THIS year especially, which is why he gets the nod in this year's team to date.
McManus has been class and there'd be a toss up between him and Brogan based on what Brogan does for the next few games. If either Geaney or Brogan continue what they've done for the next 1/2 games then there'll likely be no place for McManus on my side.

wicklu (Wicklow) - Posts: 331 - 25/08/2015 17:21:59    1776119

Any posters have a selection of their own?

wicklu (Wicklow) - Posts: 331 - 25/08/2015 17:23:11    1776121

A good final for Stephen O'Brien would prob get him selected!

shoulderghost (Limerick) - Posts: 863 - 25/08/2015 17:39:34    1776136