Ulster Minor Club all-time All Stars
January 11, 2007
To commemorate the 25th year of the Ulster minor football club competition, the Ulster Writers Association has nominated 45 players from which a final team of all-time All Stars will be picked.
This year's Northern Bank Ulster Minor Club Football Tournament, which ended on 1st January 07 and which was won by Tyrone Champions Coalisland, was the 25th year of competition.
To celebrate this landmark year of competition St Pauls, the organisers of the tournament, decided to ask members of the Ulster GAA Writers Association to select their team of the tournament from every player that has competed during the last 25 years. Selection was based on their success throughout their playing career, not only their contribution at minor level. We asked individuals and clubs to nominate players for inclusion in the team.
From the full list of nominees received by 1st January 2007 members of the Ulster GAA Writers selected 45 players from which they will finally select the All Star team. Everyone that is included on the list of 45 will be invited to a gala dinner to be held in Belfast City Hall, on Friday 16th February 2007, at which the Northern Bank All Star Team selection will be announced.
Over the last 25 years, an estimated 4,500 players have taken part in the tournament and the All Star nominees reflect therefore only 1% of this total. This clearly demonstrates the difficult and unenviable task the GAA Writers had in selecting the 45.
In terms of the nominees, between them they have amassed 29 All Ireland Medals, 61 Ulster Medals and 17 All Star Awards. In addition, the claim that minor success is the stepping stone to senior club success is shown in the fact that there are 113 County Championship medals shared out amongst them. In addition there medals at club level for winning the Ulster (Ballinderry and Crossmaglen) and All Ireland Club Titles (Crossmaglen) as well 4 All Star nominations and Ulster GAA Writers monthly and yearly awards.
In relation to the nominees, all 9 counties of Ulster are represented. Armagh surprisingly has the most nominations with 11 players nominated. This is followed by Derry with 9, Donegal - 8; Fermanagh 5; Tyrone - 4; Antrim - 3; Down and Cavan - 2 with Monaghan taking up the last place. (Details of each player are attached for your reference)
Following the announcement, Billy McLarnon Treasurer of St Pauls said he was already looking forward to the final selection. "Having been involved with the competition for many years, I have had numerous discussions as to the number of outstanding players that have participated over the years. Almost every conversation produces yet another county star or All-Ireland medal winner. To be named in the panel of 45 is a wonderful achievement and I do not envy the task of the GAA Writers in selecting the final 15 players. However I am certain that the Northern Bank All Stars dinner will be one of the best nights in this years GAA calendar and it will be an award any player would be proud to own".
NOMINATIONS - as selected by the Ulster GAA Writers
GOALKEEPER
Paul Hearty (Crossmaglen)
Sean McGreevey (St Paul's)
Benny Tierney (Mullaghbawn)
RIGHT FULL BACK CENTRE FULL BACK LEFT FULL BACK
Chris Lawn (Moortown) Francie Bellew (Crossmaglen) Karl Lacey (4 Masters)
Niall McCusker (Ballinderry) Kevin McGuckin (Ballinderry) Ryan McCluskey (E'killen Gaels)
Kieron McKeever (Dungiven) Barry Owens (Teemore) Andy Mallon (Pearse Og)
RIGHT HALF BACK CENTRE HALF BACK LEFT HALF BACK
Aaron Kernan (Crossmaglen) John Cunningham (Killybegs) Paul Duffy (Pearse Og)
Francis McEldowney (Slaughtneil) Paul McFlynn (Loup) Barry Dunnion (4 Masters)
Cathal Murray (Clonduff) Barry Monaghan (4 Masters) Barry McGowan (Killybegs)
MIDFIELD
Paul Brewster (Enniskillen Gaels) Barry Cunningham (Killybegs)
Paul McErlean (St Paul's) Cormac McAnallen (Eglish)
Anthony Tohill (Swatragh) Johnny McBride (Loup)
RIGHT HALF FORWARD CENTRE HALF FORWARD LEFT HALF FORWARD
Tom Brewster (E'killen Gaels) Paul Finlay (Ballybay) Gerard Cavlan (Dungannon)
Mark Little (Lisnaskea) John McEntee (Crossmaglen) Oisin McConville (Crossmaglen)
Dermot McNicholl (Glenullin) Brian McGuigan (Ardboe) Brian Roper (Aodh Ruadh)
RIGHT HALF FORWARD CENTRE HALF FORWARD LEFT HALF FORWARD
Joe Brolly (Dungiven) Ronan Clarke (Pearse Og) Manus Boyle (Killybegs)
Mickey Graham (Cavan Gaels) Benny Coulter (Mayobridge) Sean Johnston (Cavan Gaels)
Steven McDonnell (Killeavy) Kevin Madden (Sean Stinson's) Tony McEntee (Crossmaglen)
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