Nolan named RTE Man of the Match

September 19, 2011

2011 All-Ireland final Man of the Match Kevin Nolan.
Kevin Nolan was last night named as the RTE All-Ireland football final Man of the Match.

The Kilmacud Crokes half back, whose brilliant equalising point moments after Kevin McManamon's goal had kick-started Dublin's late recovery was his first ever score in the championship, saw off stiff competition from team-mate Bernard Brogan and Kerry midfielder Bryan Sheehan to land the prestigious award.

GAA president Christy Cooney presented him with his award - which was chosen by a panel comprising Pat Spillane, Ciaran Whelan and Kevin McStay - at the Dublin victory banquet in the Burlington Hotel just after 11pm.

Meanwhile, a straw poll among a studio panel of leading football personalities makes Alan Brogan firm favourite to succeed his younger brother Bernard as Footballer of the Year, while it appears the Young Footballer of the Year award will be a head-to-head between Dublin full back Rory O'Carroll and Mayo teenager Cillian O'Connor.

The panel included Wexford manager Jason Ryan, Monaghan's Dick Clerkin, Westmeath's Dessie Dolan, John Doyle of Kildare, ex-Armagh star Oisin McConville, Tipperary boss John Evans, Laois' Michael John Tierney, Mayo captain Alan Dillon and Cork goalkeeper Alan Quirke.

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