With Kerry's grip on the All-Ireland showing no signs of loosening, David Sheehan looks at fifteen players that the Kingdom's nearest rivals might seek to cherry-pick in the hypothetical scenario that a transfer market existed in Gaelic football. Where would the likes of Dublin and Cork seek to strengthen given the opportunity to recruit players from outside their own borders? For the purposes of this piece, players from last season's All-Ireland quarter-finalists - along with Armagh who are well established - have been omitted from the process. Goalkeeper: Gary Connaughton, Westmeath. Despite conceding a soft and ultimately costly goal in Westmeath's surprise opening round defeat to Longford last season, Connaughton has been a model of consistency for the Lake County since making his debut under Páidí O Sé in the historic 2004 season. A former Athlone Town goalkeeper, Connaughton's shot-stopping abilities are second to none and his sheer size makes him a commanding presence behind his full-back line. While most of the top sides are well served in this department - Kerry, Meath and Dublin received the goalkeeping All-Star nominations in 2007 - there is no question that Connaughton is at the very least equal to any keeper in the country - and superior to most. Right Full-Back: Karl Lacey, Donegal The Four Masters man was one of his side's best performers during Donegal's triumphant 2007 league campaign. Much was expected of the Tír Conaill men following this success but the championship proved to be a big disappointment. Despite this, Lacey's reputation as one of the best defenders in the country is hardy under threat and you feel that the likes of Meath and to a lesser degree Dublin could use a specialist man-marker capable of snuffing out the threat of opposition danger man come the latter stages of the championship. Full-Back: Barry Owens, Fermanagh Owens' quality has twice been recognised with All-Star awards in 2004 and 2006. Given the disarray Tyrone's full-back line found themselves in at various stages last season - especially under high balls - they could use someone with Owens' experience and class. Dublin too, even though Ross McConnell enjoyed a decent debut season, would hardly turn their noses up at Owens' were he to switch allegiances to the capital. The Teemore clubman is recovering from heart surgery and is expected to return for the latter stages of the National League, hopefully none the worse for the experience. Left Full-Back: Anthony Forde Though Forde has plays most of his county football at centre back, he has experience playing in the corner and shackled Stephen McDonnell effectively in the Ulster championship. Having captained his county in the past, Forde's leadership qualities allied to his tenacity and fighting spirit would be coveted in many counties seeking to tighten up their defence. Right Half-Back: Leighton Glynn, Wicklow The versatile dual star shone during Wicklow's battles with Louth in the Leinster Championship last season and Glynn continued his excellent form as the Garden County stunned Antrim in the Tommy Murphy Cup final. Glynn - who has represented his province in the Railway Cup - started his season in the half-back line but, such is his flexibility and talent, he notched 1-4 from centre-forward as Wicklow made the rare trip up the steps of the Hogan Stand last August. It is this versatility allied to a fierce will to win that would make Glynn a much sought after figure in counties like Meath, where the hurlers would also be grateful for his services. Centre Half-Back: Damien Healy, Westmeath. The former Rochfordbridge clubman, who now lines out for Salthill-Knocnacarra to the west of the Shannon, hinted last October that he may have lined out for the Lake County for the last time. However, that he has been persuaded to throw in his lot one last time by Liam O Flatharta. Chronic knee problems coupled with the wear and tear that goes along with ten years of inter-county football have taken their toll on the 2004 Leinster championship medallist, and while Healy may not have been the tallest number six in the country, his positional sense, accurate distribution and strength on the ball when driving forward are qualities which will be missed in the midlands when he finally hangs up his boots. Left Half-Back: Barry Dunnion, Donegal Being a double Sigerson Cup winner, Dunnion was unlikely to have any problems settling into county football, and so it proved. An All-Star nominee in 2006, Dunnion has gone from strength to strength, putting in strong defensive displays and attacking at every opportunity, often popping up with the odd point. Things were looking up for the Tír Conaill men last season after they landed their first ever league title but it proved to be a false dawn as a disappointing championship followed. Dunnion would walk into most county sides, but it is unlikely Donegal would let the Four Masters man leave without a fight as they seek to finally deliver on their potential. Midfield: Thomas Walsh, Wicklow. Walsh is no stranger to switching allegiances having moved from Carlow to Wicklow in a welter of controversy last season. The switch proved beneficial for both player and county as Walsh ended the 2007 with a Tommy Murphy Cup medal in his pocket. Remarkably, rumours abound that Walsh may return to Carlow but this has yet to happen and it is surely unlikely. Dublin have, over the years, struggled to find a consistent partner for Ciarán Whelan - who himself is getting no younger - and would be one of the hypothetical suitors for Walsh. Midfield: Paddy Keenan, Louth. Louth's sole All-Star nominee in 2007, Keenan was one of the Wee County's most impressive performers in what was a fractured season. Keenan and his team-mates struggled to get past Wicklow before exiting Leinster tamely to Wexford. Following that defeat and mass departures from the panel, Eamon McEneaney's side turned in some impressive performances in the qualifiers with Keenan to the fore. The DCU student covers copious amounts of ground from his midfield berth and is well capable of taking a score, a combination which would make him a shrewd acquisition for any would-be All-Ireland contenders. Right Half-Forward: Michael Tierney, Laois Though Laois suffered a fairly comprehensive defeat to Dublin in the 2007 Leinster final, Tierney's emergence from the provincial title-winning under-21 side of the same year will be a source of optimism in the O'Moore County. A livewire in open play and also lethal from frees, Tierney's blonde highlights and popstar looks - he reportedly drew admiring glances from Girls Aloud singer Nadine Coyle last summer - is a marketing mans dream in much the same way Jason Sherlock was in 1995. With the retirement of Joe Higgins and Tom Kelly announced recently, Laois will need Tierney to be at his best if they are to climb up the charts in the championship. Centre half-forward: John Doyle, Kildare. Doyle is one of a rare breed in modern-day Gaelic football - a placed ball aficionado. Kildare have gone through a barren spell in recent years following the heady days of Mick O'Dwyer. Throughout it all Doyle has been a class performer and his playmaking skills along with that aforementioned potency from free-kicks would make him a useful addition for any side lacking a consistent dead-ball specialist. With Mark Vaughan now in situ, Dublin look like they have finally solved that problem, but if someone of the calibre of Doyle had been available to them in recent seasons then who knows - the wait for Sam may have been ended before now. Left Half-Forward: Benny Coulter, Down. Like many of the counties mentioned in this piece, Down have fallen upon hard times in recent years despite possessing one of the country's leading attackers in Benny Coulter. The Mayobridge man has been selected four times to represent Ireland in the International Rules series, and has been one of our brighter performers even in defeat such as his two-goal haul in Perth in 2005. Following the now infamous Croke Park test of 2006, Coulter decided he had seen enough and opted out of any future involvement. His place among the top forwards in the country is not in doubt, and any rival defender would be only too happy to see Coulter lining out along side them, as opposed to against. Right Corner-Forward: Michael Meehan, Galway. The impish Galway forward gave Darren Fay as close to a roasting as the Meath man has ever gotten during last season's qualifier in Portlaoise and showed the power that belies his small frame when hammering a penalty past Brendan Murphy in the same game. Meehan's blistering pace and eye for a goal will continue to torment defenders up and down the country for many seasons to come. With talisman Padraic Joyce's career surely drawing to a close in the near future, the onus will be on Meehan to shoulder some of the responsibility as Liam Sammon looks to optimise the performance of his new charges. Full-Forward: Dessie Dolan, Westmeath. The 28 year-old from Garrycastle has seen a lot throughout his career. In his early years as a senior player he turned in some star performances yet many will remember a remarkable miss from twenty metres which would have defeated Meath in 2003. The following season provided some happier memories as Dolan bounced back to inspire his side to the Leinster title. Injuries have hampered Dolan's career slightly in recent seasons but, given the right supply, he is still one of the most dangerous inside forwards in the country and has plenty of years left in him yet. Left Corner-Forward: Brian Kavanagh, Longford. Last but certainly not least is the man who shot his side to a shock first-round win over Westmeath in last season's Leinster championship. Kavanagh was unknown to many before that game but his personal haul of 2-6 certainly made the country sit up and take notice. He collected four points in the next round against Laois but this was not enough to save his side from defeat and they exited to qualifiers to, ironically, Westmeath. With the two sides meeting yet again in this years Leinster opener, Kavanagh will be out to show his prowess again, this time without the cloak of anonymity. He, like Dolan was in his formative years, will be a marked man from now on and it will be interesting to see how his career progresses. Of course this is just a sample of the talent that exists around the country outside of the likes of Kerry, Tyrone and Dublin. No doubt, as the 2008 season gathers pace, some new names will announce themselves with star performances. Who will be the Brian Kavanagh or Leighton Glynn of this year's championship? Time will tell. Tweet

Most Read Stories