Thursday, October 31, 2024

All-Ireland champions Armagh win six All-Stars

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Rian O’Neill and Conor Turbitt are two of Armagh’s six winners [Getty Images]

All-Ireland winners Armagh have secured six Football All-Stars, including Footballer of the Year contender Barry McCambridge, while Ulster champions Donegal and Tyrone are also represented in the 2024 team.

Beaten All-Ireland finalists Galway have earned five awards while Craig Lennon has won Louth’s first All-Star since Paddy Keenan in 2010 following a string of eye-catching performances for the beaten Leinster finalists.

Despite Tyrone’s disappointing season, which ended in an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final defeat by Roscommon, Red Hands goalkeeper Niall Morgan has earned his second All-Star having secured his first following the county’s Sam Maguire triumph in 2021.

Morgan, the only previous All-Star among this year’s recipients, edged out fellow Ulster keepers Blaine Hughes (Armagh) and Shaun Patton (Donegal).

There are two awards for Ulster champions Donegal, however, with Peadar Mogan and Oisin Gallen recognised for their performances during Jim McGuinness’ first season back as manager.

It is the first time since 2003 that neither Dublin or Kerry are represented in the All-Star XV. The Dubs, All-Ireland champions in 2023, had four players – Sean Bugler, Brian Fenton, Con O’Callaghan and Cormac Costello – nominated.

Kerry’s four nominees – which include 2022 and 2023 Footballer of the Year David Clifford and his brother Paudie – also miss out.

David Clifford misses out for only the second time as a senior Kerry player having also been overlooked in 2020.

Niall Morgan kicks a ball during a Tyrone gameNiall Morgan kicks a ball during a Tyrone game

Tyrone goalkeeper Niall Morgan has earned his second All-Star [Getty Images]

Armagh’s ascension to the footballing summit for only the second time is reflected with their first awards since Ronan Clarke won his second in 2008.

In addition to McCambridge, captain Aidan Forker, Ben Crealey, Rian O’Neill, Oisin Conaty and Conor Turbitt have all been selected.

Along with goalkeeper Hughes, the Armagh players to miss out are All-Ireland final goalscorer Aaron McKay, Paddy Burns, Niall Grimley and Rory Grugan.

McCambridge is named at full-back with Galway’s Johnny McGrath at right corner-back on Mogan on the left.

Emulating his manager Kieran McGeeney’s achievement in 2002, Forker is named at centre-back after lifting Sam with Galway’s Dylan McHugh at right wing-back and Lennon on the left.

Crealey is joined in midfield by Galway’s Footballer of the Year nominee Paul Conroy. In the half-forwards, O’Neill and Young Footballer of the Year nominee Conaty are joined by another Galway Footballer of the Year contender in John Maher.

The full-forward line is made up of Galway’s Rob Finnerty, Armagh top scorer Turbitt and leading Donegal marksman Gallen.

2024 GAA All-Star Football team

Niall Morgan (Tyrone); Johnny McGrath (Galway), Barry McCambridge (Armagh), Peadar Mogan (Donegal); Dylan McHugh (Galway), Aidan Forker (Armagh), Craig Lennon (Louth); Paul Conroy (Galway), Ben Crealey (Armagh); Rian O’Neill (Armagh), John Maher (Galway), Oisin Conaty (Armagh); Rob Finnerty (Galway), Oisin Gallen (Donegal), Conor Turbitt (Armagh).

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