In years gone by the schools would have been bedecked with the colours of the teams ready to compete in the All Ireland Football Final but this morning, in the new calendar, we are celebrating the nominees for the year’s PwC All Stars.
Kerry’s domination of the season has been acknowledged with 12 places of the 45 in the PwC All-Stars football nominations for 2022.
Beaten finalists Galway have eight while the losing semi-finalists Derry and Dublin have seven and six respectively. Armagh have five, Cork two and there is one nomination for each of Clare, Kildare, Limerick, Mayo and Monaghan.
All-Ireland winning goalkeeper Shane Ryan faces competition from Dublin’s Evan Comerford and Armagh’s Ethan Rafferty.
He is joined by all six of his Kerry defenders in the list of 18 nominated which also includes three each from Galway and Derry as well as Dublin debutante Lee Gannon and exciting Limerick defender Cian Sheehan in the shortlist.
At midfield, Galway duo Paul Conroy and Cillian McDaid and Derry pair Conor Glass and Gareth McKinless are joined by Dublin’s Brian Fenton and Kerry’s Jack Barry in the centre field selection.
Up front Kerry’s razor-sharp attack is represented by Clifford brothers David and Paudie, with Seán O’Shea and Stephen O’Brien joining them in an impressive list of forwards that also features three each from Galway and Armagh with Dublin and Derry landing two slots each and Ben McCormack (Kildare), Eoin Cleary (Clare), Stephen Sherlock (Cork) and Jack McCarron (Monaghan) all recognised for their individual brilliance this summer.
Footballer of the Year
PwC GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year and Young Player of the Year shortlists have also been revealed with voting for both undertaken by all inter-county footballers.
Kerry powerhouse David Clifford will be up against Galway sharpshooter Shane Walsh and the Tribes midfield star Cillian McDaid for the overall award. For Young Player of the Year, Derry forward Ethan Doherty is joined by Dublin defender Lee Gannon and Galway defender Jack Glynn in the voting.
“I want to congratulate all of those who have been nominated for a PwC Football All-Star and commend them on their contribution to what was an excellent football championship,” said GAA President Larry McCarthy.
“It was fantastic to see crowds being able to flock back to our games this year. At a time of change in our football structure and season calendar what remains constant is the ability of our players to light up the campaign and the pick of the crop are here in these nominations.”
“To make this shortlist is a significant achievement and I want to acknowledge the work that has gone into it and know that being shortlisted is also a huge moment for the families and the clubs of the players involved, and especially for David, Shane and Cillian and their nomination for PwC GAA/GPA Footballer and to Lee, Ethan and Jack for the PwC GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year nomination.”
“Our games are primarily about what we achieve as part of a team. However, there is always a place to celebrate individual excellence and the PwC All-Stars are the pinnacle when it comes to individual recognition in football and hurling,” added Tom Parsons, CEO of the GPA.
“I want to wholeheartedly congratulate all of the nominees announced today. In a season of change, there were many stand-out moments and memories that will stand the test of time.”
“Heartfelt congratulations to each of the 45 footballers who have been nominated for a PwC All-Star and also to those shortlisted for the PwC GAA/GPA Footballer and Young Footballer of the Year from everyone at PwC,” said Managing Partner Feargal O’Rourke.
“Each of you excelled as both individuals and as part of a team during the thrilling championship season and rightly deserve to be recognised for your hard work and dedication.”
Dating back to 1971, the All-Stars are selected by a team of GAA journalists from across print, radio, digital, tv and broadcast media. A separate Tailteann Cup team of the year will also be honoured this year.
The PwC All-Stars will be presented at a black-tie banquet in Dublin’s Convention Centre on Friday, October 28. The hurling team will be announced live on the night with the football team being released publicly 24 hours earlier.
PwC All-Stars Football Nominations 2022
Goalkeepers
Ethan Rafferty (Armagh), Shane Ryan (Kerry), Evan Comerford (Dublin)
Defenders
Jason Foley (Kerry), Tadhg Morley (Kerry), Brian Ó Beaglaoich (Kerry), Graham O’Sullivan (Kerry), Tom O’Sullivan (Kerry), Gavin White (Kerry), Liam Silke (Galway), Seán Kelly (Galway), John Daly (Galway), Chrissy McKaigue (Derry), Conor McCluskey (Derry), Brendan Rogers (Derry), James McCarthy (Dublin), Lee Gannon (Dublin), Lee Keegan (Mayo), Jarlath Óg Burns (Armagh), Seán Powter (Cork), Cian Sheehan (Limerick)
Midfielders
Paul Conroy (Galway), Cillian McDaid (Galway), Conor Glass (Derry), Gareth McKinless (Derry), Brian Fenton (Dublin), Jack Barry (Kerry)
Forwards
David Clifford (Kerry), Seán O’Shea (Kerry), Paudie Clifford (Kerry), Stephen O’Brien (Kerry), Shane Walsh (Galway), Damian Comer (Galway), Robert Finnerty (Galway), Rian O’Neill (Armagh), Stefan Campbell (Armagh), Rory Grugan (Armagh), Ciarán Kilkenny (Dublin), Con O’Callaghan (Dublin), Shane McGuigan (Derry), Ethan Doherty (Derry), Ben McCormack (Kildare), Eoin Cleary (Clare), Stephen Sherlock (Cork), Jack McCarron (Monaghan)
PwC GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year nominees
David Clifford (Kerry), Cillian McDaid (Galway), Shane Walsh (Galway)
PwC GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year nominees
Lee Gannon (Dublin), Ethan Doherty (Derry), Jack Glynn (Galway)
