Full-forward position a tough call

PLAYER OF THE YEAR NOMINATIONS:THE GAELIC Players Association's 45-man version of the football All Stars was released yesterday with the membership asked to vote for those they believe deserve recognition from the 2008 season.

This system has an obvious flaw as three players are nominated in each position, six for the two midfield slots, meaning certainties in the rival scheme, selected by a panel of journalists, cannot share the podium with those nominated in the same position.

The most obvious example is at full forward where only one from Tyrone's Seán Cavanagh, Kerry's Kieran Donaghy and Ronan Clarke of Armagh can be chosen.

Such are the levels of competition in this position Cork's Michael Cussen does not merit a nomination despite some highly effective displays, especially the second-half of the Munster final against Kerry.

"Gaelic football is a team game, but as we all know individual contributions throughout the year are deserving of recognition," said the selection committee chairman, Jack O'Connor, who was joined in the process by former Dublin player Keith Barr, Donegal's 1992 All-Ireland winner Martin McHugh and Irish News journalist Paddy Heaney.

Cavanagh, Brian Dooher, Tomás Ó Sé and Declan O'Sullivan are the candidates for footballer of the year but it is conceivable the winner or runners-up fail to make the GPA team of the year.

The shortlist represents 15 counties; Tyrone (9), Kerry (8), Wexford (4), with Dublin, Westmeath, Galway, Cork, Fermanagh and Armagh all receiving three nominations and Mayo, Kildare, Limerick, Monaghan, Down and Derry each receiving one nomination.

The awards ceremony takes place on November 7th.

The nominations for the women's football all Stars were announced yesterday with AllIreland finalists Cork and Monaghan leading the way with 10 nominations each.

Seventeen counties are represented altogether in the 2008 list of nominees, compared to 13 last year. The winners will be revealed at a ceremony at Citywest Hotel, Dublin, on November 15th.

GPA Team of the Year Shortlist

Goalkeeper - Ronan Gallagher (Fermanagh), Gary Connaughton (Westmeath), Anthony Masterson (Wexford). Right Corner Back - Marc Ó Sé (Kerry), Dessie Mone (Monaghan), John Keane (Westmeath). Full Back - Justin McMahon (Tyrone), Francie Bellew (Armagh), Finian Hanley (Galway). Left Corner Back - Conor Gormley (Tyrone), Anthony Lynch (Cork), David Henry (Dublin). Right Wing Back - Tomas Ó Sé (Kerry), Davy Harte (Tyrone), Michael Ennis (Westmeath). Centre Back - Ryan McCluskey (Fermanagh), Philip Jordan (Tyrone), Aidan O'Mahony (Kerry). Left Wing Back - Ryan McMenamin (Tyrone), Ciarán McKeever (Armagh), Graham Canty (Cork). Midfield - Enda McGinley (Tyrone), Darragh Ó Sé (Kerry), Shane Ryan (Dublin), Dan Gordon (Down), John Galvin (Limerick), Martin McGrath (Fermanagh). Right Wing Forward - Brian Dooher (Tyrone), Alan Dillon (Mayo), John Doyle (Kildare). Centre Forward - Declan O'Sullivan (Kerry), Padraic Joyce (Galway), Pearse O'Neill (Cork). Left Wing Forward - Joe McMahon (Tyrone), Redmond Barry (Wexford), Alan Brogan (Dublin). Right Corner Forward - Colm Cooper (Kerry), Paddy Bradley (Derry), Ciarán Lyng (Wexford). Full Forward - Seán Cavanagh, (Tyrone), Kieran Donaghy (Kerry), Ronan Clarke (Armagh). Left Corner Forward - Tommy Walsh (Kerry), Michael Meehan (Galway), Matty Forde (Wexford).

Women's Football All Star Shortlist

Goalkeepers - Elaine Harte (Cork), Tina Hughes (Galway), Katrina Connolly (Sligo). Full Backs - Angela Walsh (Cork), Linda Barrett (Cork), Helena Lohan (Mayo), Maura Kelly (Tyrone), Sharon Courtney (Monaghan), Christina Reilly (Monaghan), Eliza Downey (Down), Derval Toal (Armagh), Grainne McNally (Monaghan). Half Backs - Brid Stack (Cork), Briege Corkery (Cork), Geraldine O'Flynn (Cork), Caroline Kelly (Kerry), Aoibhean Daly (Galway), Neamh Woods (Tyrone), Kathy Conway (Derry), Fiona Courtney (Monaghan), Denise Masterson (Dublin). Midfield - Juilet Murphy (Cork), Martha Carter (Mayo), Amanda Casey (Monaghan), Angie McDermott (Tipperary), Noelle Earley (Kildare), Isabelle Kearns (Monaghan). Half Forwards - Nollaig Cleary (Cork), Mary O'Connor (Cork), Michaela Downey (Down), Patrice Dennehy (Kerry), Therese McNally (Monaghan), Tracey Lawlor (Laois), Amanda Murphy (Cork), Gemma Begley (Tyrone), Niamh Kindlon (Monaghan). Full Forwards - Cora Staunton (Mayo), Aine Kelly (Clare), Edel Hanley (Tipperary), Ciara McAnespie (Monaghan), Edel Byrne (Monaghan), Bronagh Sheridan (Cavan), Una Carroll (Galway), Denise Murtagh (Longford), Sinead Aherne (Dublin).