Donaghy, Shefflin GPA players of the year

Kieran Donaghy and Henry Shefflin have been unveiled as the Gaelic Players Association (GPA) Players of the Year, writes Seán Moran.

Both will receive an Opel Astra, provided by the awards' sponsors. The presentation to the players and to the GPA Teams of the Year took place at the association's annual awards evening in Dublin's City West Hotel.

It was the conclusion to an exceptional year for both players. Donaghy had an astonishing impact after being moved to full forward by Kerry manager Jack O'Connor, giving a string of performances during which he proved unmarkable. His height and basketball experience made him formidable in the air and deadly in his use of the ball.

Shefflin, who had won the award in 2002, was at the heart of Kilkenny's phenomenal season during which they were unbeaten across four competitions.

Just last week he won his first county title with Ballyhale Shamrocks, with whom he is in action tomorrow against Rathnure in the AIB Leinster hurling championship. He will captain Kilkenny next year.

The other Player of the Year nominees were - Football: Darragh Ó Sé (Kerry), Ciarán McDonald (Mayo) and Ronan Clarke (Armagh); Hurling: Dónal Cusack (Cork), Ronan Curran (Cork), James Fitzpatrick (Kilkenny) and Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny).