Ulster Minor Club all-time All Stars
11 January 2007
To commemorate the 25th year of the Ulster minor football club competition, the Ulster Writers Association has nominated 45 players from which a final team of all-time All Stars will be picked.
This year's Northern Bank Ulster Minor Club Football Tournament, which ended on 1st January 07 and which was won by Tyrone Champions Coalisland, was the 25th year of competition.
To celebrate this landmark year of competition St Pauls, the organisers of the tournament, decided to ask members of the Ulster GAA Writers Association to select their team of the tournament from every player that has competed during the last 25 years. Selection was based on their success throughout their playing career, not only their contribution at minor level. We asked individuals and clubs to nominate players for inclusion in the team.
From the full list of nominees received by 1st January 2007 members of the Ulster GAA Writers selected 45 players from which they will finally select the All Star team. Everyone that is included on the list of 45 will be invited to a gala dinner to be held in Belfast City Hall, on Friday 16th February 2007, at which the Northern Bank All Star Team selection will be announced.
Over the last 25 years, an estimated 4,500 players have taken part in the tournament and the All Star nominees reflect therefore only 1% of this total. This clearly demonstrates the difficult and unenviable task the GAA Writers had in selecting the 45.
In terms of the nominees, between them they have amassed 29 All Ireland Medals, 61 Ulster Medals and 17 All Star Awards. In addition, the claim that minor success is the stepping stone to senior club success is shown in the fact that there are 113 County Championship medals shared out amongst them. In addition there medals at club level for winning the Ulster (Ballinderry and Crossmaglen) and All Ireland Club Titles (Crossmaglen) as well 4 All Star nominations and Ulster GAA Writers monthly and yearly awards.
In relation to the nominees, all 9 counties of Ulster are represented. Armagh surprisingly has the most nominations with 11 players nominated. This is followed by Derry with 9, Donegal – 8; Fermanagh 5; Tyrone – 4; Antrim – 3; Down and Cavan – 2 with Monaghan taking up the last place. (Details of each player are attached for your reference)
Following the announcement, Billy McLarnon Treasurer of St Pauls said he was already looking forward to the final selection. "Having been involved with the competition for many years, I have had numerous discussions as to the number of outstanding players that have participated over the years. Almost every conversation produces yet another county star or All-Ireland medal winner. To be named in the panel of 45 is a wonderful achievement and I do not envy the task of the GAA Writers in selecting the final 15 players. However I am certain that the Northern Bank All Stars dinner will be one of the best nights in this years GAA calendar and it will be an award any player would be proud to own".
NOMINATIONS – as selected by the Ulster GAA Writers
GOALKEEPER
Paul Hearty (Crossmaglen)
Sean McGreevey (St Paul's)
Benny Tierney (Mullaghbawn)
RIGHT FULL BACK CENTRE FULL BACK LEFT FULL BACK
Chris Lawn (Moortown) Francie Bellew (Crossmaglen) Karl Lacey (4 Masters)
Niall McCusker (Ballinderry) Kevin McGuckin (Ballinderry) Ryan McCluskey (E'killen Gaels)
Kieron McKeever (Dungiven) Barry Owens (Teemore) Andy Mallon (Pearse Og)
RIGHT HALF BACK CENTRE HALF BACK LEFT HALF BACK
Aaron Kernan (Crossmaglen) John Cunningham (Killybegs) Paul Duffy (Pearse Og)
Francis McEldowney (Slaughtneil) Paul McFlynn (Loup) Barry Dunnion (4 Masters)
Cathal Murray (Clonduff) Barry Monaghan (4 Masters) Barry McGowan (Killybegs)
MIDFIELD
Paul Brewster (Enniskillen Gaels) Barry Cunningham (Killybegs)
Paul McErlean (St Paul's) Cormac McAnallen (Eglish)
Anthony Tohill (Swatragh) Johnny McBride (Loup)
RIGHT HALF FORWARD CENTRE HALF FORWARD LEFT HALF FORWARD
Tom Brewster (E'killen Gaels) Paul Finlay (Ballybay) Gerard Cavlan (Dungannon)
Mark Little (Lisnaskea) John McEntee (Crossmaglen) Oisin McConville (Crossmaglen)
Dermot McNicholl (Glenullin) Brian McGuigan (Ardboe) Brian Roper (Aodh Ruadh)
RIGHT CORNER FORWARD FULL FORWARD LEFT CORNER FORWARD
Joe Brolly (Dungiven) Ronan Clarke (Pearse Og) Manus Boyle (Killybegs)
Mickey Graham (Cavan Gaels) Benny Coulter (Mayobridge) Sean Johnston (Cavan Gaels)
Steven McDonnell (Killeavy) Kevin Madden (Sean Stinson's) Tony McEntee (Crossmaglen)
http://www.hoganstand.com/tyrone/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=70940
Should be some team when announced
Hearty
McKeever
Owens
Mallon
Kernan
McFlynn
McGowan
Tohill
McAnallan
McNicholl
McGuigan
McConville
McDonnell
Coulter
Boyle.
Thought about - Clarke for Coulter, Brolly for McDonnell, McEntee for Boyle, Brewster for McNicholl, Dunnion for McGowan.
This isnt really gonna be the best players out of the tournament when they played in it. Most people will just pick players based on what they have achieved for their county. Like who is gonna remember what a particualr player played like when they were a minor
Quote from: rolloutking on January 11, 2007, 11:44:07 PM
This isnt really gonna be the best players out of the tournament when they played in it. Most people will just pick players based on what they have achieved for their county. Like who is gonna remember what a particualr player played like when they were a minor
"Selection was based on their
success throughout their playing career, not only their contribution at minor level. We asked individuals and clubs to nominate players for inclusion in the team."
That seems right Rollout. Plus it's a bit of publicity for Northern Bank.
I'm going to go with a simple approach – All Ireland senior winners...
Benny Tierney
Chris Lawn
Francie Bellew
Kieran McKeever
John Cunningham
Cathal Murray
Barry McGowan
Anthony Tohill
Cormac McAnallen
Ger Cavlan
Dermot McNicholl
Oisin McConville
Joe Brolly
Steven McDonnell
Manus Boyle
Subs
Barry Cunningham
Ronan Clarke
Tony McEntee
Brian McGuigan
Cavan Gaels got hard done by, won it once and made three other finals (lost two of them by a point) and only 2 nominations, both in the full forward line
Agree with all bar two of ONeill's team, I would have either of the Donegal men before McFlynn and would give the nod to Barry Monaghan. I would McGreevy ahead of Hearty too, remember who is organising said event.
McGreevy
McKeever
Owens
Mallon
Kernan
Monaghan
McGowan
Tohill
McAnallan
McNicholl
McGuigan
McConville
McDonnell
Coulter
Boyle.
If its based on what achievements theyve done since minor then Ronan Clarke would make the full forward spot his own
Forgot to mention that he played in four Ulster minor club championships as well
Pointless exercise, does anybody remember preformances form the mid-80's and are able to compare them to performaces form the mid-90's? I don't think so, it's a sycophantic pat on the back for future achievments. Case in point, all the Cross nominations, what have Cross ever done in this competition?? and 4 current Cross & Armagh stalwarts get the nominations, load of balls.
Quote from: rolloutking on January 11, 2007, 11:44:07 PM
This isnt really gonna be the best players out of the tournament when they played in it. Most people will just pick players based on what they have achieved for their county. Like who is gonna remember what a particualr player played like when they were a minor
My thoughts exactly because Pauric Duffy was the captain of Pearse Og when we won it and he was outstanding throughout this tournament.
Slaughtneil won one and lost in final next year between 98-2000 without doubt one best players at that age ever to play in the tourament was jim kelly, maybe not filled his potential at county senior level but without doubt better than half the forwards on that list
Paul Hearty (Crossmaglen)
Kieron McKeever (Dungiven)
Francie Bellew (Crossmaglen)
Andy Mallon (Pearse Og)
John Cunningham (Killybegs)
Barry McGowan (Killybegs)
Barry Monaghan (4 Masters)
Cormac McAnallen (Eglish)
Anthony Tohill (Swatragh)
Gerard Cavlan (Dungannon)
Brian McGuigan (Ardboe)
Oisin McConville (Crossmaglen)
Steven McDonnell (Killeavy)
Benny Coulter (Mayobridge)
Manus Boyle (Killybegs)
It really is a farce...Bellaghy won it twice and don't even have a nomination...some wind up. For instance in the second final David O'Neill marked Ger Cavlan and completely snuffed him it of it. Ballinderry have won it twice or three times and not a player from them make the team onmost selections...the fun continues. Out of all the players nominated and those deing picked at 18 yrs of age, the only player on the list who was a real star for his age was Mc Nicholl. At 18 theres not one player on that list would have been close to him...seriously he was that good at that age...dont forget heplayed against the Aussies, the same Aussies would made our men look like boys when at his last year in Magera. These awards are seriously flawed
Are Niall McCusker and Kevin McGuckin not from Ballinderry? :D
Moron.
I know they are...whats yer point
Moron indeed.
Quote from: Maximus Marillius on January 12, 2007, 10:31:57 AM
It really is a farce...Bellaghy won it twice and don't even have a nomination...some wind up. For instance in the second final David O'Neill marked Ger Cavlan and completely snuffed him it of it.
Each club who participated in the competition were asked to nominate players from their teams - if David O'Neill for instance was not nominated then the fault lies fairly and squarely with the ones we all fear.
From the original list of nominations, available on the St Paul's website, it can be seen that the only Bellaghy player originally nominated was one Joseph Cassidy. This nomination could have come from the Bellaghy club or from someone taking the piss, I don't know. Would Joe have made the list ahead of many of the other forwards listed, or indeed any of the forwards listed? I think not.
Isn't that editing wile handy Max, unfortunately Slim didn't quote you original statement in his post.
you say Cavan Gaels got to 3 finals and are hard done by in only getting 2 nominations?? Armagh Harps got to the final 2 years in a row and won it in 2003, yet they didint even get a single nomination!!
It all depends on the criteria...as a minor yes ...as a senior for 2/3 yes....as a senior career...no. is there a set criteria for selection unto team...if it is not based on what happened on the shaws road....whats the point of it...St Pauls telling some players...ah sure we thought he had a great career after ye left minors, which had feck all to do with us, but heres the award anyway.
Like all of these things, this will be picked on career achievements and not their performances in the tournamant they're being picked for participating in. the first indicator is the nomination of john mc at half forward. john never kicked a ball further up the field than midfield til he was well out of minor.
edit:
also, whilst avery solid performer, francie never stood out at that level.
my team would be
Benny tierney
kieran mc keever
francie bellew
chris lawn
aaron kernan
barry monaghan
paul mc flynn
anthony tohill
cormac mc anallgerard cavlan
brian mc guigan
oisin mc conville
joe brolly
ronan clarke
stevie mc donell
If any of ye detractors had bothered reading the selection criteria there might be less moaning from ye, if ye want the awards to be based on performances in the competition itself, then set up your own awards (and as ye rightly say, that would be an impossible task).
QuoteSelection was based on their success throughout their playing career, not only their contribution at minor level. We asked individuals and clubs to nominate players for inclusion in the team.
This is farcical. Number 1 , Iam not nominated :P, number 2 we have got probably the most nominations and never even won it. FFs, the year we won the Armagh championship, the Loup put us out int the first round! Anyway, anything to get something some publicity.
For those who obviously haven't read the selection criteria:
Quote from: never kickt a ball on January 11, 2007, 09:18:04 PM
Selection was based on their success throughout their playing career, not only their contribution at minor level. We asked individuals and clubs to nominate players for inclusion in the team.
Quote from: brokencrossbar1 on January 12, 2007, 01:07:10 PM
This is farcical. Number 1 , Iam not nominated :P, number 2 we have got probably the most nominations and never even won it. FFs, the year we won the Armagh championship, the Loup put us out int the first round! Anyway, anything to get something some publicity.
BC spotty dog. It is almost cringe worthy
It is just a back-slapping exercise
The team is already almost picked - it's not being selected in the Allstars manner of a player being able to fill any forward position, ie 18 players vying for the 6 forward slots, instead it's 3 nominations per position:
Hearty
McKeever
Bellew
Mallon
Kernan
Cunningham
McGowan
Tohill
McAnallen
McNicholl
McGuigan
McConville
Brolly
Clarke
McEntee (T)/ Manus Boyle
Just an after thought, surely the Downey's and McGurks must have played in this?? (the halfback selections are poor)
I also agree that the half back selections are very poor
As a side show to this farce...how many of bogballs team actually have a winners medal
ONes who dont I think
Hearty
Mc keever
Bellew
Kieran
Tohill
Mc Anallen
Mc Nicholl
Mc Guigan
Mc Conville
Brolley
Mc Entee
Lavey took part in it in 1983 with both Henry Downey, John Mc Gurk and seasmus Downey all playing...flawed...cringe worthy!
Quote from: Maximus Marillius on January 12, 2007, 01:28:28 PM
Lavey took part in it in 1983 with both Henry Downey, John Mc Gurk and seasmus Downey all playing...flawed...cringe worthy!
Ah now Max, you'd think when you were in nominating your cousin you'd have noticed that Lavey had won Derry in '83 and '84 and had no nominations, even though Henry, Jim and the McGurks had all played.
Obviously a bit of problem with computer literacy about Lavey!!
more to do with memory, you helped jog it it. The difference between Lavey and us was...we won the two tournaments outright. Henry downey at CHB...should have been a cake walk...a farce...cringe worthy
given some of your suggestions for the half back line, and most stating that it is poor area, what about francis mceldowney who played for a winning slaughtneil team 98-99 and losing final in 99-00 who also has been one of derrys most consistant defenders in the last couple seasons, marking likes of dooher, hasset, cavanaghan etc out of few games
Quote from: peepy on January 12, 2007, 02:39:51 PM
given some of your suggestions for the half back line, and most stating that it is poor area, what about francis mceldowney who played for a winning slaughtneil team 98-99 and losing final in 99-00 who also has been one of derrys most consistant defenders in the last couple seasons, marking likes of dooher, hasset, cavanaghan etc out of few games
Marking Dooher out of the game??? Must have missed that one myself!
Quote from: Bogball XV on January 12, 2007, 02:00:39 PM
Quote from: Maximus Marillius on January 12, 2007, 01:28:28 PM
Lavey took part in it in 1983 with both Henry Downey, John Mc Gurk and seasmus Downey all playing...flawed...cringe worthy!
Ah now Max, you'd think when you were in nominating your cousin you'd have noticed that Lavey had won Derry in '83 and '84 and had no nominations, even though Henry, Jim and the McGurks had all played.
Obviously a bit of problem with computer literacy about Lavey!!
You will also have noted that no team represented Derry in the competition in 1983 because the Derry county minor final was played after St. Paul's tournament began. I wouldn't like to take a bet on the fact that Lavey actually played in 84 either.
Saffron should that really matter considering the really flawed criteria being used..ie...it doesnt matter how ye performed as a minor or even if you won here...its about what you did somewhere else ???
Peepy, francis mceldowney is up against A Kernan and Cathal Murray for RHB, I think Kernan has a reasonable chance of taking that, although he has never marked Dooher et. al out of a game!!
SS2, you are correct, the game was played in Jan 84, because Derry had won the All Ireland minor that year - I remember it now - possibly played in Kilrea from the image I can recall!! I don't know if they competed in '84 or not, but you're right, it wasn't held in the esteem that Derry clubs now hold it in back then.
As a matter of interest, do other counties place much emphasis on it? I ask because there have been so few Tyrone winners (I think), and Tyrone have obviously been the strongest at underage level for the past 15yrs.
Any competition takes a while to get off the ground properly and it was certainly the case here. In the early years the teams from Fermanagh and the free state would have played in one half of the draw in Enniskillen and the other five teams would have gone to St. Paul's, hence the large gaps in the names of the teams who actually competed.
It seems to be held in very high esteem by the clubs currently taking part, another bragging right I suppose; however in my experience it is more the committee men and club members (rather than the players) who hold in high esteem. The players themselves have more important things to do over Christmas and the New Year.
With regards to the actual All-Stars, not sure there is much merit in the whole process, it is simply being used to highlight the 25th year and there is a large amount of self-congratulations involved in the whole process.
as already stated this all sar selection is a farce,as twice winners you would of thought we would of had a couple of men make the last 45 and before you say your whole career is taken into consideration well then tell me why karl diamond didnt make the 45?his honours read like this:1 all ireland senior,1 all ireland minor,1 u/21 ulster,1 senior ulster,2 minor ulster,2 mcrory cup,all ireland fresher,2 ulster club minor,5 county senior c'ships,2 ulster club senior,college all star,played for ulster.now tell me the selection is not a joke.
p.s someone stated bellaghy did not nominate,total bullshit,10 players were nominated 29/12/06 including karl diamond
Quote from: Bogball XV on January 12, 2007, 02:58:53 PM
Peepy, francis mceldowney is up against A Kernan and Cathal Murray for RHB, I think Kernan has a reasonable chance of taking that, although he has never marked Dooher et. al out of a game!!
Considering Mc Eldowney has a winners medal might have given him an advantage....or i am I just to stupid for this thread >:(
Are you some sort of stato Drumanee, or how do you every single honour Karl D has won?
I think he knows because of all those big game programmes he collected with Bellaghy;)
Quote from: shady character on January 12, 2007, 03:31:19 PM
Are you some sort of stato Drumanee, or how do you every single honour Karl D has won?
it's not every day a player from your club wins all ireland and ulster medals,pretty easy to remember,could list johnny mcgurkes too if you like
maximus marillus spot on though idea of this was all stars for the competition itself and then what they did after this, which must mean francis mceldowney would be well ahead of the other two considering winning one and losing in final of other, played few more games than those other two i think. ps cathal murray is from which club/county
I'll try that...just in footie School--- 2 Mac Rorys,County--- Ulster minor, 2 Ulster u21, 2 Ulster senior, 1 All Ireland, 3 National Legues. Club---1 minor football, 4 senior championship, 2 ulster clubs, 1 All Ireland and 1 All Star
well drum...am i close
Quote from: Maximus Marillius on January 12, 2007, 03:40:24 PM
I'll try that...just in footie School--- 2 Mac Rorys,County--- Ulster minor, 2 Ulster u21, 2 Ulster senior, 1 All Ireland, 3 National Legues. Club---1 minor football, 4 senior championship, 2 ulster clubs, 1 All Ireland and 1 All Star
well drum...am i close
not far away he also won allireland minor 1983,forgot karl has 2 national leagues as well 95,96 i think
Your right...
Quote from: peepy on January 12, 2007, 03:39:19 PM
idea of this was all stars for the competition itself and then what they did after this, which must mean francis mceldowney would be well ahead of the other two considering winning one and losing in final of other,
Peepy, that is not the idea of it at all, it's as everyone has stated - a back slapping exercise, designed to get the great players of the past 25 yrs (who also happened to play in the St. Pauls tournament) together for a big photie with all the St Pauls lads and bank officials around them.
Drumanee, whilst I think Karl does deserve to be nominated ahead of some of the current nominees, i don't think he deserves an award based on what else he achieved on the football field, for my money he was never the player we thought he would be - he never really held down a spot on the derry senior side, and whilst good for Bellaghy, was never the integral player for ye.
Ref Karl, he also won 2 Hogan cups, a remarkable fact considering that only three schools in the entire history of the comp have won two in a row. Karl should have walked onto the team
Drumanee, whilst I think Karl does deserve to be nominated ahead of some of the current nominees, i don't think he deserves an award based on what else he achieved on the football field, for my money he was never the player we thought he would be - he never really held down a spot on the derry senior side, and whilst good for Bellaghy, was never the integral player for ye.
Quote
thats my point bog,you should not be get an award based on what else you achieved on the football field if you are calling it THE ST PAULS ALL STAR TEAM.even so karl was up there when bellaghy won our first title.
have to disagree about not being an integral part for us,along with quinn,cassidy had alot of influence both on and off the field and when thing were getting tough along with the men mentioned he came to the fore
Quotemaximus marillus spot on though idea of this was all stars for the competition itself and then what they did after this, which must mean francis mceldowney would be well ahead of the other two considering winning one and losing in final of other, played few more games than those other two i think. ps cathal murray is from which club/county
Cathal Murray is from Clonduff/Down. He is currently the manager of St Colman's College MacRory team.