2016 All Stars

[yellowcard]

Surprised they didn't go with Acheson or Brennan for the 2nd midfield slot.

I agree, I thought Brennan certainly deserved it before Donnelly. Donnelly is a strong athlete who gets on the end of things and kicks points which can be eye catching but I don't think he was particularly outstanding as a midfielder. 

[Aristo 60]

2016 GAA/GPA Opel All Star football team

1. David Clarke (Mayo)

2. Brendan Harrison (Mayo)

3. Jonny Cooper (Dublin)

4. Philly McMahon (Dublin)

5. Lee Keegan (Mayo)

6. Colm Boyle (Mayo)

7. Ryan McHugh (Donegal)

8. Brian Fenton (Dublin)

9. Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone)

10. Peter Harte (Tyrone)

11. Diarmuid Connolly (Dublin)

12. Ciaran Kilkenny (Dublin)

13. Dean Rock (Dublin)

14. Michael Quinlivan (Tipperary)

15. Paul Geaney (Kerry)

Put them all on Skellig Michael and make them fight it out Hunger Games style - call it a winners handicap - sure to increase other county's competitiveness going forward - rinse and repeat every year.

great viewing figures for Sky/RTE in the off season.

what's not to like?

[The Hill is Blue]

Boyle instead of O'Sullivan  . All Stars bit of a nonsense really but good talking points

As they say,  OSullivan couldn't lace Boyles boots.

O'Sullivan has four Senior All Ireland medals. How many has Boyle?

[BennyCake]

How any of you are questioning Connolly's selection is beyond belief, he was an absolute cert and is by far the best footballer in country. Rock also developed from a nonentity in open play to a valuable contributor and fully deserves his too. Durcan very unlucky but wouldn't have been in the running before the last few games so maybe a fair call.

Connolly is potentially the best forward in the country. He hasn't achieved that potential though. He was very quiet in the 3 big games that mattered. His name got him an all star.

[Zulu]

Couldn't agree Benny. He was excellent in the drawn game, albeit defending more than attacking but the amount of tackles he made and turnovers he got was amazing. The thing about half forwards (forwards in general I suppose) is that it's very difficult now to play eye-catchingly anymore. Half back is where it's at, loads of bodies back to help you out defending and retreating opposition forwards mean you get plenty of ball and the freedom to attack.

People who say Connolly doesn't do it against the big teams miss the point IMO. He does a huge amount of work, tackling, tracking back etc. but he doesn't get credit for it and is said to have played poorly if he doesn't kick 3 outrageous points. IMO he rarely has a bad day despite getting special treatment and being man marked (often illegally) by the opponents best defender.

I'd have him on the team before all the other forwards based on performances this year.

[J70]

Boyle instead of O'Sullivan  . All Stars bit of a nonsense really but good talking points

As they say,  OSullivan couldn't lace Boyles boots.

O'Sullivan has four Senior All Ireland medals. How many has Boyle?

Therefore O'Sullivan is a better player??

[Canalman]

Congrats to all winners.

Could quibble about the odd selection here and there but by and large all winners deserving.

Thought Cian O'Sullivan would have got one but his one high profile clanger against Donegal probably cost him. Same with Cluxton and the Kerry game. By no means a travesty though that they missed out imo.

POTY a toss up imo between Fenton and Keegan and either one would deserve it with the other very unlucky.

[imtommygunn]

To be fair to O'Sullivan he is one of few players dublin would really struggle to replace however I don't think this year was his best year.

[tonto1888]

Boyle instead of O'Sullivan  . All Stars bit of a nonsense really but good talking points

As they say,  OSullivan couldn't lace Boyles boots.

O'Sullivan has four Senior All Ireland medals. How many has Boyle?

Therefore O'Sullivan is a better player??

IMO he is but not for that reason

[Il Bomber Destro]

I didn't think Boyle was very good this year, he is quite rash and undisciplined. Durcan was much more deserving of one but obviously they decided against fitting sqare pegs into round holes this year.

[Never beat the deeler]

I didn't think Boyle was very good this year, he is quite rash and undisciplined. Durcan was much more deserving of one but obviously they decided against fitting sqare pegs into round holes this year.

How do you mean? They were both half backs all year

[ZeitChrist]

I don't think it's as close a call between Keegan and Fenton as some people are saying. Keegan is the best player in the country, hands down. He deserves the award and it's not even close.

Kilkenny shouldn't even be in contention.

[yellowcard]

I think they went for Boyle as he was the populist's choice since he was a name. However Durcan deserved it in front of Boyle and I'd have had O'sullivan ahead of Boyle also for that matter. Similar with McHugh (although he had a strong case for one), his family name done him no harm and Donnelly edged out Brennan/Acheson unfairly imo because of his name also. As with all subjective awards, there is political manoeuvring in these selections but I wouldn't take them too seriously. Look what happened McMahon last year when he should have lifted POTY but they give it to McCaffrey instead because of media image.

As for POTY I imagine Keegan will get it and deservedly so imo. However as with mcMahon last year, it wouldn't overly surprise me if it goes to the more clean cut image of Fenton.

[Il Bomber Destro]

I didn't think Boyle was very good this year, he is quite rash and undisciplined. Durcan was much more deserving of one but obviously they decided against fitting sqare pegs into round holes this year.

How do you mean? They were both half backs all year

I would view centre back as a more specialist position than a wing back, the traditional view would be a 6 holds ground while the wing backs are allowed freedom to roam forward.

[Il Bomber Destro]

I think they went for Boyle as he was the populist's choice since he was a name. However Durcan deserved it in front of Boyle and I'd have had O'sullivan ahead of Boyle also for that matter. Similar with McHugh (although he had a strong case for one), his family name done him no harm and Donnelly edged out Brennan/Acheson unfairly imo because of his name also. As with all subjective awards, there is political manoeuvring in these selections but I wouldn't take them too seriously. Look what happened McMahon last year when he should have lifted POTY but they give it to McCaffrey instead because of media image.

As for POTY I imagine Keegan will get it and deservedly so imo. However as with mcMahon last year, it wouldn't overly surprise me if it goes to the more clean cut image of Fenton.

Ryan McHugh was a cert for me, he was immense in pretty much every game he played this year and you like who Donegal played in Championship football this year - Fermanagh, Monaghan x2, Tyrone and Dublin. I think he should have his third all star in a row if things weren't as political as they are.

Donnelly is quite fortunate, he had guys like Acheson and Brennan up against him here from two lesser counties and Brennan in particular was superb this year.