DONEGAL’S All-Ireland winning team has received the most nominations for this year’s All Stars – with an incredible TWELVE nominations.
A total of twelve counties are represented amongst the 45 nominees.
But Donegal top the list with 12, followed by Mayo who have ten.
The 12 Donegal players nominated are goalkeeper Paul Durcan, full backs Eamon McGee, Neil McGee, and Paddy McGrath, half backs Karl Lacey, Frank McGlynn, and Anthony Thompson, midfielders Neil Gallagher and Rory Kavanagh, half forward Mark McHugh, and full forwards Colm McFadden and team captain Michael Murphy.
It could be a record-breaking All Star list.
And it is now certain that the Footballer of the Year will be a Donegal player – with Karl Lacey, Colm McFadden and Frank McGlynn on the three man shortlist.
Lacey could pick up his fourth All Star, to add to those he won in 2006, 2009 and 2011.
In the Young Footballer of the Year shortlist Paddy McBrearty will compete for the award with Meath’s Donal Keogan and Mayo’s Cillian O’Connor.
The 2012 All Star football team will be announced on Wednesday, October 24th. The All Star award ceremony will take place that Friday evening, October 26th.
Here are the 45 nominees for GAA/GPA 2012 All Star Team:
Tags:Goalkeepers: David Clarke (Mayo); Stephen Cluxton (Dublin); Paul Durcan (Donegal).
Full Backs: Eoin Cadogan (Cork); Ger Cafferkey (Mayo); Keith Higgins (Mayo); Donal Keogan (Meath); Eamon McGee (Donegal); Neil McGee (Donegal); Paddy McGrath (Donegal); Rory O’Carroll (Dublin); Michael Shields (Cork).
Half backs: Emmet Bolton (Kildare); Colm Boyle (Mayo); Adrian Flynn (Wexford); Lee Keegan (Mayo); Karl Lacey (Donegal); Frank McGlynn (Donegal); Kevin Nolan (Dublin); Michael Quinn (Longford); Anthony Thompson (Donegal).
Midfielders: Neil Gallagher (Donegal); Rory Kavanagh (Donegal); Barry Moran (Mayo); Aidan O’Shea (Mayo); Brendan Quigley (Laois); Aidan Walsh (Cork).
Half Forwards: Paul Barden (Longford); Alan Dillon (Mayo); Paul Flynn (Dublin); Paul Kerrigan (Cork); Michael Darragh Macauley (Dublin); Mark McHugh (Donegal); Kevin McLoughlin (Mayo); Graham Reilly (Meath); Ciarán Sheehan (Cork).
Full forwards: Bernard Brogan (Dublin); Jamie Clarke (Armagh); Colm Cooper (Kerry); Conor Laverty (Down); Colm McFadden (Donegal); Andy Moran (Mayo); Michael Murphy (Donegal); Donncha O’Connor (Cork); Colm O’Neill (Cork).