Many GAA pundits and supporters have been left surprised after Donegal star Karl Lacey was left out of the nominees for this year’s GAA footballer of the year award.
Dublin’s duo Stephen Cluxton and Alan Brogan are nominated along with Kerry forward Darran O’Sullivan.
Karl also hasn’t been named in the International Rules squad. He had been injured however.
But there is some good news for Donegal.
Kilcar’s Mark McHugh is among the youth football nominees along with Dublin’s James McCarthy and Mayo’s Cillian O’Connor.
Other hurling award nominees include Donegal’s Niall Campbell and Tyrone’s Damian Maguire in the Lory Meagher Cup player of the year section.
Lacey, who is an almost certain to pick up an All-Star, produced an outstanding year for Donegal and appears unlucky not to be in contention for the senior footballer award.
However, Dubs keeper Cluxton forced himself into the picture with his scoring heroics during the closing stages of the championship.
Brogan’s fine All-Ireland final display appears to have swung the selection committee while O’Sullivan did have a superb year for the Kingdom.
Nominees
Footballer
Alan Brogan (Dublin)
Darran O’Sullivan (Kerry)
Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)
Young Footballer
Cillian O’Connor (Mayo)
James McCarthy (Dublin)
Mark McHugh (Donegal)
Hurler
Michael Fennelly (Kilkenny)
Padraic Maher (Tipperary)
Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny)
Young Hurler
Liam Rushe (Dublin)
Declan Hannon (Limerick)
Pauric Mahony (Waterford)
Christy Ring Cup Player
Shane Nolan (Kerry)
Eamon Kearns (Wicklow)
Nicky Rackard Cup Player
Martin Finn (London)
David Dunne (Louth)
Lory Meagher Cup Player
Niall Campbell (Donegal)
Damian Maguire (Tyrone)
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