All-Ireland champions Donegal lead the field with eight players on the GAA GPA Football All-Star team for 2012.
The county’s outstanding campaign sees them represented in every line of the field, from back to front.
Beaten All-Ireland finalists Mayo occupy four places and there are also positions for Cork (2), and Dublin (1).
Donegal are represented on every line of the side, with 10 first time winners in all on the team.
Paul Durcan was named in goal, with county teammate Neil McGee and Mayo duo Ger Cafferkey and Keith Higgins in front of him.
The half-back line was made up of the Heather County’s Lee Keegan and Donegal’s Karl Lacey and Frank McGlynn.
Glenswilly man Neil Gallagher and Cork’s Aidan Walsh occupy the midfield spots, with Dublin’s Paul Flynn joined by Alan Dillon and Mark McHugh in the half-forwards.
Another Cork man, Colm O’Neill, was joined by Michael Murphy and Colm McFadden on the full-forward line.
The champions’ haul sees them beat their previous best of seven back in 1992 when the father and uncle of Mark McHugh, Martin and James, were both selected.
GAA president Liam Ó Néill said today: “After the honour of winning an All-Ireland medal I know how much store our players place on winning these awards. They acknowledge individual excellence and are accolades that are cherished long after playing days end.
“I heartily congratulate those who have made the selection and I hope it inspires them to challenge for future honours both as individuals but also as team players.
“A special word of thanks is also due to Dessie Farrell and the GPA as this joint scheme in its second year continues to go from strength to strength.”
GPA chief Dessie Farrell added: “Congratulations to the 15 footballers chosen on this year’s GAA GPA All-Star team sponsored by Opel.
“While players understand the importance of the collective effort of a team it is nonetheless a very prestigious honour for the individual footballer to be recognised for his consistent contribution to that effort during the season. Unsurprisingly the selection is dominated by Donegal after their extraordinary year which yielded the county’s second All-Ireland in most impressive fashion.”
Donegal player Eamon McGee – brother of All Star Neil – paid tribute to his teammates.
“It’s a great achievement,” he said, “I’m particularly pleased for Neil Gallagher.”
Donegal goalkeeping coach Pat Shovelin was over the moon for keeper Paul Durcan and joked: “It was those normal warm-up routines that won it.”
The hurling team and the Player of the Year in both football and hurling will be announced on Friday during a live broadcast on RTÉ One from the Convention Centre in Dublin. The programme starts at 7.00pm.
2012 GAA GPA Football All-Stars sponsored by Opel
Goalkeeper: Paul Durcan (Donegal)
Full-backs: Neil McGee (Donegal), Ger Cafferkey (Mayo), Keith Higgins (Mayo) Half-back line: Lee Keegan (Mayo), Karl Lacey (Donegal), Frank McGlynn (Donegal)
Midfield: Neil Gallagher, Aidan Walsh
Half-forward line: Paul Flynn (Dublin), Alan Dillon (Mayo), Mark McHugh (Donegal) Full-forward line: Colm O’Neill (Cork), Michael Murphy (Donegal), Colm McFadden (Donegal)
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