Éamonn Fitzmaurice: Football All-Star selection shows that the backs are back

The selection of Louth's Sam Mulroy will generate most debate. Did he have a better season than Conor O’Donnell or Rob Finnerty?

The full back line all of Brendan McCole, Jason Foley, and Seán Rafferty all excelled in man-marking roles at various stages this season. Pic: ©INPHO/Laszlo Geczo

“Winning an All-Ireland is amazing but to win an All-Star at the end of the year is unreal. It is the perfect year.” - Brian Fenton 

TRULY it is all about winning the All-Ireland, and always will be, but adding an All-Star to a Celtic Cross caps an already sublime season. A player from a county that can’t win the All-Ireland appreciates the individual award all the more. For them it is the pinnacle. A tremendous honour for a player, his family and club to be recognised as one of the best 15 players in Ireland in a given season. The Kerry team landing back from their team holiday to Nashville and Cancun this week will be more than satisfied with their haul of eight awards. The high number reflects their three prodigious Croke Park performances, and the fact they also won the League and Munster championship.