A fitting tribute to a Red Hand legend

FORGET that he gained his award at the expense of Brian McGuigan because no blame could be attached to Peter Canavan for the machinations of the allstar selectors.

What is beyond dispute is the enormous contribution Canavan made to Tyrone's All-Ireland success, arguably greater than he did as captain in their first triumph two years ago.

I have chosen him above several other stars of Gaelic games like Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, Colm Cooper and Henry Shefflin. Looking beyond the world of gaelic games, I would gladly have opted for top athlete Paula Radcliffe who epitomises everything that's good and wholesome about sport. And, because I delighted so much in her marathon victory at the world championships in Helsinki, after her embarrassing failure in last year's Olympics. However, I simply don't know enough to do her justice.