Carey notable absentee from list of Allstar nominees

DJ CAREY, an award-winner for the ninth time last year, is a notable absentee from the list of nominees for the 2003 Vodafone GAA Allstars who were chosen in Dublin yesterday by a panel of national journalists.

Kilkenny's All-Ireland winning captain is one of three members of the double-winning side to be excluded, the others being defender James Ryall and midfielder Paddy Mullally. Championship runners-up Cork have 10 players nominated, among them brothers Seán Óg and Setanta Ó hAilpín, while midfielder Colin Lynch one of eight of the 2002 Allstars side is the sole Clare nominee.

Among five Tipperary players nominated are brothers Paul and Eoin Kelly, both award winners last year. And, the selection includes two players from Dublin, midfielder Conal Keaney (a member of the All-Ireland U21 football team against Tyrone) and forward Tomás McGrane.