Tyrone's magnificent seven

TYRONE’S biggest ever representation, seven, with Peter Canavan gaining a fifth award and six more among a group of 11 first-time winners, highlighted the announcement of the Vodafone GAA All Star footballers last night.

There was recognition for Laois after a 17-year gap through the inclusion of goalkeeper Fergal Byron, along with defenders Joe Higgins and Tom Kelly, while Tipperary's Declan Browne was named in an attack where he is the only non-Ulster forward.

All but five of the awards went to northern counties, with All-Ireland runners-up Armagh confined to two and Donegal captain Adrian Sweeney gaining the other.

And, while Steven McDonnell was chosen as the 'Footballer of the Year,' the accolade of 'Young Player of the Year' went to Tyrone midfielder Sean Cavanagh. And, Peter Canavan established an Ulster record by winning his fifth Allstar, joining a small group of footballers who have achieved this distinction.

Not unexpectedly, after having gained the GPA and Texaco awards (like McDonnell), young Kilkenny star JJ Delaney was chosen Hurler of the Year.

Setanta Ó hAilpín was the choice for Young Hurler of the Year. Both he and Delaney won Fitzgibbon Cup medals with WIT last season. Setanta missed last night's function as he is in Australia, and Sean Óg picked up his brother's award as well.

Setanta and Sean Óg were among seven hurlers chosen for the first time. And, the selection of Frank McGuigan's son Brian on the football team marked only the fifth father-and-son combination in both codes in the 31-year history of the scheme. Frank won an award in 1984, at full-forward.

Steven McDonnell and Peter Canavan were the only members of the 2002 football team to be picked. Apart from Declan Browne, Galway captain Kevin Walsh was the only previous award winner being chosen in 1998 and 2001.

Seven awards for Tyrone the highest for All-Ireland champions in four years is the biggest for the county since they had four players named in 1986. Laois were only once honoured previously, in 1986, when they won the National League final against Monaghan. That year, Colm Browne and Liam Irwin gained awards.

Apart from the seven first-time award winners in hurling, five players were honoured for the second time and goalkeeper Brendan Cummins, Henry Shefflin and Joe Deane each picked up a third award.

Four of the team, Michael Kavanagh, Derek Lyng, Martin Comerford and Shefflin, were All Stars last year.

Kilkenny's awards total is 116, while Kerry lead in football with 89.

Over 800 guests, headed by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern, GAA President Sean Kelly and Vodafone Chief Executive Paul Donovan, attended last night's banquet.