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.