If the All Stars were picked today...
Only one performance in the subsequent three games was convincing enough to alter the attack — and it wasn’t Colm Cooper’s.
Yes, the Kerry captain’s virtuoso performance against Mayo has put him in the reckoning but not sufficiently to dislodge any of the full-forward line, especially after what had been just a decent season for him before the semi-final.
Before the semi-finals, Michael Murphy was chosen, the rare sword to complement Donegal’s shield and a gem in their Ulster glory, but Bernard Brogan’s fortitude and presence of mind against Murphy’s county was another level up from his fine exploits in the win over Tyrone.
Brother Alan deservedly earned three man-of-the-match awards for Dublin’s Leinster games and had telling contributions against Tyrone and Donegal, while Andy Moran was consistently excellent for Mayo.
Behind them, Paul Flynn and Declan O’Sullivan didn’t have memorablesemi-finals but their displays didn’t detract from what have been marvellous seasons and Declan’s namesake Darran will rival Brogan for the Footballer of the Year award.
As for midfield, Kildare’s Hugh Lynch and Cork’s Alan O’Connor did plenty and John Doyle thrived in his new position but all had truncated campaigns.
After leading Tyrone through the qualifier minefield, Seán Cavanagh is favoured but could find himself threatened after Sunday.
For the moment, he is selected alongside Bryan Sheehan, who has been marginally better than Doyle as a reformed midfielder.
In the half-back line, Tomás Ó Sé shrugged off his Munster suspension to put glittering back-to-back displays against Limerick and Mayo to merit inclusion.
On his left shoulder, Karl Lacey could also have been chosen in the full-back line but his role on the 40 this year added another string to his bow.
Kevin Cassidy loses out to Kevin Nolan as the Kilmacud Crokes man has gained stature as the season has developed.
In the full-back line, three full-backs are chosen although Rory O’Carroll, Tom O’Sullivan and Cian O’Sullivan could yet change matters.
Hugh McGrillen is also worthy of a mention.
Marc Ó Sé and Neil McGee had their poorest games of the year last day out but both had put together massive bodies of work to support their claims before performances. The same goes for Kildare’s Michael Foley.
In goal, Dublin number one Stephen Cluxton gets the nod ahead of the Kingdom’s Brendan Kealy, whose shot-stopping has been noteworthy even if he still looks susceptible under high ball.
Shane Connolly, Rob Hennelly and Paul Durkan all had fine championships too but Cluxton’s restarts are as important to Dublin as ever while it cannot be stressed enough that he is currently Dublin’s third highest scorer this championship.
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