Kerry face blackout as Donegal dominate
The Kingdom’s difficulties in this year’s Championship, culminating in defeats by Cork and Donegal, are summed up by the solitary nomination of Colm Cooper in the 45 strong list.
Forward Cooper would appear an outside shot for inclusion but even if he does pick up his eighth award it will be only the second time in nine seasons that they have just one gong.
Kerry clearly have improvements to make under new manager Eamon Fitzmaurice, but the picture is far healthier for new All-Ireland champions Donegal.
Unsurprisingly, Jim McGuinness’ side top the list of nominations with 12.
And what’s certain is that a Donegal player will be named Footballer of the Year in succession to Alan Brogan as all three nominees – Karl Lacey, Colm McFadden and Frank McGlynn – are from the county.
It’s yet another glowing endorsement of the incredible achievement of the back-to-back Ulster champions who are in a great position to pick up awards in all lines of the pitch.
Their greatest threat in this regard may come in the keenly contested goalkeeper category where Mayo’s David Clarke has strong credentials.
But they are poised to clean up, generally, in defence with all of their six backs gaining nominations in the full-back and half-back lines.
Beaten All-Ireland finalists Mayo have 10 nominations, including one for skipper Andy Moran who missed the semi-final and final with cruciate knee ligament damage.
The Connacht champions may be annoyed that both Donal Vaughan and Michael Conroy have been overlooked.
Cork are next up on seven, although after failing to advance beyond the semi-final stage are unlikely to match their gains of 2009 and 2010 when they received multiple awards. Typically, the long-list will spark great debate with Cork believing that goalkeeper Alan Quirke and perhaps even Graham Canty were worthy contenders.
Likewise, Kerry will make their own case for midfielder Anthony Maher, who enjoyed a relatively successful campaign, while, in Connacht, Adrian Marren was Sligo’s standout forward but goes unrewarded.
Just like in the senior category, a Donegal player has been nominated for Young Player of the Year, Paddy McBrearty, though he faces stiff competition from Meath defender Donal Keogan and Mayo’s Cillian O’Connor.
As for the surprise inclusions in the 45-man list, Rory O’Carroll and Michael Quinn in defence may be seen as marginal calls.
And though Brendan Quigley impressed for Laois at midfield, his selection there ahead of Meath’s Graham Reilly, who played at midfield but is named in the half-forwards, will raise eyebrows.
Meanwhile, All-Ireland winning Dublin minor manager Dessie Farrell will be asked this week to take over the county’s U21 team.
The Gaelic Players Association chief and ex-Dublin forward has been tipped for some time to fill the vacancy left by new senior boss Jim Gavin.
However, county officials made a point of not contacting anyone about the U21 role until Gavin’s senior appointment was rubberstamped at Monday night’s county board meeting.
“I would expect to be speaking to Dessie over the next few days,” confirmed Dublin chairman Andy Kettle. “I wouldn’t like to put pressure on the man. In fact, Dessie Farrell is not a man who you can put pressure on but we’ll do it face to face.”
Presuming that Farrell steps up, then Dublin’s senior and U21 teams will begin the 2013 seasons in the envious positions of having All-Ireland winning managers on board.
Gavin guided the county U21 team to success earlier this year and was the only man in the frame for the senior job vacated by Pat Gilroy after their All-Ireland semi-final defeat to Mayo.
“Jim Gavin was always going to be our preference but it’s a huge job and it had to suit Jim the same as it had to suit us,” continued Kettle.
“Yes, he’s agreed to come on board and he was unanimously ratified at our county board meeting which indicates that all the clubs around the county are behind Jim.”
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
