GAA: Galway win six All-Stars

All-Ireland champions Galway have secured six awards at the All-Stars gala banquet at the Citywest Hotel in Dublin.

The bulk of the awards went to the seasoned champs who have been finalists three times in the last four years.

Wing-back Declan Meehan also picked up the coveted Footballer of the Year award.

The Tribesmen collected six gongs - Declan Meehan, Sean Og de Paor, Kieran Fitzgerald, midfielder Kevin Walsh, and forwards Michael Donnellan and Padraig Joyce all getting the nod.

All-Ireland finalists Meath secured three awards - for back Darren Fay and forwards Evan Kelly and Ollie Murphy.

Graham Geraghty - previously thought to have been a favourite - was not named in the All-Star team.

The minnows of football were honoured also as Westmeath won their first ever All-Star through midfielder Rory O’Connell.

Kerry’s only All-Star this year went to forward Johnny Crowley.

The hurling awards were announced yesterday.

In hurling, Tipperary’s Eoin Kelly won the Young Hurler of the Year Award and Tipp’s captain Tommy Dunne took home the Hurler of the Year award.

Footballing All-Stars 2001:

Goalkeeper: Cormac O’Sullivan (Meath).

Defenders: Kieran Fitzgerald (Galway), Sean Og de Paor (Galway), Declan Meehan (Galway), Darren Fay (Meath), Coman Goggins (Dublin), Francie Grehan (Roscommon).

Midfield: Kevin Walsh (Galway), Rory O’Connell (Westmeath).

Forwards: Padraig Joyce (Galway), Michael Donnellan (Galway), Ollie Murphy (Meath), Evan Kelly (Meath), John Crowley (Kerry) and Stephen O’Neill (Tyrone).