Kerry and Cork dominate GPA football team of year

The official Opel GPA Team of the Year for Football has been announced by the Gaelic Players' Association.

The team reflects the most successful counties in this year's Football Championship, with 15 players hailing from three different counties - Kerry, Cork and Kildare.

All-Ireland champions Kerry have eight representatives - Diarmuid Murphy, Marc Ó Sé, Tomás Ó Sé, Tom O'Sullivan, Seamus Scanlon, Paul Galvin, Declan O'Sullivan and Tommy Walsh.

Losing All-Ireland finalists and Munster champions Cork have six players included - Michael Shields, Graham Canty, John Miskella, Pearse O'Neill, Paddy Kelly and Daniel Goulding.

The remaining place on the 2009 Opel GPA Team of the Year for Football is filled by Kildare's veteran midfielder Dermot Earley.

Commenting on the announcement, Chairman of the Football Selection Committee Martin McHugh said: "Congratulations to the 15 winners who have been recognised by their fellow players for their contribution to the 2009 season.

"On the football committee, we selected who we felt were the three most deserving nominees for each position and the players then had the final say.

"While competition for some positions was obviously fierce it is a unique and wonderful achievement to be honoured by your peers."

Dessie Farrell, Chief Executive of the Gaelic Players' Association, said: "The dominance of Cork and Kerry was the feature of this year's Championship and this is reflected in the Opel GPA Football Team of 2009.

"I would like to congratulate the winners chosen by the players but I know the 15 players selected will be the first to point to the quality of the nominees battling for each position as well as the contribution of their team mates throughout the year.

"Thanks to Martin McHugh and our selection committee and thanks to Opel for their outstanding support of the player awards."

2009 OPEL GAELIC TEAM OF THE YEAR FOR FOOTBALL:

1. Diarmuid Murphy (Kerry)

2. Marc Ó Sé (Kerry)

3. Michael Shields (Cork)

4. Tom O'Sullivan (Kerry)

5. Tomás Ó Sé (Kerry)

6. Graham Canty (Cork)

7. John Miskella (Cork)

8. Dermot Earley (Kildare)

9. Seamus Scanlon (Kerry)

10. Paul Galvin (Kerry)

11. Pearse O'Neill (Cork)

12. Paddy Kelly (Cork)

13. Daniel Goulding (Cork)

14. Declan O'Sullivan (Kerry)

15. Tommy Walsh (Kerry)

NOMINEES FOR OPEL GPA PLAYER OF THE YEAR FOR FOOTBALL:

Tomás Ó Sé (Kerry), Paul Galvin (Kerry)