Ciarán Kilkenny deserves to join Cluxton and co. with Player of the Year recognition

Cluxton, Brian Fenton, Jack McCaffrey, Michael Darragh Macauley, and the two Brogans, Alan and Bernard, have all been deemed to be the game's best players this last ten years

Dublin’s Sean Bugler and Ciaran Kilkenny celebrate. Picture: INPHO/Ryan Byrne

All-Ireland finals have a habit of transforming supporting actors into bona fide stars.

Shane O'Donnell emerged from the shadows with the 3-3 he scored for Clare against Cork in the replayed hurling decider in 2013. Eoin Murchan introduced himself to the nation at large with his crucial goal against Kerry in the second of the football finals last year.