The 2024 intercounty season – remember that? The split season has altered much of the GAA landscape but the PwC All Stars scheme has clung resolutely to the tail end of the calendar year.
Selectors will meet on Wednesday afternoon to finalise the list of nominees for both football and hurling. The 45 footballers nominated will be revealed on Thursday morning, with the 45 hurling nominees to be released on Friday.
The All-Stars banquet will take place in the RDS on Friday, November 1st, with the hurling team to be unveiled live on the night. The All-Stars football team will be named on Thursday, October 31st.
With Armagh’s footballers and Clare’s hurlers ending the year as All-Ireland champions in their respective codes, there are likely to be several first-time All Stars.
On the football front, Armagh this season won Sam Maguire for the first time since 2002. The Orchard County’s last All Star was Ronan Clarke, who picked up the second of his individual accolades in 2008.
In the list of 45 nominees last September, 2023 All-Ireland champions Dublin had 10 players.
Kerry, All-Ireland winners in 2022, had 12 players nominated after lifting Sam Maguire two years ago, while 2021 champions Tyrone had 15 players listed among the 45 that season.
So, going on those numbers, Kieran McGeeney’s Armagh will be hoping to reach double figures in terms of nominees when the 2024 list is revealed on Thursday.
However, unlike Tyrone (2021), Kerry (2022) and Dublin (2023), Armagh did not progress to the All-Ireland final as provincial champions – McGeeney’s side lost the Ulster final to Donegal after a penalty shootout this summer.
Still, Blaine Hughes is almost certain to be shortlisted among the three goalkeepers while Barry McCambridge, Aaron McKay and captain Aidan Forker will be hopeful of being nominated among the 18 defenders.
There will also be a total of six midfielders nominated and 18 forwards.
Last year, there were 13 different counties represented on the breakdown of 45 football nominees – which was the joint highest spread in 16 years. There were players from 11 different counties nominated in both 2021 and 2022.
Footballers who played in the Tailteann Cup this year will not be eligible for inclusion in the All Stars as there is a separate awards scheme in place for that competition.
Still, there should be a decent spread of counties again this term given the proliferation of games and exposure afforded to many teams during the group stages of the All-Ireland series.
In the goalkeeping department, the battle for the three nomination spots appears to be between five players – Kelly, Tyrone’s Niall Morgan, Donegal’s Shaun Patton, Galway’s Connor Gleeson and Kerry’s Shane Ryan.
Defensively, All-Ireland finalists Armagh and Galway have several strong shouts for inclusion – not only in the list of nominees but also on the eventual team – the likes of McCambridge, McKay, Johnny McGrath and Dylan McHugh.
But Donegal trio Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan and Ryan McHugh are also likely to be nominated in defence while Brian Stack must be in the running for inclusion in the 45 after an outstanding year at the heart of the Roscommon defence.
Louth’s flying wing back Craig Lennon and his defensive colleague Donal McKenny could also make the cut while Daniel O’Mahony was impressive for Cork in what was an otherwise ordinary enough season for the Rebels.
At midfield, Galway’s Paul Conroy appears nailed on for one of the two places on the team when it is named next month – so the other five nominations are a squabble between Crealey, Niall Grimley, John Maher, Brian Fenton, Michael Langan, Kerry’s Diarmuid O’Connor and Louth’s Tommy Durnin.
Up front appears to be lighter on options this season than elsewhere – though the likes of Rian O’Neill, Conor Turbitt, Oisín Conaty and possibly Rory Grugan should get nomination nods for Armagh.
Rob Finnerty is probably Galway’s best shot at gaining a place on the actual team in attack, though the selectors could choose to nominate his county colleague Maher among the 18 forwards rather than at midfield.
The 18 forward nominees might also be the area where league champions Derry earn an inclusion, given the consistent form of Ethan Doherty during a difficult championship for the Oak Leafers.
Armagh's Dominance: A Reflection of Their Success
Armagh's impressive showing in the nominations is a testament to their triumphant 2024 season, culminating in their first Sam Maguire since 2002. The Orchard County's 11 nominees highlight their collective strength and individual brilliance throughout the year.
Among the 11 Armagh players nominated, Barry McCambridge stands out as a strong contender for the prestigious Footballer of the Year award. His contributions as a defender were instrumental in Armagh's victory, and his leadership on the field earned him recognition as a key player.
A Look at the Other Nominees
While Armagh might be the dominant force in this year's nominations, other counties are also well-represented. Notably, Galway, the runners-up in the All-Ireland final, secured eight nominations, demonstrating their consistent performance throughout the season. Galway's Paul Conroy and John Maher join McCambridge in the race for Footballer of the Year.
A Look Ahead
The unveiling of the full list of nominees will be a significant event for the GAA. It will not only highlight the individual talents that shone brightly during the season but also provide a glimpse into the potential make-up of the eventual All-Stars teams. The announcement is sure to generate excitement among GAA fans, as they anticipate the selection of the most deserving players in both football and hurling.
The upcoming All-Stars banquet is set to be a momentous occasion, celebrating the best of the best in Gaelic Games. The atmosphere is likely to be electric as the players, coaches, and fans come together to acknowledge the achievements of the past season and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead in 2025.
