National Forum

Football All Stars

(Oldest Posts First) - Go To The Latest Post


Replying To cavanman47:  "Cluxton wasn't fully deserved at all.
Ryan and Beggan were both considerably better over the year."
Just having cluxton on the pitch was worth a few points alone in the all Ireland final.
I'm a big fan of kerry football but they hate playing teams who don't fear them and looking at him warming up beforehand would be enough to make a few of the kerry men nervous.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1942 - 18/11/2023 20:48:05    2513670

Link

Replying To BlueBeret:  "If Enda Smith ticks most of the boxes, as suggested by you, are you seriously thinking he will be leaving Roscommon to join Kilmacud Crokes?"
Are you comparing him to Shane Walsh who was playing with intermediate club in Galway and then jumped at the chance to play on All-Ireland senior contender team

Enda Smith playing with a senior club challenging for county titles reaching finals and his brother is managing the team.

Gaa_lover (USA) - Posts: 3487 - 18/11/2023 21:44:31    2513677

Link

Replying To fainleog:  "Stephen Cluxton fully deserved his selection. Most influential player on Dublin team. Conceded only one goal this year. Dublin would not have won the All-Ireland without him this year. All of his kick outs in the All Ireland final found a colleague this year. He scored two valuable points from frees in the final. The winning of the All-Ireland plus his attributes gives weighting to his selection this year. This is his seventh All Star award, he should have won more than this number."
I agree with all of that. He was fully deserving of his All-Star this year and should actually have won more.
I would have had Fenton as player of the year. He was very consistent and was came up very big at the most crucial stages.

WanPintWin (Galway) - Posts: 2187 - 18/11/2023 21:44:59    2513678

Link

Replying To summerof09:  "Cluxton
McCluskey
Fitzsimons
Tom O Sullivan
J McCarthy
McKinless
C McCarthy
Fenton
Rogers
P Clifford
O Shea
E Smith
D Clifford
McGuigan
Basquel

Cluxton fully deserved. Cant argue with defence and midfield. But seriously a Roscommon player makes the team? Sligo was all they beat in the All Ireland SFC??"
Enda Smith was fully deserving of his award, who would you put in his place this year? Maybe you didn't watch much of him but I have been to every Ros game this year and I can tell you he was never below an 8/10 and usually nearer 10/10. He was an inspirational leader for us and was named man of the match in 2 or 3 championship games. Enda Smith would make ANY inter county team in the country. Well done Enda, great achievement for him and his family.

D.Hyde (Roscommon) - Posts: 217 - 18/11/2023 22:20:33    2513685

Link

Replying To Claretandblue:  "Enda Smith was excellent all year, man of the match in two matches, influential in all their games, why begrudge him an All Star"
Smith stands out because he's a decent player on an average team.

crafty (Galway) - Posts: 257 - 19/11/2023 00:06:56    2513692

Link

Replying To wicklowsupport:  "It hasn't been a level playing final for the past twenty years. Nor is it an individual award, it is a team award for individuals with the top county teams. The original idea was to reward the best individual players in their position regardless of what team you played for. Now it has morphed into a selection confined to the all ireland semi finalists and finalist with an occassional player selected outside these teams. They even introduced a way to pick players in different positions so they didn't have to leave players they wanted out. You can be an outstanding player carrying your native county team singlehandedly and not be considered."
I'm being biased here but we had a player here Paul Barden who played for Longford for about 15 years and to watch this man in action was a sight to behold. He could d take on and rip through defence at lightening speed and bury the ball in the net or equally score as fine of long range points your likely to ever see. His speed while carrying the ball was just incredible. Sorry no Allstar here. Colm Ó Rourke on the Sunday Game once described him as one of the best footballers in the country. Surely there are payers even in Kerry, Dublin, Derry Monaghan with discontent over not been selected. The allstars competition is not representative or transparent and even we all agreed with it in principle the selections are subjective. Its one of the big hoorays of the year that the GAA seem to champion even more than some of the football/hurling competitions themselves.

Inatfullforward (Longford) - Posts: 109 - 19/11/2023 00:16:40    2513693

Link

Replying To Inatfullforward:  "I'm being biased here but we had a player here Paul Barden who played for Longford for about 15 years and to watch this man in action was a sight to behold. He could d take on and rip through defence at lightening speed and bury the ball in the net or equally score as fine of long range points your likely to ever see. His speed while carrying the ball was just incredible. Sorry no Allstar here. Colm Ó Rourke on the Sunday Game once described him as one of the best footballers in the country. Surely there are payers even in Kerry, Dublin, Derry Monaghan with discontent over not been selected. The allstars competition is not representative or transparent and even we all agreed with it in principle the selections are subjective. Its one of the big hoorays of the year that the GAA seem to champion even more than some of the football/hurling competitions themselves."
You are perfectly correct when you say that Paul was worthy of at least one award, but as you say, he is only one of many from the weaker and not so weak counties who have never won one. I lost any belief I ever had in the "Allstars" selection since the year that a Wicklow footballer, Leighton Glynn , who in the eyes of most football fans in the country - with the exception of the star struck " Sports Writers" - had had an outstanding year including heroics in the Aussie Rules tour down under, failed to get a gong. Instead it went to a player who had "fairytale" year. Everyone who follows the game knows who I have in mind. He had decided that as his dad ( a brilliant footballer, let me add ) had won all Ireland medals and he himself had carved out an exemplar career Down Under, he would love to follow in his dad's footsteps. The starry eyed selection committee bought into this narrative. The relevant selection panel didn't quite buy in to it as he wasn't a regular starter

Freethinker (Wicklow) - Posts: 1265 - 19/11/2023 09:58:29    2513702

Link

Replying To Inatfullforward:  "I'm being biased here but we had a player here Paul Barden who played for Longford for about 15 years and to watch this man in action was a sight to behold. He could d take on and rip through defence at lightening speed and bury the ball in the net or equally score as fine of long range points your likely to ever see. His speed while carrying the ball was just incredible. Sorry no Allstar here. Colm Ó Rourke on the Sunday Game once described him as one of the best footballers in the country. Surely there are payers even in Kerry, Dublin, Derry Monaghan with discontent over not been selected. The allstars competition is not representative or transparent and even we all agreed with it in principle the selections are subjective. Its one of the big hoorays of the year that the GAA seem to champion even more than some of the football/hurling competitions themselves."
Barden was good and would have been on any of the top county teams at that time. Reality is though that players who do not play in the latter stages of championship are never going to get attention even of their peers or most journalists never mind the public.

There are also only 16 spots so of course there will be hard cases. Be very hard not to justify having O'Sullivan, McCluskey or Mick Fitz in the full back line. They performed consistently through the year on teams that were in the mix to the end, not least through their own contributions.

I reckon O'Sullivan not done yet either, as expect Daingean to be in club final.

BarneyGrant (Dublin) - Posts: 3118 - 19/11/2023 10:24:07    2513703

Link

Replying To D.Hyde:  "Enda Smith was fully deserving of his award, who would you put in his place this year? Maybe you didn't watch much of him but I have been to every Ros game this year and I can tell you he was never below an 8/10 and usually nearer 10/10. He was an inspirational leader for us and was named man of the match in 2 or 3 championship games. Enda Smith would make ANY inter county team in the country. Well done Enda, great achievement for him and his family."
Enda Smith describes his All star 100℅.He was outstanding all year.Congrats to Enda and Roscommon.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3844 - 19/11/2023 10:53:35    2513710

Link

Replying To Inatfullforward:  "I'm being biased here but we had a player here Paul Barden who played for Longford for about 15 years and to watch this man in action was a sight to behold. He could d take on and rip through defence at lightening speed and bury the ball in the net or equally score as fine of long range points your likely to ever see. His speed while carrying the ball was just incredible. Sorry no Allstar here. Colm Ó Rourke on the Sunday Game once described him as one of the best footballers in the country. Surely there are payers even in Kerry, Dublin, Derry Monaghan with discontent over not been selected. The allstars competition is not representative or transparent and even we all agreed with it in principle the selections are subjective. Its one of the big hoorays of the year that the GAA seem to champion even more than some of the football/hurling competitions themselves."
Another poster described the whole thing as just based on the All Ireland Finalists, with a few awards given to the semi finalists. There are Paul Bardens in every county, who never get to play in Croke Park, but are still good players.

thelongridge (Offaly) - Posts: 1879 - 19/11/2023 12:28:12    2513718

Link

Replying To Shelbourne1:  "Agreed but Cluxton was overlooked unfairly in previous years !"
I suppose if he got awards in 02 and 07 despite costing Dublin the all ireland semi final in each of those years, then yes, it's strange he won those 2 but not 1 in 2017 maybe. Clarke was excellent in 16 and 17 tho.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5193 - 19/11/2023 13:11:22    2513722

Link

Replying To Inatfullforward:  "I'm being biased here but we had a player here Paul Barden who played for Longford for about 15 years and to watch this man in action was a sight to behold. He could d take on and rip through defence at lightening speed and bury the ball in the net or equally score as fine of long range points your likely to ever see. His speed while carrying the ball was just incredible. Sorry no Allstar here. Colm Ó Rourke on the Sunday Game once described him as one of the best footballers in the country. Surely there are payers even in Kerry, Dublin, Derry Monaghan with discontent over not been selected. The allstars competition is not representative or transparent and even we all agreed with it in principle the selections are subjective. Its one of the big hoorays of the year that the GAA seem to champion even more than some of the football/hurling competitions themselves."
I saw a lot of Paul Barden over the years as Longford and Wicklow met in league, championship and O'Byrne cup fixtures. Paul Barden was an outstanding football and if he played for one of the stronger counties like Dublin or Kerry, he would have won at least one if not more all star awards over the course of his career. He had everything: speed, ball skills, athleticism and team work. Leighton Glynn deserved an all star for his performances when Micko was in charge of Wicklow but while he got selected; he never had a chance of winning such an award. Personally, I don't think it is as big a horray as it was back in the 1990s due to the predictability, by and large of the selections. For me, John Heslin is one of the best forwards in Ireland currently but unfortunately, he won't an all star unless he moves to play with a strong county team. Maybe that is the way players will see it in future. It is happening at club level, how long before it is the trend at intercounty level?

wicklowsupport (Wicklow) - Posts: 2023 - 19/11/2023 16:34:54    2513740

Link

Replying To GreenandRed:  "Enda Smith is an absolutely class player and been one of the top players in the country for years. Maybe not as highly rated outside of Connacht as within. Delighted for the man."
I think the all stars should be more for awarding players like smith who have great years and go far but don't win, I think murnin from Armagh should of got one considering they made a provisional final and a all Ireland quarter final, it just goes to the finalists as always which you can understand but Derry for instance played more top teams than Kerry and yes they lost to Kerry but think it should count for some, like you'd swear they only watch semi final and finals

Liftball (Armagh) - Posts: 22 - 19/11/2023 17:35:22    2513747

Link

Yes indeed I remember Paul Barden and saw him live v Kerry.An absolutely terrific footballer.I think he was nominated but never won an all star .In truth for a player to win an All star nowadays from a so called weaker county their team would have to at least reach a provincial final or a league final.Declan Browne (Tipp)another class player did win an all star in 1998 but Tipped reached a Munster final that year.I really believe the all stars should be judged over the full year both league and championship like years ago and tbh im glad Ends Smith got one as he was terrific throughout the year.

CiarraiMick (Dublin) - Posts: 3844 - 19/11/2023 18:01:11    2513749

Link

Replying To cavanman47:  "I suppose if he got awards in 02 and 07 despite costing Dublin the all ireland semi final in each of those years, then yes, it's strange he won those 2 but not 1 in 2017 maybe. Clarke was excellent in 16 and 17 tho."
What mistake did he make in 2002. He was excellent that year and certainly didn't cost Dublin in the semi-final.

You're possibly confusing it with 2003 Qualifier defeat to Armagh when he was sent off in a game Dublin were never winning.

MesAmis (Dublin) - Posts: 13779 - 19/11/2023 19:58:41    2513762

Link

Is there really any purpose to be served by the AllStars then? It's elite and is narrowed down to definitely 4 counties ( 4 semi final teams) and possibly 2 other counties. I know players have the say after the panel nominate players but even then their no 1 may not be on the list.
Our game has been removed fron the shop window for 2 months, taken away from schools in September when those first 3 weeks when the 2 finals took place were absolutely golden and all we had to look forward to since end of July was who got Allstars?? The split season has simply allowed County and club mgmt teams to continue to pound players with training, gym work and nullify their social lives with impunity but not simultaneously so one is not "robbing the other" We are losing ground fast.

Inatfullforward (Longford) - Posts: 109 - 19/11/2023 22:25:11    2513788

Link

Replying To crafty:  "Smith stands out because he's a decent player on an average team."
Just like Shane Walsh so.

Jonnycee (Longford) - Posts: 187 - 20/11/2023 00:40:27    2513800

Link

Replying To MesAmis:  "What mistake did he make in 2002. He was excellent that year and certainly didn't cost Dublin in the semi-final.

You're possibly confusing it with 2003 Qualifier defeat to Armagh when he was sent off in a game Dublin were never winning."
His kickouts in the 2nd half were rushed and eaten up by John Toal and Paul McGrane.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5193 - 20/11/2023 12:36:17    2513859

Link

Replying To BlueBeret:  "If Enda Smith ticks most of the boxes, as suggested by you, are you seriously thinking he will be leaving Roscommon to join Kilmacud Crokes?"
enda smith will not be leaving his club because unlike walshe he is loyal congrats to him on his award well deserved

mickcunningham (Westmeath) - Posts: 1871 - 20/11/2023 13:54:05    2513875

Link

https://m.independent.ie/sport/gaelic-games/dont-let-the-brds-get-to-you-gaa-players-explain-what-its-like-to-miss-out-on-an-all-star/a2082056576.html

Inatfullforward (Longford) - Posts: 109 - 20/11/2023 14:49:07    2513878

Link