Dublin's dual summer is recognised

GAELIC GAMES:DUBLIN'S BIG dual year is recognised with four nominations across the categories in the short list for the 2011 GAA-GPA player of the year awards, sponsored by Opel.

The county has two nominees for Footballer of the Year and one each in the Young Football and Young Hurler lists.

Alan Brogan is front runner to succeed his brother Bernard as Footballer of the Year. Playing for the most part as a deep lying forward, his work-rate and scores were a major factor in his county’s first All-Ireland success in 16 years.

Kerry’s Darran O’Sullivan also had an excellent year, his pace and scoring threat a constant in the county’s league and championship campaigns. Dublin goalkeeper Stephen Cluxton, named earlier this week as Ireland captain for the International Rules series in Australia, is also nominated after a memorable season.

To his usual expertise in goal the Parnells player continued to add a valuable place-kicking function, which climaxed in pointing a free for the winning point at the very end of last month’s All-Ireland final.

Kilkenny’s Michael Fennelly is nominated as Hurler of the Year, his energy and dynamism from centrefield having played a central role in the county’s regaining of the Liam MacCarthy Cup for a fifth success in six years. Also nominated is his team-mate, wing back Tommy Walsh, and Tipperary’s Pádraic Maher.

Dublin’s nominations are completed by James McCarthy, whose rookie season at wing back included a cracking individual goal in the Leinster final against Wexford, as Young Footballer of the Year, and hurler Liam Rushe, who starred for both seniors and under-21s.

The winners will be chosen by inter-county players and announced on Friday, October 21st.

FULL NOMINATIONS:

Footballer of the year

Alan Brogan (Dublin)

Darran OSullivan (Kerry)

Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)

Young footballer of the year

Cillian O’Connor (Mayo)

James McCarthy (Dublin)

Mark McHugh (Donegal)

Hurler of the year

Michael Fennelly (Kilkenny)

Pádraic Maher (Tipperary)

Tommy Walsh (Kilkenny

Young hurler of the year

Liam Rushe (Dublin)

Declan Hannon (Limerick)

Pauric Mahony (Waterford)

Christy Ring Cup player of the year

Shane Nolan (Kerry)

Eamon Kearns (Wicklow)

Nicky Rackard Cup player of the year

Martin Finn (London)

David Dunne (Louth)

Lory Meagher Cup player of the year

Niall Campbell (Donegal)

Damian Maguire (Tyrone)