All-Ireland champions Kerry have once again come to the fore, this team with a majority representation of eight on the GPA Team of the Year. Vanquished final opponents Cork have six players included, while Kildare’s Dermot Early is the sole representative from outside the Munster footballing strongholds.
Among Kerry’s allocation, however, there is no room for either Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper or the retired Darragh Ó Sé, whose brothers, Marc and Tomás, are included.
Named with them are of goalkeeper Diarmuid Murphy, Tom O’Sullivan, midfielder Seamus Scanlon, GAA player of the year Paul Galvin, Declan O’Sullivan and Tommy Walsh.
Galvin’s fellow player of the year nominee Graham Canty is among the Corkmen included, as are Michael Shields, John Miskella, Pearse O’Neill, Paddy Kelly and Daniel Goulding.
Announcing the team today, chairman of the football selection committee Martin McHugh said: “Congratulations to the fifteen 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 GPA, added: “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 fifteen 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.”
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)