To the victors go the spoils, and Kerry’s All-Ireland success has seen seven of this year’s winning team named on the GAA Football All Stars sponsored by Vodafone. Beaten finalists Cork earned five places on the 2009 selection.
Diarmuid Murphy’s massive contribution to the Kerry cause earned the goalkeeper a third award while Tom O’Sullivan, man-of-the-match in Croke Park last month, and Tomás Ó Sé are also honoured.
Seamus Scanlon joins O’Sullivan in winning his first All-Star while Tadhg Kennelly’s impact on his return from Australia has seen the Listowel man follow in the footsteps of his late father, Tim, who won awards in 1979 and 1980.
Kennelly is joined in the half forward line by Paul Galvin with Declan O’Sullivan named at full forward.
Having endured a year to forget in 2008, Galvin’s redemption culminated with him picking up the player of the year. Donegal’s Michael Murphy was named young player of the year.
While they would much prefer to have an All-Ireland medal in their back pocket, Cork’s Michael Shields, Graham Canty, John Miskella, Pearse O’Neill and Daniel Goulding have had their stellar campaigns recognised.
Having had seven of their side on last year’s team, Tyrone’s sole representative 12 months on is Stephen O’Neill. All told, only five counties are included in the side with Karl Lacey (Donegal) and Dermot Early (Kildare) making up the selection.
There are no representatives from the Leinster (Dublin) or Connacht (Mayo) champions.
While the hurling All-Stars were announced yesterday, Kilkenny's Tommy Walsh had to wait until this evening’s ceremony at the Citywest Hotel to learn that he had been named hurler of the year.
Tipperary’s Noel McGrath was named young hurler of the year.
2009 Football All-Stars
Goalkeeper
Diarmuid Murphy (Kerry)
Full Backs
Karl Lacey (Donegal)
Michael Shields (Cork)
Tom O'Sullivan (Kerry)
Half Backs
Tomás Ó Sé (Kerry)
Graham Canty (Cork)
John Miskella (Cork)
Midfielders
Dermot Early (Kildare)
Seamus Scanlon (Kerry)
Half Forwards
Paul Galvin (Kerry)
Pearse O'Neill (Cork)
Tadhg Kennelly (Kerry)
Full Forwards
Daniel Goulding (Cork)
Declan O'Sullivan (Kerry)
Stephen O'Neill (Tyrone)