The GAA JOE All-Star Football Team of the year 2023

Lee Costello

Some tough calls had to be made here.

The GAA JOE All-Star Football Team of the Year 2023 has officially been named, and as we all know, this accolade is the highest honour you can get.

Unlike the RTE All-Stars, we try to pick the team based on performances throughout the year, and some massive calls had to be made.

Many more deserved to be on the team, and some can count themselves unlucky not to be, but those who did make this starting line-up have made it on merit.

Dublin are the All-Ireland champions once again, and take lions share of this team, but there is still room for representatives from Kerry, Derry and Monaghan.

Stephen Cluxton

After today Cluxton has nine All-Ireland finals in his pocket and is undoubtedly the greatest goalkeeper to play the game.

Before today’s final he hadn’t conceded a goal, something that was changed by Paul Geaney, but he was still fantastic and his kick-outs are second to none.

Conor McCloskey

The Derry defender has been brilliant this season. His attacking prowess just as impressive as his defensive attributes, and we all remember when he roasted Conor McManus to find the net in the Ulster championship.

Consistency has been his biggest strength however, and is undoubtedly one of the first names on Derry’s team sheet.

Mick Fitzsimons

David Clifford was deemed as unmarketable, but Mick Fitzsimons did the best job on him so far this season, and has been brilliant all year.

His battle with Conor McManus was another war in the semi-final.

Tom O’Sullivan

Known best for his scoring prowess and bombing forward but is one of the best markers in the game. Was fantastic all of last season but after a Shane Walsh masterclass in the final, he didn’t even get an All-Star.

His man-marking was impeccable this year, and did a fantastic job on Cormac Costello who had been on fire all season.

James McCarthy

A legend in the game, one of the best ever, and probably the best ever to wear a Dublin jersey. Evergreen in terms of his fitness, regardless of age, and his leadership shined through this season once again.

Karl O’Connell

Monaghan are famous for their evergreen players but Karl O’Connell really takes the biscuit as his performances this year have been incredible.

The seasoned veteran covered every blade of grass in eery match that he played, showed that he still has blistering pace, and kicked some vital scores this year, most notably against Derry to earn a draw right at the death.

Conor McCarthy

Normally a half back, Vinny Corey moved the flying forward into the half back line in the second half against Tyrone in the Ulster championship, and he never looked back since.

With his fitness, pace and ability to read the game, McCarthy’s performances coming from deep were instrumental to Monaghan’s brilliant campaign, and he really found his shooting boots too, much to the despair of Kildare.

Brian Fenton

Many had been saying that Fenton hasn’t reached the levels he used to, but this season he has found his old form and really kicked on.

His two points in today’s All-Ireland final and commanding performance in the semi-final highlights just how incredible he has been.

Brendan Rogers

Incredibly the Slaughtneil man was in full back last year, but not only made the move into the middle seamlessly, he ended up being one of the best in the country.

When your paired alongside a colossal like Conor Glass, you would think that Rogers would be playing second fiddle, but he was the main man this season, kicking scores, breaking tackles and winning high balls everywhere.

Paudie Clifford

Often in the shadow of his brother, but it was Paudie who stood up in the final, hitting three brilliant points and really taking the game to Dublin.

His performance in the quarter final against Tyrone was huge, as he finally got the better of Conor Meyler who they have had fantastic battles against one another.

Sean O’Shea

If David Clifford is the main man for Kerry, then Sean O’Shea is definitely the next best thing. His free kick taking is the best in the game at the moment, and in the final he was prolific from play as well.

Cormac Costello

The flying forward may have several All-Irelands in his pocket going into today’s game, but this was his first start in an All-Ireland final, and they maybe wouldn’t have reached it if it wasn’t for his performances this year.

The semi-final against Monaghan really brought out the best in Costello, because when superstars like O’Callaghan and Paul Mannion were struggling, it was this man who stood up.

Shane McGuigan

The Slaughtneil sharp shooter was the marquee man for Derry this season, and everything he touched turned to scores. His incredible performance in the Ulster final will live long in the memory, but he was fantastic all season.

Clinical from free kicks, McGuigan’s output from play was also huge, and at just 25 years of age, we will see plenty more from this young star.

David Clifford

It’s hard to remember a team of the year that didn’t feature David Clifford as the Fossa wizard continues to show why he is the best player in the country.

Incredibly he probably played his worst game in today’s final, but after the amount of times has has pulled his county out of trouble, no one will be blaming him.

Colm Basquel

The top scorer from play in the championship, Basquel really showed his class in the final, especially because he had a disappointing semi-final against Monaghan.