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.
Related links:
The Prem is back! The Premier League is back this weekend, and so are we with our ultimate TV guide. Alongside the English footy, there’s League of Ireland, a heap of club GAA, and some rugby inter-pros. Enjoy the sport and a few pints! Football Friday, 21 August Saturday, 22 August Sunday, 23 August Monday, […]
He was loud about it! Tyrone’s legendary All-Ireland winning manager, Mickey Harte, has long been banging the anti-AFL drum. As far back as 2006, he was highly critical of the International Rules series, which he felt was taking away from the GAA and providing a platform for players to showcase themselves to Aussie rules teams. […]
Sad times. If Mayo fans think they have it bad with the departures of Kobe McDonald and Oisín Mullin to Australia, Kerry have objectively been hit worse, and it does not look to be getting any better for the Kingdom. According to a report from the Irish Examiner, U20s talents Evan Boyle and Daniel Kirby […]