Jesus, it’s over.
No more inter-county football until the new year, they won’t even get to train until December. Because of the winter ban. Remember?
It was quite the summer for football, the championship stretching from May 1 until October 1 and there were thrills and spills, wakes and resurrections along the way.
When it comes to the final, you tend to forget the excitement that went before it. You forget about classics like Derry and Tipperary, like Clare’s win over Roscommon, even things like the last 10 minutes of a nail-biting Ulster final.
You forget about Longford beating Down and Monaghan and three swashbuckling quarter-finals fit for Croker and all its historic grace.
It turns out the GAA wasn't as alien as I thought. A piece on family, home and sport – https://t.co/XTPLO4wK2C via @sportsjoedotie
— Dion Fanning (@dionfanning) October 2, 2016
The GAA will be alright you know, sometimes it just takes a step back to realise that.
So, after four leagues, four provincial championships and the All-Ireland series, The Sunday Game went with this as their Team of the Year.
Sunday Game Team of the Year pic.twitter.com/tTBiUCBPFZ
— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) October 1, 2016
We went with something a little different (at least I did anyway).
So, without further hesitation, here it is, the SportsJOE Team of the Year (my one anyway).
Evan Comerford (Tipperary): The most consistent of all the ‘keepers, his kicking was superb too – it’s all about kicking now.
Philly McMahon (Dublin): The complete footballer disguised as a ruthless full back.
Jonny Cooper (Dublin): The shape he’s in, the bite he has, the brain on him to direct his pace.
Jonny Cooper epitomises everything that Dublin don't get credit for https://t.co/MZzWKA0Eo1
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 6, 2016
Brendan Harrison (Mayo): Has been harassing boys for fun all summer. Gobbled up Ronan O’Neill and Bernard Brogan when his county needed him most.
Lee Keegan (Mayo): Contender for Footballer of the Year surely after the jobs he did on Cavanagh, Quinlivan, and Connolly.
"It might just be that we're all idiots," admits @ConanDoherty
"Anyone who has undervalued him anyway” https://t.co/ensLQCaOV1— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) September 17, 2016
Cian O’Sullivan (Dublin): Never really had to mark anybody and wasn’t that always the biggest problem for the opposition because he swept up everything and played out from the back beautifully.
Peter Harte (Tyrone): The classiest footballer around at present.
Tyrone's Peter Harte is like nothing football has ever seen before, @ConanDoherty was at Clones https://t.co/HPVBNGwXrj #GAA
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) July 3, 2016
Donal Vaughan (Mayo): Mobile, strong, involved in every minute of Mayo’s big games. Whether he was half back or midfield, he was crucial.
Brian Fenton (Dublin): The terminator.
It's never too late https://t.co/njDeeNwEzH #GAA
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 3, 2016
Ryan McHugh (Donegal): Really overlooked but he has hit massive scores, goals and points in massive games for Donegal this year. Couldn’t be marked.
Diarmuid Connolly (Dublin): Masterful.
“Anyone who doesn't appreciate what Diarmuid Connolly can do simply doesn't appreciate football at its best…” https://t.co/QIpEumHsbc #GAA
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) October 3, 2016
Niall Sludden (Tyrone): Has been pacy, direct and deadly accurate. That championship was taking place before the semi-final too you know.
Paul Geaney (Kerry): An absolute nuisance who could eat up any type of ball.
Michael Quinlivan (Tipperary): The catalyst for Tipp’s incredible rise.
Dean Rock (Dublin): Had one under-par game the whole championship.
Tractor beam Dean Rock: Dublin's Mr Reliable (and still not worthy of a man of the match nomination?) https://t.co/Bu2UtFfiUo #GAA
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) August 29, 2016
The GAA Hour pays tribute to the unbeatable Dubs and ask where did it all go wrong for Mayo in the All-Ireland final replay. Listen below or subscribe on iTunes.
