Let’s be honest, there is not a whole lot you can do with a tuxedo.
They make us all look respectable, if unremarkable, and it is close to impossible to stand out in a penguin suit.
We had high hopes Kilkenny corner-forward Ger Aylward would turn up in his black bag creation but the first time winner went with conventional black tie instead, as did most of his fellow nominees.
However, on the most glamorous evening of the GAA calendar there is always room for those little personal touches that set our football fashionistas and hurling hipsters apart from the pack.
Noel Connors, Waterford hurler
The Waterford corner-back has shaved his impressive beard, so looking for something to set him out from the crowd Connors stumps for a gold tie clip, which draws attention to the fact he hasn’t gone the standard tux and dicky-bow route. Hell, his suit isn’t even black. Connors is no conformist but that doesn’t mean he don’t have style.
Tony Kelly, Clare hurler
The 2013 Hurler of the Year was chosen as the front man for Sky Sports’ big budget advertising campaign, yet one of the most talented athletes in the country could still walk unrecognised through most towns in Ireland. Adding the waistcoat and black pocket ‘kerchief to his classic tux Kelly is saying, “Sure, you might not know my value but I’m well aware of my true worth”.
Lee Keegan, Mayo footballer
The flying wing-back is one of the most electrifying footballers in the country and he plays on the edge. However, as he displayed with his cheeky response to questions about his somewhat fortuitous goal against Donegal, he has a lighter side. The Mayo footballers have been portrayed as single-minded and driven in the wake of the heave against Pat Holmes and Noel Connelly but, with his polka-dot dicky-bow the three-time All Star shows he can be a fun guy.
Cian O’Sullivan and Bernard Brogan, Dublin footballers
https://twitter.com/sportsfile/status/662695178092826624/photo/1
These Blues Brothers are wearing their allegiances on their sleeves, and their pants legs, and their breasts and their collars. Proud representatives of the All-Ireland champions O’Sullivan and Brogan want to remind you that a blue wave is crashing against the shore of your dreams and there is nothing you can do about it. It is this commitment to the Dublin cause, even allowing it determine the colour of their formal wear, that sets these winners apart from the pack.
Ciarán Kilkenny, Dublin footballer
The first time winner was awarded an All-Star on the back of a tremendous season, which saw him orchestrate the Dublin attack brilliantly from centre-forward. In honour of this service he decided to rock the butler look with a white dicky bow, while also displaying his impressively broad shoulders with a tight jacket. Having turned his back on a professional career in Australia the Castleknock phenom looks set to play a central role in a juggernaut with more momentum than that butler soap opera, Downton Abbey.
