“Now is when the real controversy starts… “
Some big calls in The Sunday Game Team of the Year, after a championship that ended with Kerry lifting Sam Maguire after a strong second half showing.
Colm O’Rourke said it best (above) when he had to deliver the full-back line. Éamonn Fitzmaurice said likewise when he was discussing the half-back line.
The panel, including some that were not in the studio this evening, settled on their Best 15. It differs somewhat from the GAA JOE Team of the Year, but has plenty of worthy, excellent players in there.
After an afternoon of Kerry joy and Galway heartache, there would be an extra bump for some – on both sides – and more head-shaking for others.
Those big Team of the Year selection calls
Before we get to the Team of the Year, the panel chose their Footballer of the Year and it was David Clifford edging out Galway’s Shane Walsh and Cillian McDaid. All three would make the Best 15, though.
Kerry ended up with seven selections in the final 15, with beaten finalists Galway getting four, Dublin getting two, one from Armagh and one from Derry.
The likes of Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Tom O’Sullivan, Ethan Rafferty, Conor Glass, Brian Fenton, John Daly, Kieran Molloy and Shane McGuigan all missed out.
David Clifford also claimed Man of the Match for the final. The lad will need a trailer to get all the trophies home to Fossa.
The Sunday Game Team of the Year
1. Shane Ryan – Kerry
2. Liam Silke – Galway
3. Jason Foley – Kerry
4. Chrissy McKaigue – Derry5. James McCarthy – Dublin
6. Tadhg Morley – Kerry
7. Gavin White – Kerry8. Rian O’Neill – Armagh
9. Cillian McDaid – Galway10. Paudie Clifford – Kerry
11. Seán O’Shea -Kerry
12. Ciarán Kilkenny – Dublin13. David Clifford – Kerry
14. Damien Comer – Galway
15. Shane Walsh – Galway
- The brilliance of James McCarthy
- Why nobody can do what Aaron Gillane can do
- Playing GAA in America for a summer
Watch these videos and more in our player below.
