What a season this man had.
There’s been a lot of talk about David Clifford, James McCarthy, Stephen Cluxton and rightly so, but one player, regardless of his incredible stats, doesn’t get the same recognition.
Shane McGuigan has had the season of his life, spearheading Derry to back to back Ulster titles and a whisker away from an All-Ireland final.
The Slaughtneil sharp shooter has always been prolific, but this season he showed real leadership, dynamism, and always stood up in the clutch moments.
Much like Conor McManus for Monaghan, Clifford for Kerry or Rian O’Neill for Armagh, when Derry are in trouble, the plan is to get the ball to McGuigan, and more often that not he bails them out.
A lot of debate has been surrounding The Player of the Year award, with pundits all split on whether it should be given to McCarthy, Clifford, Cluxton or mick Fitzsimmons, but one the fact that Derry’s full forward isn’t consisted, is just bizarre.
The flying forward finished the season as top scorer of the championship, despite playing one game less than Dublin and Kerry, who possess the other forwards who would have been trying to top that list.
The 25-year-old scored an incredible 2-52, with 1-22 coming from play, 29 from frees, one mark and one penalty. This tally puts him ahead of everyone including superstars like Clifford, Colm Basquel, Con O’Callaghan and Sean O’Shea.
McGuigan scored 2-5 against Fermanagh in the opening round of the Ulster championship, nine points against Monaghan in the semi-final and seven more in that incredible final against Armagh which saw him pick up the Man of the match award and convert his penalty in the shoot out.
When Derry played Monaghan again the group stages, he repeated the same total as the last time he played him, kicking nine points once again.
The quarter final against Cork was his only real lull, and he was magnificent in the first half against Kerry despite being man-marked, targeted and isolated by The Kingdom.
Whether or not he deserves to pick up the POTY award is a different story, as Bernard Brogan is the only player in history to win that accolade without reaching the final, but the fact that he doesn’t seem to be in the conversation is wrong.
Related links:
- Marc O’e recalls ‘awkward’ period when Jack O’Connor replaced his uncle Paidi as Kerry manager
- Marc O Sé on what it’s like playing for Jack O’Connor and if he should stay on as Kerry manager
- David Clifford and James McCarthy don’t make Joe Brolly’s Player of the Year shortlist
