Cullen misses out as Dublin lead with 12

DUBLIN CAN’T have too many complaints after securing a chart-topping 12 nominations for the 2011 football All Stars, and yet some eyebrows were raised at the exclusion of their All-Ireland-winning captain Bryan Cullen, and inclusion of their All-Ireland final substitute Kevin McManamon.

That’s what happens, perhaps, when McManamon scores the goal that might ultimately have won Dublin the All-Ireland, while Cullen was more quietly consistent throughout the summer, without making any headlines.

Still, Dublin aren’t the only ones to possibly feel a little hard done by – Wexford, beaten Leinster finalists, have only one man among the 45 nominations in forward Ben Brosnan, with fellow forward Ciarán Lyng overlooked, and beaten Ulster finalists, Derry, also have just one nomination in Eoin Bradley. And there are no nominations for beaten Munster and All-Ireland quarter-finalists Limerick – who lost out at both stages to Kerry.

Kerry are next best represented after Dublin, with nine of the team that started in the All-Ireland defeat nominated, including their entire full-back line. Beaten semi-finalists Donegal have been handed seven, while Mayo get five nominations after going out in the last four to Kerry.

Of the other beaten quarter-finalists, Kildare get five, Cork three and Tyrone two. The final team of 15 players will be presented at the banquet event at the Convention Centre Dublin on Friday, October 21st, along with the hurling All Star team.

The list of 45 names was selected by the same committee of journalists that selected the 2010 awards. The player-of-the-month awards were selected using a player vote from a shortlist of players drawn up by the scheme’s steering committee.

The player-of-the-month award winners from May to September were Ben Brosnan (May, Wexford), Alan Brogan (June, Dublin), Karl Lacey (July, Donegal), Colm Cooper (August, Kerry) and Darran O’Sullivan (September, Kerry).

2011 GAA-GPA Football All Star Nominations

Goalkeepers

Brendan KealyKerry

Stephen CluxtonDublin

Paul DurcanDonegal

Full Backs

Michael FoleyKildare

Neil McGeeDonegal

Frank McGlynnDonegal

Marc Ó SéKerry

Rory O'CarrollDublin

Tom O'SullivanKerry

Joe McMahonTyrone

Hugh McGrillenKildare

Cian O'SullivanDublin

Half Backs

Karl LaceyDonegal

Donal VaughanMayo

Trevor MortimerMayo

Kevin NolanDublin

Kevin CassidyDonegal

Emmet BoltonKildare

Tomás Ó SéKerry

Killian YoungKerry

Ger BrennanDublin

Midfielders

Bryan SheehanKerry

Michael Darragh MacauleyDublin

Alan O'ConnorCork

Seán CavanaghTyrone

John DoyleKildare

Denis BastickDublin

Half Forwards

Ben BrosnanWexford

Alan BroganDublin

Darran O'SullivanKerry

Declan O'SullivanKerry

Paul FlynnDublin

Alan DillonMayo

Kevin McManamonDublin

Paddy KellyCork

Eamonn CallaghanKildare

Full Forwards

Donnacha O'ConnorCork

Michael MurphyDonegal

Bernard BroganDublin

Colm CooperKerry

Andy MoranMayo

Colm McFaddenDonegal

Eoin BradleyDerry

Diarmuid ConnollyDublin

Cillian O'ConnorMayo

County-by-County Breakdown

Dublin 12, Kerry 9, Donegal 7, Mayo 5, Kildare 5, Cork 3, Tyrone 2, Wexford 1, Derry 1.