Dublin's dominance continues. Their four-in-a-row triumph brings to an end the 2018 inter-county Championship and focus now turns to the end of the year accolades.
Ever since the first round of the championship, we here at balls.ie have assessed the best performances of the week and picked a rolling team. In past years, one good semi-final or final seemed to guarantee a player a spot in the team, a move that is contrary to the point of the award. The All-Star should go to the best player, not the best teams. The Super 8s posed a unique challenge to this, as now stronger county players had more opportunities to prove themselves.
Here is the tenth and final round of the Rolling All-Stars.
1.Graham Brody (stays)
The most competitive spot in the entire team. There were two stand-out candidates for goalkeeper this year. Laois's Brody and Monaghan's Rory Beggan.
Both of these individuals have taken goalkeeping to another level this year. Brody has been a revelation, with Ciaran Whelan heaping praise on him during the final episode of the Sunday Game for his sweeping ability and shot-stopping. Beggan's kick-outs and long-range frees were also crucial to Monaghan's strong season.
However, Brody's range of performance just shades of it. With Laois in desperate need of an equaliser versus Wexford, he pulled off a dramatic save and drove up the field to create the score. He was the ultimate 'sweeper-keeper' against Carlow, was nominated for Man of the Match against Dublin and gave a masterclass against Monaghan. Unfortunately, two of those games were not televised and thus the nation did not get to enjoy it as they should.
Rory Beggan hardly put a foot wrong, starting with a brilliant game against Tyrone and peaking with that stunning showing against Kerry. Yet, two rare errors proved costly. Like Stephen Cluxton against Galway, he rushed off his line for the crucial goal that saw Fermanagh shock Ulster.
Then in an All-Ireland semi-final against Tyrone, his long-range punt dropped short and coughed up crucial possession. In saying that, he is still a worthy contender for the actual award later this year.
2. Eoghan Ban Gallagher (stays)
The youngster enjoyed a superb year under Declan Bonner. In a game as dynamic as the current one, there is an onus on every player to be effective on both sides of the ball and Gallagher embodies that.
3. Drew Wylie (stays)
In a similar vein to Gallagher. Superb contribution on both sides of the ball.
4. Michael McKernan (out) - Pádraig Hampsey (in)
McKernan was a contender for Young Player of the Year but faded towards the backend of the Championship. Hampsey's man-marking ability is renowned after duels with Conor McManus, Michael Murphy and Paul Mannion. He was awarded Tyrone GAA's Man of the Match for his All-Ireland final efforts.
5. Karl O'Connell (stays)
Kevin Cassidy and Tomás Ó Sé were full of praise for Monaghan's flying wing-back who was outstanding this year and his county's best performer. Remarkable given he only started playing the sport at 17.
6. James McCarthy (stays)
Whether it be at midfield or centre-back, the Ballymun Kickhams man has been marvelous and a lynchpin for Dublin.
7. Jack McCaffrey (stays)
Man of the Match in both the semi-final and final. A stunning turnaround considering 12 months ago he tore his cruciate ligament. In the running for Player of the Year.
8. Brian Fenton (stays)
The epitome of a modern-day midfielder. A master of every facet necessary; fielding, tackling, shooting. No team has managed to identify a suitable opponent for the Raheny man this year and based on his level of performance none exists. Peerless.
9. Colm Cavanagh (stays)
Without him, Tyrone would not have made an All-Ireland final. His prowess from kick-outs and tackling ability were two of the strengths Mickey Harte targeted in building his team's gameplan.
10. Brian Howard (stays)
Dublin's current style is one of perpetual motion and the key to that is Brian Howard. The Raheny club man covers a remarkable amount of ground and consistently frustrates opponents in 'transition' with his work rate and tackling high up the pitch. Furthermore, his fielding ability means Cluxton has another outlet beyond Fenton. A strong contender for Young Player of the Year.
11. Ciaran Kilkenny (stays)
2-24 from play across seven games. The conductor of Dublin's star-studded attack. At the top of his game right now.
An absolute pleasure @CKKilkenny93
— Alan Brogan (@alanbrogan13) September 2, 2018
12. Niall Sludden (stays)
Whenever Tyrone have been put under pressure, Sludden has been the man to offer a remedy, more often than not by landing a crucial score. He kicked a great point against Meath, scored 0-3 from play against Cavan and scored one of his three goals against Monaghan in the All-Ireland semi-final. His inability to get the best of Eoin Murchan was his only flaw.
13. Paul Mannion (stays)
In a five-minute spell, Mannion scored a penalty, secured a last-ditch turnover to avoid a near-certain goal and created a Dean Rock point. A perfect team player who sets the standard for Dublin's work-rate.
14. Ian Burke (stays)
The most assists of anyone in this Championship campaign. Without the Corofin man, Galway's forward line would have hugely struggled. His constant movement and vision were crucial. A wonderfully skillful player and totally unselfish. James Horan hailed him as the most intelligent player in the game right now.
Anyone tracking assists? @drills81 @GaaStatsman @dontfoul Ian Burke has gotta be off the charts.. I make it 6 today and 1 score. Last week even more impressive..
— Michael Meehan (@Meehan_MJ) July 22, 2018
15. David Clifford (stays)
Conor McManus from play this year: Tyrone, 0-2. Fermanagh, 0. Waterford, 0. Laois, 0-3. Kildare, 0-2. Kerry, 1-4. Galway, 0-1. Tyrone, 0-1.
David Clifford from play this year: Clare, 0-1. Cork, 0-2. Galway, 1-4. Monaghan, 1-3. Kildare, 1-4.
Both players converted their penalties, but Clifford's efficiency is unprecedented.
David Clifford is extraordinary. Super 8s
0-02 from 2 on frees (yellow)
4-00 from 4 on goal attempts (red)
0-12 from 17 (71%) on point attempts (white = left, black = right)
That’s 78% (4–14 from 23) in total scoring ~11 points more than an avg intercounty player would #Yeesh pic.twitter.com/mTuVycDcZP— dontfoul (@dontfoul) August 8, 2018
McManus is the decade's best forward and got his county over the line with that stunning score against Tyrone, but took on a massively costly shot against Fermanagh. With the last kick of the game and a point in it, he hit a wide when a free man was inside crying out for a pass.
There you have it. A spread of six Dublin, three Tyrone, two Monaghan, one Galway, one Donegal, one Laois, one Kerry. The debate will rage on for much of the next few weeks, but that's part of the enjoyment of it all.
