If the All-Stars were picked now…

June 26, 2014

The teams parade before the Ulster SFC semi-final between Antrim and Donegal ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
Now that the provincial championships are well underway, we update our All-Star football team.

1. Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)

Despite the best efforts of Tyrone's Niall Morgan, Cluxton remains the benchmark for all goalkeepers. The contribution of his kick-outs and dead ball accuracy to Dublin's overall performance cannot be overstated, and Cluxton's consistency is nothing short of remarkable.

2. Johnny Cooper (Dublin)

Cooper claimed the RTE 'Man-of-the-Match' award for his performance against Laois in Dublin's Leinster SFC opener after thwarting many Laois attacks, most notably when denying Ross Munnelly a certain goal with a last ditch interception. His agility and blistering pace makes him a nightmare opponent for any marksman.

3. Drew Wylie (Monaghan)

Wylie is proving himself to be one of the best man-markers in the game. The Ballybay man turned in a wonderful performance against Tyrone in the Ulster SFC in which he completely nullified the influence of Stephen O'Neill.

4. Keith Higgins (Mayo)

The Ballyhaunis clubman is a enjoying another great season. Higgins' pace and ball-carrying ability is the basis of so many Mayo attacks and yet he regularly keeps his man quiet.

5. Dessie Mone (Monaghan)

A league campaign tipped off with a TG4 'Man-of-the-Match' performance against Donegal in the Division 2 final and he followed that up with a brilliant display against Tyrone. A tenacious tackler with a fantastic work rate, Mone leads by example and sets the intensity for the rest of the Monaghan rear-guard.

6. Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone)

Always assured in possession, Donnelly had some fine performances for Tyrone in the Ulster SFC campaign. The Trillick clubman was deployed at no. 6 and worked tirelessly as a link between defence and attack. His three points from play against Monaghan showed what a polished footballer he is.

7. Frank McGlynn (Donegal)

McGlynn's work rate and ball-carrying is a vital cog in the Donegal machine. The Glenfin clubman's hunger and desire to make tackles and support his teammates is second to none and he's found top form in this year's Ulster SFC.

8. Michael Darragh Macauley (Dublin)

Last year's 'Footballer of the Year' has continued where he's left off. The Ballyboden St. Enda's workhorse gives them their stability around the middle and his ability to drive forward and break tackles is the foundation of so many of Dublin's goal scoring opportunities. Macauley got the goal to kill off Laois in the Leinster SFC quarter-final.

9. Gary Brennan (Clare)

Brennan has been inspirational for Clare again this year. The Clare captain has led by example and played a huge role in his team's replay win over Waterford where he drove forward from the middle to score 1-2. He also put in a big performance against Kerry where the Banner fell to a four point defeat.

10. Paul Barden (Longford)

Barden produced a Man-of-the-Match display in Longford's giant-killing victory over Derry in the Qualifiers. The Clonguish man proved too hot to handle for the Derry defence and helped himself to 1-2. Barden also had good displays against Offaly and Wexford where he scored 0-2 and 0-3 respectively. Barden gets the nod just ahead of his teammate Francis McGee.

11. Mark Lynch (Derry)
The outstanding performer during the Allianz leagues, Lynch hit 2-44 in the spring but like so many of his colleagues, the league final passed him by. The Donegal blanket put an end to his Ulster hopes and despite a fantastic goal in the qualifiers, Longford ended the Oakleafer's summer. The bias toward August and September in All Star selections means that Lynch might not be in the team come the end of the season, something that was hard to imagine four weeks ago.

12. Diarmuid Connolly (Dublin)

His exceptional club form en route to All-Ireland success for St. Vincent's mesmerised the country and Connolly has chipped in for Dublin since his return. Even when he appears to be out of the game for long periods, Connolly can pounce at any moment with a moment of genius. His goal against Laois was the key turning point in the match.

13. Ross Munnelly (Laois)

Munnelly gave an exhibition of point kicking against Dublin in the Leinster SFC quarter-final. The Arles/Kilcruise clubman kicked seven points, including five from play, from a variety of difficult angles. Munnelly followed this with another good display against Fermanagh where he recorded four points.

14. Sean Quigley (Fermanagh)

Despite racking up some phenomenal personal tallies, Sean Quigley and Fermanagh have a long summer ahead after defeat to Laois in the Qualifiers. The Roslea powerhouse recorded 1-6 in the narrow Ulster SFC defeat to Antrim before registering a whopping 2-8 against Laois.

15. Conor Sweeney (Tipperary)

The Tipp ace top scored nationally in the Allianz FL with 6-49 and was really on song as The Premier were narrowly beaten by Cork in the Munster semi-final, bagging 1-4 with the Rebels only getting the win in the final minutes.

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