Record seven All-Star nominations for Cavan

Breaking

Paul Fitzpatrick

Published: Fri 15 Jan 2021, 9:17 AM

Last updated: Fri 15 Jan 2021, 9:24 AM

Cavan’s outstanding achievement in winning a first Ulster SFC title in 23 years has been recognised as the county has picked up seven All-Star nominations.

The list was revealed this morning and sees Raymond Galligan, Ciaran Brady, Padraig Faulkner, Gerard Smith, Gearoid McKiernan, Martin Reilly and Thomas Galligan all make the 45-man shortlist.

The seven nominees represents Cavan’s best-ever representation on the shortlist, beating the six who made the cut back in 1997.

While a case could be made that the likes of Oisin Kiernan and Jason McLoughlin are unlucky to miss out, Cavan are comfortably better represented than the other beaten semi-finalists, Tipperary, who have four nominations, reflecting the fact that the Breffni men played five matches in total and were the only team, along with Dublin, to defeat two Division 1 sides in the championship.

There was some slight surprise at Thomas Galligan being named as a forward rather than at midfield but with Dublin pair Brian Fenton and James McCarthy such strong contenders, the Lacken star may have a better chance of winning the award in the forward line.

Full list of nominations

Goalkeepers: David Clarke (Mayo), Stephen Cluxton (Dublin), Raymond Galligan (Cavan).

Defenders: Davey Byrne (Dublin), Michael Fitzsimons (Dublin), Eoin Murchan (Dublin), John Small (Dublin), Robbie McDaid (Dublin), Oisín Mullin (Mayo), Eoghan McLaughlin (Mayo), Lee Keegan (Mayo), Chris Barrett (Mayo), Patrick Durcan (Mayo), Ciarán Brady (Cavan), Padraig Faulkner (Cavan), Gerry Smith (Cavan), Kevin Fahy (Tipperary), Bill Maher (Tipperary), Iain Corbett (Limerick), Aidan Forker (Armagh), Peadar Mogan (Donegal).

Midfielders: James McCarthy (Dublin), Brian Fenton (Dublin), Colin O’Riordan (Tipperary), Gearóid McKiernan (Cavan), Matthew Ruane (Mayo), Ian Maguire (Cork).

Forwards: Niall Scully (Dublin), Con O’Callaghan (Dublin), Ciarán Kilkenny (Dublin), Dean Rock (Dublin), Seán Bugler (Dublin), Cillian O’Connor (Mayo), Kevin McLoughlin (Mayo), Ryan O’Donoghue (Mayo), Aidan O’Shea (Mayo), Tommy Conroy (Mayo), Martin Reilly (Cavan), Thomas Galligan (Cavan), Shane Walsh (Galway), Paul Conroy (Galway), Michael Langan (Donegal), Ciarán Thompson (Donegal), Conor Sweeney (Tipperary), David Clifford (Kerry).