Gaelic Football: Armagh lead the way in All-Stars nominations

Armagh defender Barry McCambridge is the favourite to win the 2024 Footballer of the Year after the list of nominees were reeleased this morning.

McCambridge, who helped the Orchard County to their first All-Ireland title since 2002 with victory over Galway, is one of 11 Armagh players nominated for an All-Star award.

He's joined on the shortlist for Footballer of the Year by Galway duo Paul Conroy and John Maher. Armagh are also represented in the hunt for Young Player of the Year where Oisín Conaty is joined by Galway’s Johnny McGrath and Donegal’s Ciarán Moore.

Goalkeeper is an all-Ulster affair where Niall Morgan, Shaun Patton and Blaine Hughes are nominated.

Armagh lead the way in defence, midfield and attack, with Connacht champions and beaten All-Ireland finalists Galway claiming eight spots, and Ulster champions champions Donegal well represented with seven places.

Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “To be nominated for a PwC All-Star is a significant honour and a magnificent achievement.

"After the enthralling football season that we savoured, to be deemed to have been an essential part of that and to be one of the key players who made it so spectacular is something special.

"I congratulate all 45 players who are announced today, and I know it will be relished by their families and clubs. I particularly want to acknowledge the contribution of the players shortlisted for the PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Year and Young Player of the Year and salute them on this additional honour."

The nominations were chosen by a panel of Gaelic Games journalists from across, print, radio, TV and digital media. The All-Stars scheme stretches back to 1971, and the event will take place at a special banquet in the RDS on Friday, November 1 – the 140th anniversary of the formation of the GAA.

Goalkeepers (3)

Blaine Hughes (Armagh), Shaun Patton (Donegal), Niall Morgan (Tyrone)

Defenders (18)

Aaron McKay (Armagh), Barry McCambridge (Armagh), Aidan Forker (Armagh), Paddy Burns (Armagh), Peadar Mogan (Donegal), Ryan McHugh (Donegal), Caolan McGonigle (Donegal), Brendan McCole (Donegal), Johnny McGrath (Galway), Dylan McHugh (Galway), Liam Silke (Galway), Craig Lennon (Louth), Donal McKenny (Louth), Brian Ó Beaglaioch (Kerry), Tom O’Sullivan (Kerry), Seán Bugler (Dublin), Brian Stack (Roscommon), Daniel O’Mahony (Cork)

Midfielders (6)

Niall Grimley (Armagh), Ben Crealey (Armagh), Michael Langan (Donegal), Brian Fenton (Dublin), Tommy Durnin (Louth), Paul Conroy (Galway)

Forwards (18)

Rian O’Neill (Armagh), Conor Turbitt (Armagh), Oisín Conaty (Armagh), Rory Grugan (Armagh), Cillian McDaid (Galway), John Maher (Galway), Rob Finnerty (Galway), Shane Walsh (Galway), David Clifford (Kerry), Paudie Clifford (Kerry), Con O’Callaghan (Dublin), Cormac Costello (Dublin), Ryan O’Donoghue (Mayo), Aidan O’Shea (Mayo), Oisín Gallen (Donegal), Darragh Canavan (Tyrone), Sam Mulroy (Louth), Diarmuid Murtagh (Roscommon)

PwC GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year Nominees

Barry McCambridge (Armagh), Paul Conroy (Galway), John Maher (Galway)

PwC GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year Nominees

Oisín Conaty (Armagh), Johnny McGrath (Galway), Ciarán Moore (Donegal)