Kieran Donaghy and Diarmuid Connolly among football All Stars

'Bagging 1-2 from play was good enough, but Kieran Donaghy also created several other scores and sent panic through the Donegal defence every time the ball went in his direction'

Dublin's Diarmuid Connolly is challenged by Donegal's Éamonn McGee, as Frank McGlynn looks on during the All-Ireland SFC semi-final at Croke Park. Photo: Tomás Greally / SPORTSFILE

thumbnail: 'Bagging 1-2 from play was good enough, but Kieran Donaghy also created several other scores and sent panic through the Donegal defence every time the ball went in his direction'
thumbnail: Dublin's Diarmuid Connolly is challenged by Donegal's Éamonn McGee, as Frank McGlynn looks on during the All-Ireland SFC semi-final at Croke Park. Photo: Tomás Greally / SPORTSFILE
Cliona Foley

KIERAN Donaghy's late-season heroics for Kerry have won him a third All-Star and, as expected, Dublin's Diarmuid Connolly has finally got a long-overdue one.

The Austin Stacks man only started two championship games for the All-Ireland champions this year but Donaghy's heroics off the bench against Mayo in their drawn semi-final, and his pivotal role in the replay and All-Ireland final, were enough to get him the nod.

He is one of five Kerrymen to make the cut in this year's football team of the year.

Paul Murphy, Peter Crowley, David Moran and the hot tip for 'Footballer of the Year'  - James O'Donoghue - are among the 2014 GAA/GPA's All-Star team, in association with Opel, which was released this morning.

Beaten finalists Donegal receive four awards and both of the beaten semi-finalists - Dublin and Mayo and Dublin - have three each.

Despite the error that coughed up Donaghy's vital goal in the All-Ireland final Donegal's Paul Durcan got the goalkeeping slot.

Three more of the beaten All-Ireland finalists are also included: Neil McGee at fullback, Neil Gallagher at midfield and Michael Murphy at centre-forward.

Dublin's three inclusions are their two half-forwards Connolly and Paul Flynn and wing-back James McCarthy and Connolly, like Neil McGee, is also still in the running for the 'Player of the Year award which will be revealed tomorrow night.

IT may count as minor consolation for what happened on the last day of August, but Paul Flynn enters the GAA annals today as Dublin's first ever four-in-a-row All Star.

Mayo's latest All-Star trio are defenders Keith Higgins and Colm Boyle and two-time 'Young Player of the Year' Cillian O'Connor.

In all there are six first-time winners, with Connolly joined by Paul Murphy, McCarthy, Crowley, Moran, and Cillian O’Connor.

Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Liam Ó Néill congratulated the winners, saying: “After an All-Ireland medal All-Star awards are cherished and the tradition and significance attached to them remind us of legacy that previous winners have left behind.

GPA CEO Dessie Farrell added: “Congratulations to this year’s All-Star footballers on their contributions to a magnificent season. While the team will always take precedence the award scheme allows us to shine a light on the brilliant individual performances during the year."

The hurling selection will be announced live on RTÉ television tomorrow evening when the 'Player of the Year' and 'Young Player of the Year' in both codes will also be revealed.

The nominees for this season's best young footballer are Donegal's Ryan McHugh and Paddy McBrearty and Galway's Shane Walsh.

2014 GAA/GPA Football All-Stars sponsored by Opel

1. Paul Durcan (Donegal)

2.  Paul Murphy (Kerry)

3.  Neil McGee (Donegal)

4. Keith Higgins (Mayo)

5. James McCarthy (Dublin)

6. Peter Crowley (Kerry)

7. Colm Boyle (Mayo)

8. Neil Gallagher (Donegal)

9. David Moran (Kerry)

10. Paul Flynn (Dublin)

11. Michael Murphy (Donegal)

12. Diarmuid Connolly (Dublin)

13. Cillian O’ Connor (Mayo)

14. Kieran Donaghy (Kerry)

15. James O’ Donoghue (Kerry)

all stars