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The All-Star line-up

Armagh skipper Kieran McGeeney seems a certainty to win an Allstar
Kieran McGeeney lifts aloft the Sam Maguire Cup
There were no major shocks when Ulster and Armagh scooped the pot in the 2002 Vodafone All-Star awards.

The All-Ireland champions picked up six awards while the inclusion of Tyrone's Peter Canavan and Donegal's Kevin Cassidy made it Ulster's best year since 1994.

Leading the parade was Armagh's iconic skipper Kieran McGeeney who added to an already momentous season.

The Mullaghbawn native has already won numerous Man of the Match awards and earlier this month lifted Gaelic Players' Association's Footballer of the Year title.

There could be another accolade for the popular Armagh captain as he is odds-on favourite to pick up the Players' Player of the Year award.

That will be judged by his peers and will be announced at the Vodafone All-Star presentation ceremony at Dublin's Citywest on Friday evening.

There could be further honours coming Armagh's way at that ceremony.

Although he will be disappointed at not making the final selection, teenage full-forward Ronan Clarke is favourite to lift the Young Player of the Year mantle.

The other Armagh men in the All-Star list are Aidan O'Rourke, Enda McNulty, Paul McGrane, Steven McDonnell and Oisin McConville.

Armagh forward Oisin McConville got the crucial goal in the All-Ireland final
Oisin McConville on All-Stars at left half-forward

Meanwhile, there was a minor surprise with the inclusion of Tir Chonall's Cassidy getting the left half-back spot.

But one cannot argue with the inclusion of Tyrone's inspirational Peter Canavan, who picks up his four All-Star award.

The Errigal Ciaran star has been a relevation for club and county all season and deserves to get a place in the forward line, albeit at right-corner forward.

The second most-successful county was Dublin who landed three awards with Kerry two with Sligo and Cork picking up one apiece.

The awards are not a record for Armagh or Ulster, however.

In 1992, Donegal collected seven and Ulster 10 in all, while Derry and Donegal won seven respectively in 1993 and 1994.

John McEntee has definitely been the best centre half-forward in Ireland this year

Joe Kernan

Armagh boss Joe Kernan described the county's haul as the "icing on the cake after a tremendous year".

"I do feel a bit sorry for the players who didn't get one but six is a nice total," said Kernan.

The Armagh manager acknowledged disappointment as John McEntee missing out on the centre half-forward award.

"He has definitely been the best centre half-forward in Ireland this year - scoring 2-12 from play.

"If he hadn't had to go off in the All-Ireland Final because of concussion, he would have been an automatic choice".

All-Star awards:
Goalkeeper: Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)
Right full-back: Enda McNulty (Armagh)
Full-back: Paddy Christie (Dublin)
Left full-back: Anthony Lynch (Cork)
Right half-back: Aidan O'Rourke (Armagh)
Centre half-back: Kieran McGeeney (Armagh)
Left half-back: Kevin Cassidy (Donegal)
Centre-field: Paul McGrane (Armagh)
Centre-field: Darragh O'Se (Kerry)
Right half-forward: Steven O'Donnell (Armagh)
Centre-half forward: Eamon O'Hara (Sligo)
Left half-forward: Oisin McConville (Armagh)
Right corner-forward: Peter Canavan (Tyrone)
Full forward: Ray Cosgrove (Dublin)
Left corner-forward: Colm Cooper (Kerry)


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