ALTHOUGH it will be a little different this year, the 2020 All-Star nominations will be announced soon and naturally this selection always causes a stir.

When I sit down to pick my team I take a few things into consideration. Sometimes the heart can rule the head on these things so for me it’s important to look at the whole story and not to be blinded by a breakthrough win like the ones Tipperary or Cavan footballers had this year.

For me, when looking at things like this, I like to judge players on how they performed on the national stage, and also how their team performed in the big games.

The first choice on my team was probably the most difficult as again you have to look at the full picture.

So here is my team from the 2020 All-Ireland series.

RAYMOND GALLIGAN – CAVAN

He gets the nod just ahead of Stephen Cluxton and it took me a while to decide on that. He will be best remembered for kicking the winning point from 55 yards against Monaghan when they claimed their way back into that game. With his performances, and Cavan’s breakthrough win, he gets the nod for the No. 1 jersey.

OISIN MULLIN – MAYO

For me he was a real shining light in that game against the Dubs and he put in some shift. If Mayo are to finally get their hands on Sam then their defence will be built around this guy in the coming years.

MICHAEL FITZSIMONS – DUBLIN

Goes quietly about his business but make no mistake about it, he is Dublin’s main firefighter. His seventh All-Ireland absolutely will go down as one of the best.

EOIN MURCHAN – DUBLIN

I’m going with this guy in the corner as sometimes he is given that task for the Dubs depending on their opponents, but he is equally comfortable at wing-back. Again, does everything quietly but with amazing efficiency.

PADDY DURCAN – MAYO

For me he was Mayo’s best player this year. With Lee Keegan playing more as a corner-back this year, Durcan took up the mantle and drove his team forward with devastating effect.

JAMES MCCARTHY – DUBLIN

Not a lot more we can say about this man. He is ‘Mr Consistency’ and is a real Rolls Royce of a footballer. Can play anywhere from No. 2 to No. 9 and would still dominate.

JOHN SMALL – DUBLIN

He adds the steel to the Dublin team with his no nonsense approach to the game. A real warrior and he also had a great club campaign with Ballymun earlier in the year.

BRIAN FENTON – DUBLIN

Still to experience what losing a championship match feels like. Remained the master around the middle this season again and the Dublin team is beginning to evolve around him.

THOMAS GALLIGAN – CAVAN

Like Fenton, Galligan sets the tone for the Cavan team. Turned in a few warrior-like performances and fully deserves his All-Star.

NIALL SCULLY – DUBLIN

The unsung hero of the Dublin team, Scully had a huge final and had a big hand in both of their goals. Kicked a fine score to start the second half and was absolutely everywhere.

CIARÁN KILKENNY – DUBLIN

Will most likely pick up the Player of the Year award. He is so important to the Dublin machine. His standards never drop.

CON O’CALLAGHAN – DUBLIN

Like McCarthy this man can play anywhere. He had a massive final and always seems to player better when the pressure is highest. What a player this man is.

CILLIAN O’CONNOR – MAYO

Shot the lights out against Tipperary and remains key to what Mayo do with his accuracy from placed balls and his work-rate. He is so important to the Mayo team at the minute.

CONOR SWEENEY – TIPPERARY

We have known about this lad’s quality for some time and when Tipp needed him this year he stood up with some amazing scores. His last-gasp point out on the sideline helped Tipp survive against Limerick and, as they say, the rest is history as they marched on in Munster.

DEAN ROCK – DUBLIN

Another ‘Mr Consistent’ – Dublin seem to have so many of these in their team and Dean is certainly one of them. Keeps the scoreboard ticking at all times and when a big kick is need he is the man who always looks for the ball.

Talking about All-Stars, news filtered through yesterday of the passing of another club legend Anton Rodgers, the husband of Brid Rodgers of the  SDLP.

Anton would take his place in any All-Star team.

Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.