FORMER Cavan captain Mark McKeever reckons that a number of outstanding performers on the present panel could be in line for an All-Star after their unforgettable run to the All-Ireland semi-final.

While their season came to an abrupt end in Saturday’s defeat to Dublin, it’s likely that a healthy smattering of Cavan players will be nominated at the very least for the annual All-Stars ceremony, which are expected to be held in February.

Goalkeeper Raymond Galligan, raiding half-back Ciaran Brady and veteran half-forward Martin Reilly did their chances no harm whatsoever with impressive performances against the Dubs, while Thomas Galligan and Padraig Faulkner are others who should make the shortlist.

It’s hard to believe but only two Cavan players have ever been awarded an All-Star – Ollie Brady in 1978 and Dermot McCabe in 1997 – but it makes a bit more sense when you consider the awards started in 1971.

McKeever, who hung up the boots with Cavan in 2015, hopes that their one-sided defeat to Dublin won’t count against them when the selection panel comes together.

“We’d a couple of nominations last year which was great to see. It was always going to be hard to impress in the Dublin game, but I think there’s still a few major contenders for an All-Star.

“Thomas Galligan and Ciaran Brady have been very good, and I think Martin Reilly has been immense even though he goes about his business fairly quietly.

“His overall contribution has been outstanding this last number of years.

“Obviously Raymond has been huge for us, I think he’s a real shout for an All-Star. He wasn’t always a goalkeeper and it’s a credit to him that he’s developed into one of the best in the country. His kick-outs have been great, but you have to mention his shot-stopping as well. He kept Cavan in games, he made two or three saves a game in the Ulster Championship games, sometimes when we were behind. Padraig Faulkner has been very good as well for us.”

In terms of their performance against Dublin, McKeever said they did about as well as could be expected given Dublin’s quality. They started off strongly but struggled to cope once Dublin found their groove.

“To be honest I thought they played fairly well. Whenever Cavan made a mistake they were punished for it whereas they might’ve got the chance to turn the ball back over against a different team.

“It wasn’t as if Cavan made a pile of mistakes but there’s just a bit of a gap between Dublin and everyone else, Mayo are probably as close as anyone’s going to get. Playing at that level should help Cavan, it’s a massive learning experience for them.”

The Gowna clubman sees no reason why Cavan can’t maintain their good form in next year’s championship, but he says it’s imperative that they achieve promotion from Division Three as soon as possible. While some of their players are the other side of 30, others had breakthrough seasons this year so the future looks bright.

“The likes of Gearoid McKiernan and Martin Reilly have been there for years and are obviously very experienced individuals, but Mickey has brought through a lot of fellas who are in their early years.

“They’ve had two great runs in the Ulster Championship in the last two years and I think that should stand to them going forward.

“The key thing is that they get out of Division Three as soon as possible, it’s a big step up if they’re playing Donegal or Tyrone in the Ulster Championship a few weeks later. For me they should be well fit for playing in Division One, they mightn’t be one of the top three or four teams but I think they’re better than Division Two.”

McKeever didn’t get a chance to play in an Ulster final during his 13 seasons with Cavan, but he has more sympathy for the players who narrowly missed out on their first Ulster Championship triumph since 1997. Cian Mackey called it a day back in January, while Dara McVeety and Conor Moynagh took a year out. McKeever says that they have plenty left in the tank so maybe they’ll get their chance yet.

“I didn’t play in any Ulster finals then all of a sudden we’re in two finals in-a-row. I’m sure the lads who took time out are a bit envious, but they didn’t take a year out for the sake of it, they obviously felt it was right for them and the time commitment is huge.

“The likes of Conor will feel that they gave three or four years in them and a break might refresh them. They’re a bit unlucky but maybe they’ll come back stronger with the break, and the huge experience they have can help bring the team along.”