Armagh, All-Ireland Champions, Receive Six All-Star Awards

All-Ireland champions Armagh have been awarded six Football All-Stars, including Barry McCambridge, a contender for Footballer of the Year. Rian O’Neill and Conor Turbitt are among Armagh’s six recipients. Ulster champions Donegal and Tyrone also have players featured in the 2024 team. Beaten All-Ireland finalists Galway secured five awards, while Craig Lennon earned Louth’s first All-Star since Paddy Keenan in 2010, following his notable performances for the beaten Leinster finalists. Despite Tyrone’s season concluding with an All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final defeat by Roscommon, Red Hands goalkeeper Niall Morgan received his second All-Star, having previously been honored after the county’s Sam Maguire triumph in 2021. Morgan, the sole previous All-Star among this year’s honorees, was selected over fellow Ulster goalkeepers Blaine Hughes (Armagh) and Shaun Patton (Donegal). Ulster champions Donegal, however, also received two awards, with Peadar Mogan and Oisin Gallen recognized for their contributions during Jim McGuinness’ initial season back as manager. This marks the first occasion since 2003 that neither Dublin nor Kerry have players included in the All-Star XV. Dublin, the 2023 All-Ireland champions, saw four players—Sean Bugler, Brian Fenton, Con O’Callaghan, and Cormac Costello—nominated. Kerry’s four nominees, which included 2022 and 2023 Footballer of the Year David Clifford and his brother Paudie, were also not selected. David Clifford is excluded for only the second time as a senior Kerry player, having also been overlooked in 2020. GAA president Jarlath Burns stated, “To be included on the ultimate team of teams after what was a dramatic and memorable football season is a significant honour and I congratulate all of those who have been selected. We play a team game, but we have always reserved a special place for those Laochra Gael who cast a spell through the extraordinary heights and contributions that they make.” Armagh’s achievement of the footballing pinnacle for only the second time is marked by their first awards since Ronan Clarke won his second in 2008. In addition to McCambridge, captain Aidan Forker, Ben Crealey, Rian O’Neill, Oisin Conaty, and Conor Turbitt were also chosen. Alongside goalkeeper Hughes, the Armagh players not selected include All-Ireland final goalscorer Aaron McKay, Paddy Burns, Niall Grimley, and Rory Grugan. McCambridge occupies the position of full-back, with Galway’s Johnny McGrath at right corner-back and Peadar Mogan (Donegal) at left corner-back. Emulating his manager Kieran McGeeney’s achievement in 2002, Forker is named at centre-back after lifting Sam, with Galway’s Dylan McHugh at right wing-back and Lennon at left wing-back. Crealey shares the midfield with Galway’s Footballer of the Year nominee Paul Conroy. In the half-forwards, O’Neill and Young Footballer of the Year nominee Conaty are accompanied by another Galway Footballer of the Year contender, John Maher. The full-forward line comprises Galway’s Rob Finnerty, Armagh top scorer Turbitt, and leading Donegal marksman Gallen. Burns added, “Those of us from the Orchard County are still basking in the glow of our triumph of last summer and I know that the clubs who waken up today knowing they have All-Stars as well as All-Ireland medals in their ranks will be enormously proud – something that every club lucky enough to be represented will feel.” The GAA’s All-Stars ceremony is scheduled for Friday evening, when the Hurling All-Stars, Hurler of the Year, and Footballer of the Year are set to be revealed. The 2024 Football All-Stars team is: Niall Morgan (Tyrone); Johnny McGrath (Galway), Barry McCambridge (Armagh), Peadar Mogan (Donegal); Dylan McHugh (Galway), Aidan Forker (Armagh), Craig Lennon (Louth); Paul Conroy (Galway), Ben Crealey (Armagh); Rian O’Neill (Armagh), John Maher (Galway), Oisin Conaty (Armagh); Rob Finnerty (Galway), Oisin Gallen (Donegal), Conor Turbitt (Armagh).