With the return of inter-county Gaelic football finally arriving this weekend, the big question is can any team stop the Dubs doing the six in a row.
Below we have selected an all-star fifteen we believe could win the All Ireland. The only rule with this alternative all-star fifteen. Only one player from any county can be named in the team.
1 – Graham Brody (Laois)
The Portlaoise man made our list of the country’s top 5 goalkeepers and is selected in this starting fifteen. His forays up the field are well known at this stage but just as importantly the Laois No 1 is a tremendous shot stopper when needed.
2 – Brian Malone (Wexford)
Classy Malone thinking only about the team and not this weekend’s personal milestone | Official Wexford GAA” />
A legend of Wexford football, the Shelmeliers club-man has been a thorn in the side of many a top quality forward for the past 15 seasons. A versatile player who can play all over the defence, he is worthy of his place for longevity alone.
3 – Ronan Mcnamee (Tyrone)
Mr Dependable at full back, the 28 year old has become arguably the standout full back in the game with his consistent displays in the Tyrone defence. The Aghyaran club-man was a well deserved All Star recipient in 2019.
4 – Aidan Forker (Armagh)
The 28 year old has become Kieran Mcgeeney’s go to man for snuffing out the threat of the opposition’s best forward recently. An attacking player by nature, the Maghery man has now had to curb that somewhat but the benefits to his team from the switch have been evident over the last year or so.
5 – Lee Keegan (Mayo)
The 30 year old former footballer of the year is without doubt one of the players of his generation.
A brilliant attacking half back, the Westport man has also developed into a top quality man marker over the years and is often tasked with curbing the influence of some of the best forwards in the country these days.
6 – Donal Keogan (Meath)
The Meath man is selected to run the ship from centre back in this select fifteen.
The 29 year old’s attacking play from the half back line grabs plenty of headlines, but the Rathkenny man is equally as good at the defensive side of the game.
7 – Niall Daly (Roscommon)
An All Star nominee in 2019 the Padraig Pearses man is another great attacking outlet, capable of picking off important scores from the half back line.
8 – Brian Fenton (Dublin)
A brilliantly-worked goal from @RahenyGAA during the week- finished off by Brian Fenton 👏
Raheny are back in #DSFC1 Quarter Final action this afternoon against @BodenGAA. Watch it live on Dubs TV ➡️ https://t.co/3doFA84Xfh pic.twitter.com/UCDLbiMPrH
— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) August 30, 2020
The finest midfielder in the land. The Raheny man is Dublin’s representative on this team and for good reason.
The 27 year old has won an All Ireland every year of his senior inter-county career to date, and few would bet against him collecting another one if the Championship is concluded in 2020.
9 – Kevin Feely (Kildare)
Kevin Feely fires to the net for @KildareGAA pic.twitter.com/ooTf8dtnXb
— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 29, 2019
Without doubt one of the finest midfielders in Gaelic football today.
Influential in leading Kildare’s attacks from midfield, the former soccer player with Newport County is also a brilliant fielder of the ball and will be instrumental to Jack O’ Connor’s Kildare side when action resumes.
10 – Ruairi Deane (Cork)
A classy player, the Bantry man is an ever increasing influence on Ronan McCarthy’s Cork side as they bid to reclaim their county’s position as a force in Gaelic football. A brilliant fetcher of the ball out around the middle, the 29 year old is also a brilliant runner with the ball making him very hard to stop for any opposing defence.
11 – Michael Murphy (Donegal)
Michael Murphy taking full advantage of the mark to put Donegal back ahead.
LIVE now on eir sport 1! #AllianzLeagues #MatchNightLive pic.twitter.com/BneP97x9ms
— eir Sport (@eirSport) January 25, 2020
The Donegal legend could have been placed in numerous positions on this team with his ability in midfield and at the edge of the square matched by only a select few in the game.
It is at centre forward where he will do his best work for this team though, where he can drift inside and out the field to have an even larger influence over the team.
12 – Shane Walsh (Galway)
The 27 year old had been starring at full forward for Padraig Joyce’s Galway team before football was halted in the Spring, but he is named at No 12 in this selection.
This will not stifle him in any way however, as his natural ability on the ball and guile around the pitch mean he can act as a launchpad for attacks from out the field.
13 – David Clifford (Kerry)
Already a superstar in Gaelic games and still only 21, Clifford is the most talked about Gaelic footballer in many years.
From his minor days with the all conquering Kerry side to now, he has established himself as a generational talent and is on his way to becoming a legend.
14 – Michael Quinlivan (Tipperary)
The Clonmel Commercials star had originally opted out of the 2020 campaign, but the delayed season due to the coronavirus pandemic means that the 27-year-old will now be available for selection.
The return of the 2016 All-Star is a huge boost to Tipperary boss David Power as he looks to guide the team to Division 3 safety in the League, while building momentum for their Munster Championship quarter final against Clare on November 1.
15 – Conor McManus (Monaghan)
What a point! Watch this class score from Conor McManus! pic.twitter.com/UopRcS9Y9e
— The GAA (@officialgaa) May 20, 2018
No player has contributed more to Monaghan’s development over the course of the past decade than their superstar forward Conor McManus.
The Clontibret star has positioned himself as one of the best forwards to ever play the game through his incredible skill and score taking ability and is a fitting final inclusion to this select fifteen.
