Evergreen Stephen Cluxton became the oldest ever All Star at last night’s PwC sponsored ceremony at the RDS.
Cluxton, who turns 42 next month, collected a seventh All Star and was one of five winners from the All-Ireland champions.
The nine-time All-Ireland winner was already the oldest ever football All Star following his 2019 award.]
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But he has now surpassed another goalkeeping legend, Kilkenny’s Noel Skehan, who won an All Star at 39 years of age in 1983.
The other big winner on the evening was Enda Smith, who claimed Roscommon’s first All-Star since Francie Grehan back in 2001, bridging a 22 year gap.
Boyle star Smith is also the first All Star not to have competed in an All-Ireland semi-final since Donegal’s Michael Murphy back in 2019.
Roscommon didn’t make the All-Ireland quarter-finals, bowing out in a one point preliminary quarter-final defeat by Cork.
But the quality of Smith’s displays were recognised by the selectors with man of the match efforts in three championship games.
The full county by county breakdown is Dublin (5), Kerry (4), Derry (4), Monaghan (1) and Roscommon (1).
Among those who were unfortunate to miss out were Kerry goalkeeper Shane Ryan, who barely put a foot wrong this year, and Galway’s force of nature skipper Sean Kelly.
Sublime Dublin attacking duo Cormac Costello and Paul Mannion and their defensive colleague Brian Howard also had very strong claims for a place in the team.
Eyebrows may be raised at the positioning of James McCarthy at right half back, given that he played most of his football at midfield this year.
But with three outstanding midfielders on display this year - proven by Brian Fenton and Brendan Rogers earning two of the three Player of the Year nominations - something had to give in the team.
It was felt that All-Ireland winning skipper McCarthy’s claims were too strong to be ignored and he was picked at right half back, to land a fifth All Star.
Other notable feats included Paudie Clifford winning his third All Star in a row in just three inter-county seasons.
His younger brother David made it five All Stars in six years.
Remarkably, the Clifford brothers have played a combined total of nine years as Kerry regulars and won eight All Stars.
Others adding to their haul included Kerry duo Tom O’Sullivan and Sean O’Shea, who were both winning a third award apiece.
There were a total of seven first time award winners: Conor McCluskey, Gareth McKinless, Brendan Rogers, Shane McGuigan (all Derry), Conor McCarthy (Monaghan), Colm Basquel (Dublin) and Smith (Roscommon).
Derry’s haul of four All Stars means they have now had six different winners in the last two years after Conor Glass and Chrissy McKaigue won last year.
2023 PwC All Star Football Team
1. Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)
Age: 41
Club: Parnells
Seventh All Star
Kerry gave up going after his kickout early on in the All-Ireland final. Finished with 24/24 and two big dead ball points. Kept seven clean sheets in a row until All-Ireland final. Shane Ryan was superb this year, but Cluxton didn’t put a foot wrong.
2. Conor McCluskey (Derry)
Age: 24
Club: O'Donovan Rossa, Magherafelt
First All Star
Close to an All Star last year, a cert this year. When Cork goaled, he immediately made a Derry goal. Man marked Paudie Clifford excellently. Ran at Conor McManus to goal against Monaghan.
3. Michael Fitzsimons (Dublin)
Age: 35
Club: Cuala
Fourth All Star
Had difficulties with Tommy Conroy, Conor McManus and David Clifford, but sticky determination to stay with it and hard defending marks him out as the best man marker around. Always handed the most dangerous forward.
4. Tom O’Sullivan (Kerry)
Age: 27
Club: Dingle
Third All Star
Pretty much good for a point a game and has almost patented the outside of the left score from distance. Blotted in-form Cormac Costello out of the final.
5. James McCarthy (Dublin)
Age: 33
Club: Ballymun Kickhams
Fifth All Star
Another powerhouse season from the All-Ireland winning captain. Doesn’t appear to be slowing down. Superb when Mayo threatened in the quarter-final and good against Monaghan and Kerry.
6. Gareth McKinless (Derry)
Age: 29
Club: Ballinderry
First All Star
Really came into his own at Croke Park with awesome marauding displays against Cork and Kerry. Hit one goal against Kerry and almost shot a second. Great at going at his man.
7. Conor McCarthy (Monaghan)
Age: 28
Club: Scotstown
First All Star
His switch to wing back has been a revelation. Finished ninth top scorer from play in the Championship, hitting 2-11, including the winner in the preliminary quarter-final against Kildare.
8. Brian Fenton (Dublin)
Age: 30
Club: Raheny
Sixth All Star
Two-time Footballer of the Year has become the man for the final quarter of games with his huge athleticism, big scores and skill levels really kicking in. Two massive points in the final.
9. Brendan Rogers (Derry)
Age: 29
Club: Slaughtneil
First All Star
Almost won an All Star last year and found another level this year at midfield. Massive semi-final against Kerry, and two crucial points when Cork threatened. Hit a goal in the Ulster final.
10. Paudie Clifford (Kerry)
Age: 27
Club: Fossa
Third All Star
His third All-Star in a row in just three full inter-county seasons. Has it all really and probably the best link man in the country. Three crucial points against Dublin and won his running battle with Conor Meyler against Tyrone.
11. Sean O’Shea (Kerry)
Age: 25
Club: Kenmare Shamrocks
Third All Star
Didn’t hit the heights in the All-Ireland final, but did a lot of the hard graft when Dublin tried to run David Clifford. Destroyed Louth, great first half against Cork and came strong late on to down Derry.
12. Enda Smith (Roscommon)
Age: 29
Club: Boyle
Roscommon’s first All Star since Francie Grehan in 2001. Smith was man of the match in three games and hit 2-11. Also superb in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final defeat by Cork.
13. David Clifford (Kerry)
Age: 24
Club: Fossa
Fifth All Star
That’s five All Stars in six years for Clifford. Came very close to downing Dublin in the All-Ireland, after his nine points - four from play - helped Kerry edge Derry. Almost turned the Mayo defeat around and excellent in the Cork win.
14. Shane McGuigan (Derry)
Age: 26
Club: Slaughtneil
First All Star
Championship’s top scorer with 2-52 and fourth highest scorer from play with 1-22. Gave one of the great Derry all time displays in the Ulster final victory over Armagh, which went to penalties.
15. Colm Basquel (Dublin)
Age: 27
Club: Ballyboden St Enda’s
First All Star
Top scorer from play in Championship with 5-17 (27). A revelation on his return to the Dublin panel. Huge turnover for vital goal in All-Ireland final. Game breaking 2-2 v Mayo.
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