Ryan McHugh has been named as an All-Star for the second time, it has been confirmed.
The Kilcar man is the sole Donegal representative on the 2018 PwC All-Star football team.
McHugh was previously an All-Star in 2016 and was the GAA’s Young Player of the Year in 2014.
McHugh has been recognised by the committee chaired by GAA President John Horgan and containing senior Gaelic Games Correspondents. He was a key performer in Donegal’s winning of the Ulster SFC, scoring a goal in the Ulster final win over Fermanagh.
Donegal captain Michael Murphy and Eoghan Ban Gallagher had also been among the 45 players shortlisted.
Gallagher can count himself very unfortunate to have missed out after a flawless year.
The Killybegs man netted Donegal’s other goal in the Ulster final and had a superb campaign.
Dublin’s four in-a-row winning All-Ireland champions have been honoured with seven places on the final selection.
Jim Gavin’s all-conquering side are the dominant presence in a selection that sees Dublin claim seven awards across defence, midfield and attack, with Monaghan claiming three, Tyrone two and one place each awarded to Kerry, Galway and Donegal.
“The PwC All-Stars are a byword for excellence and high standards,” Horan said.
“An All-Star is an award that is guaranteed to stand the test of time and those fortunate to be ranked among the best of the best join a most distinguished group of GAA heroes.
“I congratulate all of those who have been nominated and especially chosen in the final 15. This is a huge moment in the career of any player, and equally means so much to their families, their counties and also the clubs who set them out on this road.”
The announcement of the 2018 PwC All-Star Hurling team will be made live on Friday night, as will the announcement of the Footballer and Hurler of the Year and awards for Young Footballer and Young Hurler of the Year.
The player of the year awards are voted on exclusively by the players. The nominees for these are Brian Fenton, Ciaran Kilkenny and Jack McCaffrey for Player of the Year and David Clifford, Brian Howard and Michael McKernan shortlisted for Young Player.
Tags:2018 PwC Football All-Stars
Goalkeeper
- 1. Rory Beggan (Monaghan)
Defenders
2. Jonny Cooper (Dublin). Previous winner in 2016
3. Colm Cavanagh (Tyrone). Previous winner in 2017
4. Padraig Hampsey (Tyrone)
5. Karl O’Connell (Monaghan)
6. James McCarthy (Dublin). Previous winner in 2014 & 2017
7. Jack McCaffrey (Dublin). Previous winner in 2015 & 2017
Midfielders
8. Brian Fenton (Dublin). Previous winner in 2015 & 2016
9. Brian Howard (Dublin)
Forwards
10. Paul Mannion (Dublin). Previous winner in 2017
11. Ciaran Kilkenny (Dublin). Previous winner in 2015 & 2016
12. Ryan McHugh (Donegal). Previous winner in 2016
13. David Clifford (Kerry)
14. Conor McManus (Monaghan). Previous winner in 2013 & 2015
15. Ian Burke (Galway)
