Clifford leads the way as Kerry dominate All-Star nominations

All-Ireland champions Kerry lead the way with a dozen nominees for the 2022 PwC GAA-GPA All-Star football awards, with talisman David Clifford the front runner for the player of the year award.

Eleven counties are represented among the 45-player shortlist, with the award ceremony to take place on Friday 28 October.

Not surprisingly, All-Ireland finalists Kerry and Galway provide close to half of the nominees, with 12 from the Kingdom supported by eight Tribesmen.

Ulster champions Derry have seven nominees, Leinster holders Dublin have six players included, while Armagh have five.

The other counties represented are Cork (2, Seán Powter and Steven Sherlock), with one each from Mayo (Lee Keegan), Kildare (Ben McCormack), Limerick (Cian Sheehan), Monaghan (Jack McCarron) and Clare (Eoin Cleary).

The Footballer of the Year accolade will be fought out between Clifford and Galway pair Cillian McDaid and Shane Walsh.

The Fossa man is expected to land the personal gong chosen by the players after a sensational 2022 season, with the lack of another Kerry option increasing the likelihood with no chance of a 'split vote’ as has been witnessed in previous years between team-mates.

Dublin’s Lee Gannon, Ethan Doherty of Derry and Galway defender Jack Glynn make up the three-man shortlist for that honour, which now comprises players who have turned 22 in the current year or younger.

Goalkeepers

Ethan Rafferty (Armagh), Shane Ryan (Kerry), Evan Comerford (Dublin)

Defenders

Jason Foley, Tadhg Morley, Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Graham O'Sullivan, Tom O’Sullivan, Gavin White (all Kerry); Liam Silke, Seán Kelly, John Daly (all Galway); Chrissy McKaigue, Conor McCluskey, Brendan Rogers (all Derry); James McCarthy, Lee Gannon (both Dublin); Lee Keegan (Mayo);