All-star line-up revealed
ST PATRICK'S were the dominant force in Louth GAA last year and they have come out on tops in the inaugural Drogheda Independent
/ Argus Club Championship AllStar team of 2011 too.
More than 2,000 votes were cast over the past three weeks in our text poll and the final XV is a formidable outfit - on paper at least!
Pats lead the way with five players in the talented line-up and few could argue with the inclusion of defensive lynchpins Darren O'hanlon, Owen Zamboglou or of course, the 'unofficial' club player of the year and former All-ireland All-star, Paddy Keenan.
But it the was the terrible O'connor twins up front that really gave Pats the cutting edge they have been missing in recent seasons and both Eoin and Daniel made the full-forward line.
In selecting nominees we felt it was important to cover all three championship grades and that decision was justified by the huge support for Mark Savage, Eamonn Mullen and Paul Callan.
Savage played a pivotal role in St Fechin's Christy Bellew success, while Mullen's scoring prowess was instrumental in getting Glen Emmets to the Junior decider. Lannleire didn't quite make it to the final, but Paul Callan was one of the Junior grade's highest scorers and is a worthy recipient of the no. 15 shirt.
Elsewhere in the forwards, Geraldines' and Naomh Malachi's leading lights, Jim Mceneaney and Jason Clarke, made the wing forward positions their own.
Paddy Keenan is partnered in midfield by Liam Shevlin, who enjoyed an outstanding season for club and county, while Shevlin's clubmate Cian Mcevoy also made the grade in the half back line, ensuring the Clogherhead club were the only team other than St Patrick's to be represented more than once.
The spread was 10 clubs in total and Intermediate champions O Raghallaigh's have a worthy winner at left half back in Alan Doyle. Last but not least, partnering Darren O'hanlon in the full-back line is Sean O'mahony's man Shane Brennan at full back and tenacious Gaels corner back Eamonn Kenny in his customary no. 4 slot.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all Louth gaels who cast a vote. All 15 players will be presented with a lasting memento of their achievement in the coming weeks. Full details to follow.
