DUBLIN BELIEVE THEY were ‘harshly judged’ by receiving just 6 GAA/GPA Opel All-Star Football awards.

The Allianz League, Leinster and All-Ireland champions were honoured with the inclusions of Jonny Cooper, Philly McMahon, Brian Fenton, Diarmuid Connolly, Ciaran Kilkenny and Dean Rock in the annual selection.

But county board CEO John Costello believes the Sky Blues should have had more.

Writing in his annual report to county board convention, Costello congratulates all of the 15 recipients, “particularly our own players”, but takes issue with Dublin’s haul.

He said: “The annual All-Stars perennially generates great debate.

“This year it could be argued was a case of the ‘known knowns, known unknowns and unknown unknowns’ (© Donal Rumsfeld).

Dublin 'harshly judged' in All-Star selection, says county board CEO John Costello. James Crombie / INPHO James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO

“That is the definites, the probables and the possibles resulting in a few contentious selections.

Congratulations to all those who were honoured by the awards scheme, particularly our own players, but I think it would be remiss not to suggest that Dublin were a bit harshly judged in receiving just six awards after a season which saw Jim Gavin’s men go unbeaten through the League, Leinster Championship and All-Ireland Series, to secure back-to-back All-Irelands.

“It was somewhat mystifying that some players who were not always present be it through being subbed in games, black-carded, or more general card trouble or simply not being picked in the first place, were attributed the same rating as if they had been always present, while players who played consistently were down-graded by dint of not delivering a flawless performance on some occasions.”

The42 is on Instagram! Tap the button below on your phone to follow us!

‘Diarmuid Connolly was struck about 6 times before the ball was even thrown in’

‘We were heartbroken’: Cuala used the pain of 2015 defeat as a driving force this year