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James O'Donoghue has been named as the GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year

The Kerry attacker has polished off a dream year with this award.

THIS AWARD WAS little more of a surprise tonight than the actual announcement of this yearโ€™s football Allstar team, which was of course revealed midweek.

James Oโ€™Donoghue was odds-on for the award as soon as he smashed 10 points against Cork in this yearโ€™s Munster final, and the Legion attacker continued his form throughout the summer.

Far from a one-, two-, or three-trick pony the attacker demonstrated pace, power and no shortage of skill, edging him ahead of fellow contenders Neil McGee of Donegal and Dublin and St Vincentโ€™s Diarmuid Connolly for tonightโ€™s award.

Talking in receipt of the award, Oโ€™Donoghue said that this yearโ€™s success has whet the appetite for further glory in the Kingdom.

โ€œThe competition for the football is crazy. The Dubs are always going to be tough but I think there are six or seven teams who can win it, but we got the bit of luck this year.

It does whet the appetite when you win one as the success does taste pretty sweet and hopefully we can win another one in the next few years.

officialgaa / YouTube

Meanwhile Ryan McHugh continued the trend of picking up the Young Footballer of the Year award without having been selected as an Allstar. The last to win both awards was Corkโ€™s Aidan Walsh back in 2010.

The versatile and supremely talented Donegal half forward beat team mate Paddy McBrearty and Galwayโ€™s Shane Walsh to the award.

Ryan McHugh and Bridget Molloy Cathal Noonan / INPHO Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO

St. Vincentโ€™s look to retain their Dublin SFC crown while Donaghy faces Oโ€™Sullivan in Kerry final

โ€˜Itโ€™s almost incredulous in its make-upโ€™ โ€“ Twitter reacts to the Allstars

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    Mute Eoin McCormack
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    Oct 5th 2013, 1:46 PM

    no lescott is totally at fault

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    Mute James Murphy
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    Oct 5th 2013, 1:47 PM

    Iโ€™m no Man City supporter but I canโ€™t see what hart did wrong, put up a clip of Negredoโ€™s goal, could Howard save that.

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    Mute Aidan O'Leary
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    Oct 5th 2013, 4:13 PM

    Aguero can bearly score a penalty

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    Mute Aodhan Fogarty
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    Oct 5th 2013, 2:11 PM

    Hart is been exposed by a weak defence heโ€™s average keeper.. Man cityโ€™s back 4 are leaking in the goals this season

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    Mute Sportsmadmonkey
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    Oct 5th 2013, 2:09 PM

    There didnโ€™t seem to be a huge power in the shot, the goalkeeper seemed to get a decent hand behind the ball. Keeper at fault, lescottโ€™s mistake notwithstanding!

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    Mute Bad Lieutenant
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    Oct 5th 2013, 2:06 PM

    His Hart gave out again.

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    Mute James Murphy
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    Oct 5th 2013, 2:21 PM

    Booooooooooooooo!

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    Mute Aidan O'Leary
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    Oct 5th 2013, 10:37 PM

    The head and shoulders again

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