Our All-Star picks - goalkeeper
- Published
As it's awards season in gaelic games, our man John Haughey put his name to the players who he feels deserve the accolade of All-Star for 2024.
Let's start with the man between the sticks.
Blaine Hughes (Armagh)
Armagh could well be off the mark early with goalkeeper Blaine Hughes surely the favourite to take the number one jersey after a season where he kept 14 clean sheets in 17 competitive games although the county's defensive systems undoubtedly contributed to this.
Many expected Ethan Rafferty's return to fitness would have resulted in Hughes losing his starting role but McGeeney kept faith with the Carrickcruppen man and that decision was totally vindicated.
It emerged after the All-Ireland Final win over Galway that Hughes had got a bang on his right knee after colliding with team-mate Joe McElroy in the warm-up.
As a result, Hughes kicked the ball out with his weaker left foot on a number occasions in the game but remained as assured as ever in finding team-mates in an all-important aspect of the modern game.
The battle for the goalkeeping jersey is an Ulster affair with Tyrone's Niall Morgan and Donegal's Shaun Patton also in contention but it will be a surprise if Hughes isn't the choice.
Read John's full team selection here
