Cork footballer Daniel O'Mahony nominated for an All-Star

Cork defender Daniel O’Mahony has been rewarded for his outstanding performances with an All-Star nomination.

The Knocknagree player is the sole Rebel representative in this year's PwC All-Star football shortlist, which was announced on Thursday morning, with All-Ireland champions Armagh the dominant presence with 11 players. O'Mahony was previously selected as the Sigerson Cup Player of the Year in 2023.

In what was an underwhelming season for the Leesiders where they fell at the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final stage, it was a campaign where O’Mahony firmly established himself as a real leader and is now a mainstay in John Cleary’s team. It’s easy to forget that O’Mahony is still only 24 years of age. 

The defender was most notably outstanding in curbing Kerry talisman David Clifford in the Munster semi-final in Fitzgerald Stadium back in April. It was a thankless task, especially when he was often isolated on the Kingdom star. Clifford finished up with 0-4, three from play, but O’Mahony won his share of duels. Cork fell short that day on a scoreline of 0-18 to 1-12 on what was a missed opportunity for the Rebels.

The highlight of Cork’s season was the 3-9 to 0-16 success over Donegal at a rocking Páirc Uí Rinn back in June. The All-Ireland Group 3 Round 2 encounter was one to remember for the Leesiders, with O’Mahony’s man-marking job on Donegal sharpshooter Oisín Gallen proving crucial. Gallen did end up with 0-3, but just one came from play.

Cork’s season ended in disappointing fashion with the 1-9 to 1-8 loss to Louth in the All-Ireland preliminary quarter-final in Inniskeen on Sunday, June 23. It looked like the Rebels would reach the quarter-finals for the third season on the bounce when O’Mahony scored a goal after 34 minutes following a marauding run up the pitch to push Cleary’s charges four points clear. It would end in heartbreak when Sam Mulroy converted a questionable free for the Wee County.

O’Mahony will be hoping to end a 12-year wait for a Cork footballer to make the All-Star team when Colm O’Neill and Aidan Walsh were honoured in 2012. The gala event will take place on Friday, November 1.

All-Star nominations 

Goalkeepers 

Blaine Hughes (Armagh), Shaun Patton (Donegal), Niall Morgan (Tyrone).

Defenders 

Aaron McKay, Barry McCambridge, Aidan Forker, Paddy Burns (all Armagh), Peadar Mogan, Ryan McHugh, Caolan McGonigle, Brendan McCole (all Donegal), Johnny McGrath, Dylan McHugh, Liam Silke (all Galway), Craig Lennon, Donal McKenny (both Louth), Brian Ó Beaglaioch, Tom O’Sullivan (both Kerry), Seán Bugler (Dublin), Brian Stack (Roscommon), Daniel O’Mahony (Cork).

Midfielders 

Niall Grimley, Ben Crealy (both Armagh), Michael Langan (Donegal), Brian Fenton (Dublin), Tommy Durnin (Louth), Paul Conroy (Galway).

Forwards 

Rian O’Neill, Conor Turbitt, Oisín Conaty, Rory Grugan (all Armagh), Cillian McDaid, John Maher, Rob Finnerty, Shane Walsh, (all Galway), David Clifford, Paudie Clifford (both Kerry), Con O’Callaghan, Cormac Costello (both Dublin), Ryan O’Donoghue, Aidan O’Shea (both Mayo), Oisín Gallen (Donegal), Darragh Canavan (Tyrone), Sam Mulroy (Louth), Diarmuid Murtagh (Roscommon).

PwC GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year Nominees 

Barry McCambridge (Armagh), Paul Conroy, John Maher (both Galway).

PwC GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year Nominees 

Oisín Conaty (Armagh), Johnny McGrath (Galway), Ciarán Moore (Donegal).