Brogan and Fennelly honoured as players of year
Dublin playmaker Alan Brogan capped off a memorable inter-county season for himself by winning the GAA GPA Footballer of the Year award at tonight's banquet event in the capital.
With a much cherished All-Ireland winner's medal in his back pocket, Brogan picked up the prestigious individual honour at the televised awards ceremony.
He is the second successive Footballer of the Year from Dublin, coming on the back of his younger brother Bernard's triumph twelve months ago.
Alan beat off stiff competition from his team-mate Stephen Cluxton, the All-Ireland final hero, and Kerry's goal-scoring ace Darran O'Sullivan.
He was a vital cog in the Dublin machine that annexed the Leinster and All-Ireland titles and reached the Division 1 final in the Allianz Football League.
Meanwhile, Kilkenny's former All-Ireland winning captain Michael Fennelly was a very worthy winner of the Hurler of the Year gong.
Fennelly was hugely influential in the Cats' successful Leinster and All-Ireland Championship campaigns this summer. He scored 1-5 from midfield, including a goal in the All-Ireland final win over Tipperary.
The Ballyhale Shamrocks clubman was selected ahead of fellow nominees, Pádraic Maher from Tipperary and Kilkenny's Tommy Walsh.
Brian Cody's side have dominated this award in recent seasons. Fennelly is the fourth Kilkenny man to win it in the past six years, joining a select group which comprises of Henry Shefflin (2006), Eoin Larkin (2008) and Walsh (2009).
Each player selected in the Opel-sponsored 2011 Hurling and Football All-Stars teams receives €1,500 for the use of their image for promotional purposes, while Brogan and Fennelly collect a €5,000 cheque each.
Elsewhere, Mayo sharpshooter Cillian O'Connor was acknowledged as 2011's Young Footballer of the Year and the Young Hurler of the Year honour went to the versatile Liam Rushe, who excelled for the Dublin seniors and Under-21s this year.
Three players from some of the lesser hurling counties were also given awards. Kerry's Shane Nolan, who is part of the Ireland Under-21 panel for the Hurling/Shinty international against Scotland, was a deserving winner of the Christy Ring Player of the Year award.
London's Martin Finn, who was unable to attend tonight's ceremony, was announced as the Nicky Rackard Player of the Year and Niall Campbell from Donegal received the Lory Meagher honour.
GAA GPA PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARD WINNERS -
Footballer of the Year: Alan Brogan (Dublin)
Young Footballer of the Year: Cillian O’Connor (Mayo)
Hurler of the Year: Michael Fennelly (Kilkenny)
Young Hurler of the Year: Liam Rushe (Dublin)
Christy Ring Player of the Year: Shane Nolan (Kerry)
Nicky Rackard Player of the Year: Martin Finn (London)
Lory Meagher Player of the Year: Niall Campbell (Donegal)
