With just eight teams remaining in the hunt for the Sam Maguire, the debate about who should and should not be included in the All-Stars will gather pace in the coming days.
Rory Grugan won an All-Ireland Minor title with the Orchard County back in 2009, but success at senior level continues to elude the current squad. At 32, the Ballymacnab clubman won’t have any more chances to win an Ulster title. In sport, you don’t always get what you deserve, but Grugan remains one of the classiest footballers in the province.
The Errigal Ciaran clubman was on the 2008 All-Ireland winning minor team and broke through to the senior squad just as the great Tyrone team of the noughties, managed by his uncle Mickey, was breaking up. Harte could have graced any of Tyrone’s previous three All-Ireland-winning teams, but deservedly got his hands on a Celtic Cross in 2021.
His form might have dipped ever so slightly in recent outings and that’s hardly surprising even his exploits for club and county. However, the Glen star returned to his brilliant best as Derry defeated Mayo on penalties last weekend. Aaron McKay Armagh have had a tendency to chop and change at their starting 15 with Kieran McGeeney often struggling to name the same 15 for more than a few games running.