A week of Honours for David Moran and Kerry

Up through the ranks: Kerry full-forward, David Moran bounces this ground ball away from Tipperary full back, John Coghlan during the 2006 ESB Munster Minor Football Championship first round game in Newcastle West.  ©Photograph:  John Reidy  26/04/2006
Up through the ranks: Kerry full-forward, David Moran bounces this ground ball away from Tipperary full back, John Coghlan during the 2006 ESB Munster Minor Football Championship first round game in Newcastle West.
©Photograph: John Reidy 26/04/2006

After an incredible fightback from career-threatening injuries, David Moran’s football career has come full circle after he was named at midfield in this year’s GAA/GPA All-Stars line-up.

To add to his honours list for the year, the Kerins O’Rahillys GAA Clubman has also been named as the only Kerry player on the All-Stars team to travel to Australia for the latest installment of the tests between Ireland’s GAA elite and their opposites in the Aussie Rules series.

His Castleisland based relations, the Brownes and the Tangneys will be delighted with his progress – as indeed they were during his dad, Denis ‘Ógie’s’ honour-laden years in the green and gold.

Like his father before him, Moran set Croke Park alight this season and produced some of the best all-action midfield displays witnessed for years, particularly in the semi-final against Mayo.

He recovered from serious cruciate and eye injuries to become one of the most powerful performers in the game and this wonderful success is no more than the Kerins O’Rahilly’s player deserves.

James O’Donoghue picked up his second All-Star award in a row and was also named Footballer of the Year.

The Killarney Legion star, who won his first All-Star last year, broke the hearts of opponents in this year’s campaign and he is now one of the game’s real superstar players.

Rathmore’s Paul Murphy who had a brilliant first season at the top level and bossed Ryan McHugh in the final is included as is Peter Crowley at centre half back following solid performances in this year’s provincial and All-Ireland campaigns.

Kieran Donaghy is named at full-forward and despite that fact that he started just two games this year, the impact he made when it mattered most was impressive.

The big disappointment for Kerry supporters is the shock exclusion of Donnchadh Walsh and Aidan O’Mahony both of whom would have been very worthy All-Star recipients.

However, the week belongs to David Moran who has been named among Ireland’s footballing elite and for the fact that he has made the Irish team for the Australian test trip.