Bernard Brogan hot favourite to win All Star award

The All Ireland might be done and dusted but there’s still plenty to say about this year’s championship. Paddy Power are once again the first out of the traps with the GAA All Star Awards betting.

Not surprising Dublin Full-Forward Bernard Brogan is the 1/500 flaming hot favourite to win an All Star alongside Cork’s Daniel Goulding at 1/12 but there’ll be a bit of controversy in this category. Kerry’s Colm Cooper had his best year ever and is by far the best footballer out of his generation – it looks like the third spot will be between him and Cork’s Donncha O’Connor.

But the category grabbing the most attention at the moment is probably the Half-Back list. Kildare’s Eamon Callaghan sticks out like a sore thumb here. He usually plays forward so his inclusion amongst the likes of McKernan and Kissane looks very suspect indeed and Paddy Power have already seen his odds collapse to 5/2 from an opening 16/1.

As for the hurling, Kilkenny legend Henry Shefflin is a rather unconvincing 5/2 to pick up his 10th All Star in a row. It remains to be seen whether his early performances in the championship were enough to get him through after he came off injured in the semi and the final. His main competition will come from fellow county mate Eoin Larkin at 4/5 as both Noel McGrath and Lar Corbett look shoo-ins at 1/33 and 1/500.

Sharon McHugh, spokesperson for Paddy Power, told Bettingpro:

“Looking at the odds it looks pretty clear cut as to who’s in the running to pick up an All Star but saying that these awards always manage to throw up a few surprises, the most famous probably being the omission of Brian Whelehan from the credits in 1994, despite going on to win Hurler Of The Year.”