All-Ireland champions Armagh pick up six All Star awards in the PWC GAA/GPA Team of the Year

Barry McCambridge, Aidan Forker, Ben Crealey, Rian O’Neill, Oisin Conaty and Conor Turbitt have made the cut, as the Orchard County level the same number of winners as they did when they last brought Sam home in 2002.

McCambridge – who is also one of three nominees to win Footballer of the Year at the awards show which takes place on Friday night – got forward from corner back to chip in with crucial goals in the All-Ireland quarter-final against Roscommon and semi-final against Kerry.

The Clann Eireann man was also a capable man-marker, facing up against and getting the better of some of the most dangerous forwards in Ireland such as Shane McGuigan, David Cifford and Shane Walsh.

Maghery duo Forker and Crealey were part of the spine which brought All-Ireland glory to Armagh for the first time in 22 years. Forker was captain fantastic and led from defence, often marauding forward to knock over spectacular scores from distance, whilst Crealey – who has often been an unsung hero in the past – gets his rewards for his work rate and dependability around the middle of the field.

Armagh’s fourth All Star winner is Crossmaglen man Rian O’Neill - who has finally got his hands on the honour after several years of knocking on the door. The Orchard County’s talisman picked up several positions between midfield and attack and got better as the year went on.

His stand-out display came against Kerry in the semi-final where he kicked one of the scores of the year in attack, and claimed the ball on his own goal-line in the dying seconds in defence.

Conaty was rguably the revelation of the year, having started with a strong league campaign and held his form throughout the year. However, he saved his best performance for the biggest day of all, chipping in with three crucial points in a Man of the Match display as Armagh defeated Galway in the All-Ireland final.

Conor Turbitt was Armagh's top scorer of both the League and the Championship, scoring a whopping 5-54 (69) – 27 points more than the second highest scorer.

In 2024, Turbitt became the marquee forward everyone in Armagh knew he could become. That was most evident in their semi-final win over Kerry, when his points in extra-time helped get Armagh over the line and into their first All-Ireland final since 2005.

However, at least a couple of players will feel aggrieved to have been left out.

Blaine Hughes was tipped to win the award having conceded just five goals throughout the entire League and Championship, whilst his kick-outs more often than not were on the money. He showed his character and heart by playing through an injured medial ligament in the All-Ireland final.

Arguably the biggest omission from the team is Dromintee’s Aaron McKay. He was arguably Armagh's most consistent player of the year across the League and Championship.

With a string of impressive displays at full back, he should have been in the team for his defensive exploits alone. However, the icing on the cake for McKay came in the All-Ireland final, as he hit the net for the first time in his Armagh career and that goal proved crucial as his side won the Sam Maguire.

2024 GAA / GPA Team of the Year: Niall Morgan (Tyrone); Johnny McGrath (Galway), Barry McCambridge (Armagh), Peadar Mogan (Donegal); Dylan McHugh (Galway), Aidan Forker (Armagh), Craig Lennon (Louth); Paul Conroy (Galway), Ben Crealey (Armagh); Rian O’Neill (Armagh), John Maher (Galway), Oisin Conaty (Armagh); Rob Finnerty (Galway), Oisin Gallen (Donegal), Conor Turbitt (Armagh).