The 2019 PwC Football All-Star Team has been revealed this evening, with Dublin dominating the XV. Seven players from the All-Ireland champions made the team, but one in particular has caught the attention of viewers.
Brian Howard had a stellar year for Jim Gavin's side, acting as one of the key players in an incredibly talented team. Usually lining out at wing forward, Howard would often switch positions in game and covered various areas of the pitch.
That being said, he never really lined out at centre back. That's what was so surprising about his place in the All-Star team.
Howard was given the number six position in the team, sharing the halfback line with Jack McCaffrey and Paddy Durcan. We have seen similar things in years gone by, with players being accommodated with selections in positions they never played in.
You certainly couldn't argue that Howard doesn't deserve an All-Star, but to put him in the halfback line seems a very strange call.
Unsurprisingly, people were not happy.
Brian Howard is fully deserving on an all star. But at centre back ...... pick players in their best positions.if others lose out so be it !!!
— Conor.mortimer (😷)⚽️ (@Conmort) November 1, 2019
Brian Howard getting an All Star at 6 proves that the All Stars in current format are an absolute joke..
— Peter O'Leary (@poleary7) November 1, 2019
All stars are embarrassing, brian Howard picked at Centre back. Unbelievable player but, Jesus, Centre back
— Bobby Haughton (@Bobert_Haughton) November 1, 2019
Brian Howard getting an all star at number 6. That's enough tv for tonight. #GPA #GaaAllStars #Gaa
— Paul Munnelly (@Munners_) November 1, 2019
No disrespect to Brian Howard who is a hell of a footballer, but how in the honour of Christ does a half forward get an all star as a centre back, Colm Boyle, Donal Keoghan and Ryan McHugh very hard done by #allstars
— Karl Gibney (@karlgibo_1) November 1, 2019
Don’t remember Brian Howard playing many games at centre back this year???!!! All star number 6?????!!!! #notimpressed #allstars
— Gary Alder (@gartommat) November 1, 2019
#allstars ahh jaysus lads.. Brian Howard at centre back..?? 🤔🤔
— Donal Fitzgerald (@DonieFitz) November 1, 2019
Brian Howard getting an all star at centre back makes a joke of the whole awards. saying that he deserved one in the half forward line.
— Mike0 (@daighy) November 1, 2019
Brian Howard centre back is like some sort of sick Halloween joke. #pwcallstars
— Crottys Lemybrien (@crottysinn) November 1, 2019
Brian Howard centre back... 😂
— Pádraig Nash (@nash_padraig) November 1, 2019
Couldn’t argue too much with the first 9 all stars there, Brian Howard at 6?🧐
— Daniel Forde (@Daniel_Forde97) November 1, 2019
Brian Howard getting an all star for centre back and cant recall him ever playing there all year #mickeymouseawards
— Lil oul ‘ Niall Rattigan (@niallrats1) November 1, 2019
Brian Howard’s Yearly Checklist:
Win Leinster ✅
Win All Ireland ✅
Win All Star ✅
Play Centre Back at any stage ❌. #PwCAllStars— Liam Kearns (@Kearns1010) November 1, 2019
Brian Howard is a fabulous footballer but to be named as an all star centre back makes a joke of the system
— Pat Fogarty (@LolaFogarty) November 1, 2019
Howard had a fantastic 2019 but putting him in at centre back does ring a bit hollow. There is no doubt he should be in the team, but in his correct position.
If we continue down the route of picking players in this manner, some have argued that positions in the team should be abolished altogether, with the All-Stars simply rewarding the best 15 players in the country.
