All-Star Gazing looks back at 50 years of the awards scheme

All-Star Gazing, a book which marks the 50th anniversary of the All-Stars in 2021, has been launched.

The book has been written by Moira and Eileen Dunne, daughters of one of the scheme’s founding journalists, Mick Dunne, and covers the history of Ireland's longest running sports awards scheme with contributions from over 100 leading hurlers and footballers, a full listing of every All-Star team since 1971 and, for the first time ever, a record of every player nominated over 50 years.

Labhrás Mac Cárthaigh, Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, has greeted the launch of All-Star Gazing, saying: “The GAA All-Stars is the most prestigious sporting awards scheme in Irish society and has gone from strength to strength since its inception in 1971.

“While the GAA and various sponsors – current partners PwC among them – have played a central role in running the scheme, one of the most important pillars of the All-Stars has been its independence and integrity provided by the role of GAA journalists making the all-important selections of both nominees and overall winners.

“To that end, it is fitting that the Dunne sisters, Eileen and Moira, should be the driving force behind this excellent publication to mark the 50th anniversary.”

Feargal O'Rourke, managing partner, PwC, added: “We would like to congratulate Moira and Eileen Dunne on the launch of their fantastic book celebrating the 50-year history of the All-Stars. The book showcases a superb collection of All-Star players down through the decades whose talent, teamwork and sheer determination have awed us all.

“As proud sponsors of the PwC All-Stars, we are delighted to celebrate the 50th anniversary and to show our support for the book. No doubt it will be in high demand with all GAA fans.”

Fifty years on since the start of the awards scheme, the story of the All-Stars has now been penned by Moira and Eileen Dunne, daughters of Mick Dunne, who along with his fellow journalists, Paddy Downey, John D. Hickey and Pádraig Puirséal, got the scheme up and running in 1971.

Using their father’s records as a starting point, the sisters met over 100 All-Stars and other stakeholders who shared their memories of All-Star banquets, All-Star trips along with reflections on what the accolade means to the players, families and communities.

Since the inception of the awards, 51 All-Stars have been handed out to Mayo players, starting in the very first year with Johnny Carey right up to Oisin Mullin and Cillian O'Connor in 2020.