Would this rest of Ireland 15 beat Dublin?

Niall McIntyre

Dublin are so dominant right now.

Mayo have been the only team to really lay a glove on them in the last four years but as the Dubs improve with each passing year, the chasing pack falls further behind.

There’s talk of splitting Dublin to even the whole thing up, there’s talk of everything and anything.

We’ve compiled a team of gaelic football’s finest outside of the capital city.

1 Rory Beggan (Monaghan)

There was uproar when this man didn’t make The Sunday Game’s All-Star team, with Stephen Cluxton getting selected ahead of him. The Scotstown club man has one of the most beautiful right feet Gaelic football has ever seen. His kick-outs are drilled to chest with laser-like accuracy and it doesn’t matter whether his targets are close or far away – it’s all the same to him.

He’s also a decent shot-stopper. As a keeper, he has it all.

2 Keith Higgins (May0)

Fiery, fiesty, tenacious and sticky. Higgins has everything you want in a corner back and more.

3 Drew Wylie (Monaghan)

Teak-tough and also has a surprising penchant for a score. One of Monaghan’s leaders over the last few years, he minds the house with distinction.

4 Padraig Hampsey (Tyrone)

He’s kept Michael Murphy quiet and he’s got the better of Conor McManus. He was Tyrone’s man-of-the-match in the All-Ireland final.

5 Ryan McHugh (Donegal)

If there’s any player who shows off the new brand of wing backs it’s Donegal’s Ryan McHugh. The Kilcar flier bombs up and down the pitch in every game he plays and usually it’s the wing forward who ends up marking him.

6 Lee Keegan (Mayo)

Keegan didn’t hit full throttle this year and it’s no coincidence that Mayo didn’t either. Injuries hampered him in 2018, you can bank on Mayo’s gazelle galloping back into form if he gets a good run of it in 2019.

7 Karl O’Connell (Monaghan)

It’s hardly surprising that the Monaghan missile was an underage athletics talent given his dashing pace and staying power, he’s also as accurate a shooter as there is and just like Ryan McHugh, wing forwards aren’t really forwards when Karl O’Connell is sniffing.

8 Gary Brennan (Clare)

Probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves because of where he’s from but Brennan will stand out against even the best opposition. Powerful and direct, he kicks points for fun.

9 David Moran (Kerry)

After a poor year by his standards, he just about shades Enda Smith for this position. He really is the textbook midfielder. So athletic, he covers ground like a thoroughbred and he plucks ball from the sky all day long.

10 Shane Walsh (Galway)

So skilful he doesn’t know which foot is his bad one. Glides past defenders with his smooth solo and his deceptive dummies. He’s coming of age now and it’s a sight to behold.

11 Michael Murphy (Donegal)

In full flight, there’s no sight better in gaelic football.

12 Peter Harte (Tyrone)

The Ginger Messi didn’t enjoy his best year in 2018 but there’s no denying his quality. Can play in any position on the park but his skills are put to best use up in the forwards.

13 David Clifford (Kerry)

Going to be the best forward in the country.

14 Michael Quinlivan (Tipperary)

The Clonmel Commercials ace has it all. Pace, power, skill, nerve and style.

15 Conor McManus (Monaghan)

The best forward in the country.

So would this line-up beat Dublin?

And the Dublin team.

The Dublin team named to start against Tyrone in tomorrow's ultimate battle! 💪#DUBVTYR pic.twitter.com/Mv29faptFH

— Dublin GAA (@DubGAAOfficial) September 1, 2018