HOW THE TOP TWENTIES WERE COMPILED

THESE are not team selections but rather top 20s, with no requirement to have a set number of goalkeepers, midfielders, defenders or forwards, WRITES MARTIN BREHENY (pictured).

The splits between the various lines will vary very much according to the county.

That gives a fairer reflection of the individual merits of individuals as it allows for a number of players from a particular line to be chosen if they have stronger cases than colleagues from other areas.

For example, a county could have a few goalkeepers or none at all, depending of the quality of the No 1s compared to outfield players. That applies all over the pitch, so some counties will have more defenders than forwards and vice versa for others.

Similarly, some may have more than two midfielders, or maybe none at all.

Selection is based on a wide variety of criteria, including skill, consistency, leadership, presence, star quality and general impact.

Longevity is obviously a plus too, although there are examples of players who, for various reasons, had relatively short careers but who made a lasting impression. They too are included.

NEXT WEEK

MONDAY

The top 20 footballers and hurlers in Leinster county-by-county.

TUESDAY

The top 20 footballers and hurlers in Munster county-bycounty.

WEDNESDAY

The top 20 footballers and hurlers in Ulster countyby-county.

THURSDAY

The top 20 footballers and hurlers in Connacht county-by-county.

FRIDAY

The top 20 footballers and hurlers in Leinster, Munster, Connacht and Ulster.

SATURDAY

The top 20 footballers and top 20 hurlers nationally.