1. Steven O’Brien (Tipperary)
At the third time of asking, O’Brien tasted success last Thursday in a Munster U21 football final against Cork. He made quite an impact as well. The Ballina player’s aerial ability and point-kicking are key assets while his raking deliveries to the forward line will be something Dublin will seek to kick out.
An established Tipperary senior player, O’Brien’s midfield battle with Shane Carthy will be crucial in Tullamore. He’s already accumulated plenty success in his career – All Ireland minor football and hurling titles, the Croke Cup and the Sigerson Cup – and O’Brien is eager to add a national U21 crown to that collection.
2. Conor McHugh (Dublin)
After winning the Player of the Year award at this level last year, McHugh was always going to be a marked man in U21 clashes in 2015. That hasn’t stopped him pitching in with 0-16 in the three assignments that Dublin passed en route to lifting the Leinster title in Navan earlier this month.
With Killian O’Gara and Cormac Costello having endured injury problems, McHugh has provided great attacking leadership. The Na Fianna club man is tipped to make a strong push at senior level for Dublin but before that he’ll be trying to unlock the Tipperary back line.
3. Enda Smith (Roscommon)
A key attacker for the Roscommon U21′s last year along with his brother Donie, Enda Smith has continued to exert a major influence in 2015 as Roscommon seek to ensure their All-Ireland campaign ends on a successful note this year.
Boyle club man Smith provides a creative and scoring threat. He notched a hat-trick of goals against Sligo and has already been a shining light this year on the DCU team that lifted the Sigerson Cup.
4. Lee Brennan (Tyrone)
Trillick forward Brennan may not have started in Tyrone’s Ulster quarter-final against Fermanagh but he’s left his mark since then. He was sprung from the bench in that provincial opener and knocked over three points.
In from the start for the semi-final against Armagh, he bagged 0-4 and matched that total in the final win over Donegal. A forward that Roscommon will need to nullify.
5. Colin O’Riordan (Tipperary)
The participation of Tipperary’s captain was in doubt before last week’s Munster final. The news that he was fit and available was a major boost to the Tipperary camp, the presence of an inspirational leader lifting their spirits.
Still only 19, he is an all-action player who is comfortable in a multitude of positions. The JK Brackens got forward to post two important points in the finale against Cork. His ability to control the middle third will be something that Dublin will seek to quell.
6. Eric Lowndes (Dublin)
Another survivor from last year’s All-Ireland U21 winning team, Lowndes is part of the half-back line that Dublin will want to use as a launchpad for dominance against Tipperary. Last year Lowndes played as a half-forward but has reverted to a wing-back post this season.
The St Peregrine’s club man burst to prominence on the Dublin minor football and hurling teams that contested the 2012 All-Ireland finals. It’s football that he is focused on now and he’ll be hoping that U21 displays can be a springboard to senior recognition.
7. Diarmuid Murtagh (Roscommon)
After posting 0-10 in the semi-final against Cork and 2-3 in the final against Dublin, Diarmuid Murtagh’s 2014 U21 displays ensured that his threat was well-advertised before this season’s campaign.
That hasn’t diluted his impact the St Faithleach’s club man’s impact this year. He took the Sligo defence for 2-5 and the Galway rearguard for 1-7 in the Connacht championship this spring. Tyrone will be mindful of curbing his scoring power.
8. Cathal McShane (Tyrone)
The form of McShane at midfield has been instrumental in Tyrone’s progress to date. After winning the county’s first Ulster U21 crown since 2006, Tyrone will be hoping to kick on now in the All-Ireland series.
McShane will need to be policed and Roscommon should watch out for his scoring contributions as well. He weighed in with 0-6 from his midfield berth in their three games to date with the scores against Armagh particularly crucial.
