1. Neil Gallagher – Louth
The Louth shot stopper was immense in the first half for Louth on Sunday. Excellent reaction saves on Niall Kelly and Padraig Fogarty kept Louth in the game early on, but he couldn’t save the points and Kildare managed 22 of those.
2. Conor Carty – Wexford
The tenacious corner back was given a man marking job on Longford’s Sean McCormack who had terrorised Offaly in the opening round.
Carty played from in front early on, and was equally tight on his man as McCormack came further afield for possession. Tom Cunniffe was excellent for Mayo although Diarmuid Murtagh’s introduction unsettled the Mayo full back line.
3. Niall Carty – Roscommon
The orthodox full-back had struggled massively against Alan Freeman last summer, but in holding him scoreless this time around he gave Roscommon a good platform.
In a mass defensive effort by the Roscommon team, Carty was a focal point both as captain and as their full back.
4. Jonny Cooper – Dublin
Cooper was as equally effective in breaking up Laois attacks on Sunday as he was starting Dublin ones. Cooper intercepted a certain goal at a vital stage in the game, while he was unlucky not to add on a point with a shot off his weaker foot in the first half.
5. Emmet Bolton – Kildare
Bolton managed three points for Kildare, and along with Keith Cribbon he was constantly available in space for his teammates and showed all his experience in taking his points when possible goal chances were on offer.
6. Colm Boyle – Mayo
In a disappointing Mayo performance Boyle was one of the Mayo players to up the physicality and press the Roscommon team in possession, and in doing so turn the tide for Mayo.
Brian Malone was also excellent for Wexford.
7. Colm Begley – Laois
Begley was a constant outlet for Laois, as his fitness levels allowed him to keep up if not out run the Dublin players. Begley made a crucial block while the game remained a contest, and he won a large number of Stephen Cluxton’s kickouts throughout.
8. Shane Ahearne – Waterford
It was hard to look past John O’Loughlin who was immense for Loais, but Shane Ahearne was vital in Waterford’s revival against Clare.
The big midfielder managed two points of his own as well as setting up several more.
9. Daithí Waters – Wexford
Waters was fantastic for Wexford as he entirely dominated the middle of the park against Longford. Waters added a point, but his energy, hard work and in particular his overlapping runs caused endless problems for Longford.
10. Paul Flynn – Dublin
Once more Flynn was excellent for the Dubs, managing three points to go with his hard work and ball winning capabilities.
Caolan Rafferty was top scorer in a tit for tat Ulster championship clash between Armagh and Cavan. That wasn’t hard though as he only needed a goal to do so, but what a goal that was.
11. Niall Kelly – Kildare
Niall Kelly played in the pocket between the full and half forward line for Kildare, and he was the catalyst for attack after attack in the first half in particular.
Donie Kingston had his moments for Laois.
12. Paul Barden – Longford
Barden was outstanding for Longford, he scored three points from play as he took on his man time and time again.
Cathal Cregg also worked hard for Roscommon.
13. Ross Munnelly – Loais
Munnelly was outstanding for Laois, he finished up with seven points and he was possibly the standout performer of the weekend.
Cillian O’Connor was one of Mayo’s better players against Roscommon, while when Senan Kilbride wasn’t in his own back line he was always dangerous for the Rossies.
14. Paul Whyte – Waterford
The young Waterford attacker managed 1-2 against Clare, showing a lot of class with his equalising point in the final stages of the game.
David Tubridy scored 1-3 for Clare in a disappointing performance by them.
15. Ciarán Lyng – Wexford
Lyng was the weekend’s top scorer as he terrorised the Longford defence. He scored 1-4 from play and he set the template for a hard working Wexford performance from corner forward.
Jamie Clarke had his moments for Armagh as did Mayo’s Kevin McLoughlin.
