1. Rory Beggan – Monaghan
Beggan was awarded the man of the match award in Monaghan’s draw with Armagh on Saturday – not only did he maintain his clean sheet but he also finished the game as the top scorer with five beautifully struck frees.
2. Jonny Cooper – Dublin
Cooper is becoming one of Dublin’s most consistent and important players. The Wexford full-forward line, containing Ciaran Lyng, was reduced to scraps. When brought out the field in the second-half Cooper was equally effective, never shying away from taking responsibility.
3. Kevin Reilly – Meath
The big Meath full-back was talking pre-match about idolising Darren Fay as a youngster, a few more performances like this and he’ll be me joining the long list of legendary Meath number threes.
He gave Paddy Brophy an awaken to senior championship football, before holding Fogarty scoreless in the second half.
4. Fintan Kelly – Monaghan
Albeit operating in the half-back line, the Monaghan defender’s performance warrants a place on this team. He was a constant option in driving out of defence, while he was also composed and accurate in his distribution.
5. Paul Sharry – Westmeath
Sharry was excellent for Westmeath in the half-back line, where he’s been one of the few positives to emerge from their season. He scored two important frees, and was one of his team’s only players to consistently deliver over the 70 minutes.
6. Ciarán McKeever – Armagh
The Armagh captain was back to his best on Saturday, driving at the Monaghan defence, tackling ferociously, and mopping up the breaking ball.
7. Daniel St. Ledger – Carlow
The Carlow defender was the pick of the bunch in a spirited Carlow team performance on Saturday. As Carlow trailed by five points St Ledger inspired his team as he hit a number of long distance frees – one in particular from 60 metres gave his side a two point lead.
8. Daithí Waters – Wexford
Waters’ reputation continues to grow after he dismantled the Dublin midfield on Sunday. His fielding once again highlighted Dublin’s aerial weakness, while he also added a great goal late on.
Meanwhile the Monaghan midfield pairing of Dick Clerkin and Darren Hughes showed huge leadership following Conor McManus’ black card shortly after the interval.
9. Shane O’Rourke – Meath
Meath’s domination of Kildare was down to the winning of their key duels across the pitch. One of those was battle between Sean Hurley and O’Rourke, and the Simonstown midfielder won hands down. He fielded clean possession, scored a point and was denied by the post for a second.
Colm Cavanagh for Tyrone was also excellent in his battle with Paddy Keenan on Saturday.
10. Andrew Tormey – Meath
Tormey was handed the free taking duties in the absence of Micky Newman, and he demonstrated huge self-confidence in converting his two frees and in particular his first-half penalty. The bustling half forward also added a point from play where his physicality caused the Kildare defence problems.
11. Kevin Dyas – Armagh
Dyas looked the part at centre forward for Armagh, as he was an outlet for possession time and time again. His balance and awareness of space allowed him to act as the link man in a game dominated by blanket defences.
12. Paul Flynn – Dublin
Paul Flynn scored 1-2 from play on Sunday, the goal being the score of the game, but there was plenty more in this performance. His fielding, tackling and blocking bordered on exhibition stuff – the template for the modern wing forward.
13. Cormac Costello – Dublin
The youngster might of only played for 35 minutes against Wexford, but he still finished as the top scorer with 1-5. Costello is high on confidence, and while many of his scores were routine he showed the desire to put himself in the scoring positions. A desire which had been lacking before his introduction.
Tyrone’s Darren McCurry was also on-fire during the first half in Omagh on Saturday.
14. Stephen Bray – Meath
Mick Foley will be having nightmares about Stephen Bray after the run-around he experienced on Sunday. Bray scored four points from play and was integral in the early second-half goal. Meath will be delighted to have their full-forward back to his best after the injury concerns surrounding Newman, and the loss of Eamon Wallace.
15. Conor Laverty – Down
Laverty’s pace and movement terrorised the Leitrim defence, he scored 2-4 from play in Newry.
Meanwhile Podge Fogarty kept Kildare in the game during the first half, and Jamie Clarke and Stefan Campbell were ruthless with limited possession.
What changes would you make? Who have we left out?
