1. Rory Beggan – Monaghan
Beggan did his ever growing reputation no harm against Tyrone. He marshalled a fantastic Monaghan defensive performance, keeping a vital clean sheet, and managed two crucial long range points himself.
Meath’s Paddy O’Rourke also looked the part against Carlow.
2. Colin Walsh – Monaghan
Walsh heads an all-Monaghan full back line, which held the Tyrone trio of Stephen O’Neill, Ronan O’Neill and Darren McCurry to just two points from play.
Walsh had Ronan O’Neill in his pocket from early on, and the former Sigerson winning captain seems to have carried last summer’s form into this year’s championship.
3. Drew Wylie – Monaghan
Wylie was rightly named as Man of the Match, as he set the standard for his fellow Monaghan defenders from the full-back line. Wylie forced Stephen O’Neill out the field, and he was equally polished with his distribution while in possession.
4. Fintan Kelly – Monaghan
Named in the corner, Kelly did play a more advanced role at times as his two points recognised. He was outstanding throughout, and his tireless overlapping runs pierced the Tyrone blanket to great effect.
5. Vinnie Corey – Monaghan
The experienced defender organised his defence throughout while his physicality in the centre laid the platform for a famous Monagahn win. He kept Sean Cavanagh quiet in the first half, forcing Mickey Harte to move him in to the middle of the park after the interval.
6. Mattie Donnelly – Tyrone
Tyrone’s centre back drove his team forward from defence, as Monaghan’s tactic of deploying a retreating half-forward line allowed the converted defender to attack at will. Scored three points and was the catalyst for a number of other chances.
7. Dessie Mone – Monaghan
Mone, like Corey and Clerkin, used every bit of the experience and hurt of previous defeats to Tyrone to carry Monaghan to victory on Sunday. The wing-back was crucial in breaking the Tyrone tackles and creating overlaps for his team inside.
8. Gary Brennan – Clare
Brennan was last week overshadowed by his Waterford opponent Shane Ahearne, but after the Waterford midfielder received an early black card on Saturday, Brennan entirely dominated proceedings.
Scoring 1-2 from midfield, all of which came from play, Brennan was the main man for Clare once more.
9. Dick Clerkin – Monaghan
Clerkin came in to the Monaghan team after an injury to Eoin Lennon, and the vastly experienced midfielder worked his socks off for Monaghan in the middle. He made numerous turnovers and was efficient with his distribution.
An honourable mention for Meath’s Shane O’Rourke who made a decent return to championship football, scoring two points against Carlow.
10. Andrew Tormey – Meath
Tormey played much of the league in the middle of the park, but operating from the half-forward line against Carlow, the powerful Meath man looks to be an exciting addition to the Meath team. He finished with 1-3, and his goal will have raised a few Kildare eyebrows.
Clare’s Shane McGrath was also in good form against Waterford.
11. Sean Cavanagh – Tyrone
Cavanagh moved out to midfield for much of the second half, yet once more regardless of his position, the five time All-Star took the game to Monaghan when his county needed it most. The Farney defence struggled to contain his direct running and he finished up with two classy points.
12. Bryan McMahon – Meath
McMahon was making his championship debut on Sunday, but in the opening half an hour (when the game remained a contest) the youngster really stood up for Meath. He scored 1-1 from play, as well as setting up Stephen Bray’s goal with a fantastic pass.
13. Paul Broderick – Carlow
Broderick was one of the few positives Carlow can take from their drubbing. The corner-forward was ruthless from placed balls, and his concentration didn’t waver as the game became a non contest into the second half — finishing with five of his team’s six points.
Kieran Hughes was also dangerous inside for Monaghan with two points from play.
14. Mickey Newman – Meath
There’s not much more that he could have done: 3-2 against Carlow on Sunday, and the towering Meath marksman is now sure to be in confident mood against Kildare in the Leinster semi-final.
Shane Brennan also took his goal chance well for Clare and he was a target inside throughout.
15. JJ Hutchinson – Waterford
Hutchinson managed four points from play against Clare, making him the game’s top scoring forward. One long-range point in the first 15 minutes demonstrated the young attacker’s talents.
The other contender was Darren McCurry who could have won Tyrone the game if he hadn’t been black carded with 12 minutes remaining.
