Early days but star quality already starting to show
Considering the best in this year’s competition, here are the names we should remember:
Most surely not somebody who let his side down in Sunday’s final. A collection of saves in keeping with the top shot-stopping form he showed against Kerry, Westmeath and Mayo.
Only Roscommon managed to score goals against Cavan this year, two in total. At the heart of that fortified stance was full-back Dunne, who is quickly becoming one of the most consistent defenders.
He might have lost his contest with Eoghan O’Gara on Sunday but outside of Mark Lynch, McKaigue was the primary reason why Derry upset the odds and reached the league final this year. A real leader.
The Ballymun Kickhams man more than compensated for his red card in the earlier league game against Derry with a thoroughly fine campaign. The full-back line looks more assured when he’s present.
How Malachy O’Rourke has revitalised Mone since last year, a player once known more for his antics than his football. The Clontibret man was man of the match in Sunday’s Division 2 final but his form was excellent in the round stages.
Roscommon’s goalscoreron Saturday, Keenan’s displays have been a real highlight in his county’s upsurge this year. He’s the modern day half-back who is fully aware his duties extend to gamekeeping as well as poaching.
Arguably was Dublin’s best defender throughout their successful Division 1 title defence where he looked just as competent in the half-back line as he did closer to Stephen Cluxton. He impressively stifled Derry’s Mark Lynch on Sunday.
Look back on Dublin’s goals these last few games and see how many of them last year’s footballer of the year was involved in. Box-to-box is a soccer term but it’s most certainly an appropriate one to describe the industry of this player.
The second of three players who saw red in our team but don’t let hismoment of madness against Monaghan fool you: Kavanagh led the show in helping Jim McGuinness’s Donegal make it back into football’s top flight.
Like most of the established Cork players, Kerrigan had to come to the understanding that game-time had to be spread around evenly as Brian Cuthbert got his bearings. When he did start, the Nemo Rangers player made it count.
One of several Derry players who has embraced Brian McIver’s management and Paddy Tally’s coaching. He’s more skilful than Macauley but possesses the same kind of bustling style that makes him so difficult to stop when he has momentum.
Yes, like his fellow wing-forward Paul Flynn, he wasn’t available for a good portion of the campaign but he contributed top-drawer performances in the wins over Tyrone, Cork and Derry.
May have been starved of possession in the second half of Cork’s semi-final defeat but up until then, Hurley was getting better with each game. His ability to manufacture a score from most angles is what makes him so deadly.
Eoghan O’Gara (Dublin)
Is it age or the fact O’Gara’s finally overcome his hip problems that has seen him record a terrific individual campaign? The strength of the player was always obvious but his football skills are shining through now.
Looked unmarkable in the games against Dublin, Kildare and Tyrone, James O’Donoghue is truly stepping into the leadership mantle vacated by the injured Colm Cooper. It was only when the supply line was cut in matches that he was quiet.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
