Tyrone player ratings: Conor Meyler plays his way into Footballer of the Year contention
Tyrone players celebrate with the Sam Maguire Cup after their side's victory over Mayo. Picture: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Three points from your goalkeeper on All-Ireland final day, the first a nerve-settler after seven minutes, and almost set up a goal for Darren McCurry by intercepting a Mayo pass intended for Kevin McLoughlin. Couple of crucial saves.
Pushed over the endline in the opening minutes but soon got to grips with the task. Moved onto Ryan O’Donoghue after a while and broke even. Played some very neat football indeed.
Ensured that Aidan O’Shea had no effect on the game whatsoever. Made a crucial block with the goal at O’Shea’s mercy.
Commanding and a big outlet for bringing the ball out of defence.
Scored a captain’s point in the first half, that trademark faded shot off the outside of the boot. Was on Tommy Conroy and blotted him out as well as taking part on a huge amount of open play.
Three different roles at the start of the game and never got to settle into a sweeping role as he might have liked. Touched the ball on the ground for the Mayo penalty.
Candidate for the man of the match. On Kevin McLoughlin, who was eventually subbed off.
Caught a fantastic mark towards the end and made no mistake, as well as a critical steal here and there.
Loves a bit of graft, does the Pomeroy man. Hoofed over a booming point in the first half. Marking Michael Plunkett who was removed at half-time. 8
Picked some day to turn in the biggest performance of his career. Simply was in Matthew Ruane’s face all day and never gave him a chance to breathe. Was replaced towards the end.
Sensational in the second half.
If Tyrone’s Kryptonite was supposed to be their midfield, he turned this on its’ head with a series of breath taking catches, and busted himself to help out team mates.
Marking Paddy Durcan, he held him to a single point and whenever he fancied he took a charge forward. Almost played Darragh Canavan in for a late goal. In Player of the Year discussion.
On Diarmuid O’Connor and then Aidan O’Shea for a brief spell, O’Neill’s role was all about crowding out space and blocking up that central channel. Replaced by Canavan on 53 minutes.
Two first half points showed he was in the mood after having a quiet All-Ireland final in 2018. Mayo sent on Enda Hession to him for the second half but it never cut down Sludden’s workrate.
Might have had a goal in the first half when his shot was saved by Rob Hennelly’s studs.
Was a constant outlet for balls and not beaten to anything by Padraig O’Hora. Was in the right place to palm a goal home.
A point in the first half but this wasn’t the kind of game he is normally associated with as it came in fits and starts before being taken off for McShane on 44 minutes.
Didn’t score, in fact he was guilty of three wides throughout. But he is a big game player in that he can hang in there and produce something. When it mattered, his handpass to McCurry for the second goal was heaven-sent.
– On the pitch for two minutes when a mazy Tyrone move ended with a brilliant diagonal ball by Conor Meyler that McShane flicked to the net. What more can you say?
– Won a couple of balls around the middle and was back assisting in a turnover. Took a neat point and might have had a goal that was well saved.
– Did a bit of housekeeping duties around the middle when introduced but really the heart was gone out of the Mayo middle sector by the closing stages.
– Not on long enough to be rated.
– Not on long enough to be rated.
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