Shane Ryan: All his 23 kick-outs found team-mates, with some well-directed to O’Connor. Caught a hanging Paul Mannion effort and made a superb double save at the end. 8
Jason Foley: Did a much better marking job on Dean Rock this time, restricting him to two points from play and limited involvement overall. 7.5
Tadhg Morley: Paul Mannion started well on him again but Morley couldn’t put a lid on him on Saturday night. Made one great run that might have brought a goal but for a cynical foul. 7
Tom O’Sullivan: Couldn’t contain Con O’Callaghan at the second attempt and was fortunate to escape a penalty call for clear holding. Kicked a poor wide. 5.5
Paul Murphy: In the sweeper role but unable to limit Dublin’s link play due to their running game. Great decoy support run for Paul Geaney’s third point. Went off injured on the hour. 6
Gavin Crowley: Mostly trying to look after Ciaran Kilkenny but also chasing the pacy Scully on occasions and up against Brian Fenton in the closing stages. 6.5
Brian O Beaglaoich: Able to get forward due to Brian Howard dropping deeper and did so fairly effectively, assisting several scores, but also doing his defensive work. Booked in first half injury time, subbed after 50 minutes. 7
David Moran: Mixed bag for the big man – made run after run after run and protected his defence but also kicked three wides. 7
Jack Barry: Unspectacular but effective. Limited Fenton’s involvement once more but also got involved going forward himself. 7
Diarmuid O’Connor: A surprise starter but kept McCaffrey mostly back in defence and also provided a target for kick-outs. Dropped more into defence but kicked a wide. Replaced by Walsh. 6.5
Sean O’Shea: As so many have, found it hard to escape the attentions of John Small but kept at it, showed great strength, and kicked two second half points from play. 7
Stephen O’Brien: Up against Murchan and despite making good runs and taking up good positions he failed to score – notably with the goal chance he created, but should have passed to Paul Geaney. Booked late on. 7
David Clifford: The boy wonder got the better of Fitzsimons, with four scores from play. Also covered plenty of ground, including tracking Jonny Cooper. 7.5
Paul Geaney: Another huge effort, bringing him four points from play and also repeatedly bringing the ball to colleagues. Might have had a goal from his first point. 8
Adrian Spillane: Worked around the middle third again but took a sweet score midway through first half. Replaced 15 minutes into second period. 6.5
Substitutes:
Gavin White: Came on for O Beaglaoich and tracked Diarmuid Connolly fairly well. Got a good defensive hand in. 6.5
Jack Sherwood: Took over from Adrian Spillane but couldn’t make much of an impact. 6
Tommy Walsh: The big target man came on for O’Connor and won some ball but never really got a sight of the posts or the goal. 6.5
Killian Spillane: On for the injured Murphy on the hour but never looked like repeating his influence of the drawn game. 5.5
James O’Donoghue: Replaced Barry in the 65th minute but had to track Small back into defence. 5.5
Dara Moynihan: Not on long enough to be rated.
