Football

Monaghan and Down lead the way in Ulster Team of the Week

Conor McCarthy was superb in Monaghan's victory over Mayo in Clones on Sunday. Picture by Philip Walsh
Conor McCarthy was superb in Monaghan's victory over Mayo in Clones on Sunday. Picture by Philip Walsh Conor McCarthy was superb in Monaghan's victory over Mayo in Clones on Sunday. Picture by Philip Walsh

Rory Beggan (Monaghan)

LOOKED a shoo-in to be Shaun Patton until calamity struck the Donegal ’keeper in the second half against Dublin after a flawless first half. Beggan was as solid as ever in victory over Mayo - remains the standard-bearer in Ulster.

Jonny Cassidy (Fermanagh)

QUICK and aggressive, Cassidy edged his battle with Oisin Pierson before also doing well on Conor Madden and Luke Fortune. Could play almost anywhere.

Aidan Forker (Armagh)

THE Orchard’s go-to man at the back now, Forker shackled Westmeath danger man John Heslin well, keeping him to a single point from play.

Benny McArdle (Down)

WAS involved in the defensive mix-up that saw Liam Connerton goal for Longford, but otherwise kept Michael Quinn quiet in a disciplined display. His experience at the back is invaluable for Down.

Peter Healy (Antrim)

RARELY wasted a ball coming out of defence in the draw with Carlow. Always seems to have time on the ball and crucial to the Saffron cause.

Ryan Wylie (Monaghan)

TYPICALLY a sticky man-marker, Wylie has moved into the centre-back position with ease, his superb positional sense helping Monaghan keep the door shut against Mayo.

Oisin Kiernan (Cavan)

FERMANAGH never got to grips with Kiernan’s raids from deep, popping up from the wing with two superb scores in either half before another attempt at the posts fell perfectly for Padraig Faulkner to punch home Cavan’s first goal.

Hugh McFadden (Donegal)

A DOMINANT presence against the Dubs, McFadden also bounded forward to calmly bury Donegal’s early goal and landed another score late on.

Niall Grimley (Armagh)

TOOK four marks, three off Westmeath kick-outs, as he controlled the middle sector in the first half. Also provided the assist for Rory Grugan’s goal and worked hard for the cause in a tough second period for Armagh.

Liam Kerr (Down)

GLIDES across the ground with ease, the pace of the Burren man caused Longford trouble all night. Landed two from play as well in a superb display.

Michael Murphy (Donegal)

WAS just being announced as man of the match on the Croke Park tannoy as he walked to the line having been shown a second yellow for being pulled to the ground by John Small. Lucky to escape first half red for a stray elbow, but a dominant figure thereafter.

Gearoid McKiernan (Cavan)

DRAGGED Cavan back into the game after Fermanagh’s early goal, landing scores off both feet. Looked a class apart in the heat of the Brewster battle, and showed a calm head to slot over Cavan’s last score.

Conor McCarthy (Monaghan)

A FRUSTRATED and frustrating figures at times in recent years, McCarthy is flourishing under Seamus McEnaney. Scored a superb goal after a brilliant piece of opportunism and landed three more from play in a virtuoso display against Mayo.

Shane McGuigan (Derry)

DERRY’S danger man continued his impressive form with another 1-7 in Sunday’s crucial Division Three win over Louth.

Donal O’Hare (Down)

WAS a toss up with Monaghan’s Conor McManus and Antrim’s Conor Murray. O’Hare just gets the nod for his tireless work in helping Down hold possession when the game was right in the mix at the end. Did the ugly stuff brilliantly.