1. Raymond Galligan (Cavan)
THE Breffnimen have found a greater balance between back and front this year but still Galligan has conceded just two goals, and kept another clean sheet on Saturday, most notably denying Connaire Harrison with a fine stop.
2. Benny McArdle (Down)
THE experienced Annaclone man was his usual solid self at the heart of Down’s defensive system, keeping things tight in front of his own goal.
3. Padraig Hampsey (Tyrone)
PICKED up where he left off in last year’s Ulster final with a composed and solid man-marking job on Michael Murphy, limiting his influence and keeping him scoreless from play.
4. Eoghan Bán Gallagher (Donegal)
CARRIED the fight for Donegal at stages, kicking a great first half point under pressure and then driving forward at blinding pace to set up Odhran Mac Niallais for their side’s goal.
5. Karl O’Connell (Monaghan)
DESPITE going down in Galway, Monaghan bossed much of the first half and O’Connell’s composure and use of possession, as well as some good defensive work, stood out.
6. Frank Burns (Tyrone)
A LATE introduction to the Red Hand team, he sat as one of the two sweepers in front of his full-back line, but more notably was one of the key counter-attacking cogs in dragging Tyrone into the game after the first quarter.
7. Anthony Doherty (Down)
THE Downpatrick man continued his steady season with a solid display against Conor Moynagh, and notched two scores from frees himself.
8. Kieran Hughes (Monaghan)
HIS first start after an extended break, it looked like he had never been away. Landed two superb trademark long-range scores off the outside of the left and netted Monaghan’s late goal.
9. Emmett Bradley (Derry)
THE Glen man has been one constant in an otherwise challenging year for Derry so far, and kept up his good form with a scoring display in Armagh, hitting 0-4.
10. Cian Mackey (Cavan)
CAME on after 25 minutes and steadied the ship. Cavan had struggled to penetrate Down’s defence before his arrival but his decision making made a massive difference.
11. Gearoid McKiernan (Cavan)
DOWN struggled, as so many do, to cope with the sheer power of McKiernan, who hit four points from play in a dominant performance.
12. Niall Sludden (Tyrone)
OUTSTANDING yet again, the Dromore man constantly carried at Donegal’s heart, winning the penalty and then scoring the first goal soon after in a man-of-the-match display.
13. Rory Grugan (Armagh)
CONTINUED his fine form for the Orchard, hitting seven points in their win over Derry, taking his tally for the league campaign to 1-21.
14. Andy Murnin (Armagh)
THE powerful full-forward proved a handful for the Oak Leafers, hitting 1-2 and forcing Derry into an early defensive reshuffle in a bid to cope.
15. Mark Lynch (Derry)
AS a stronger Derry side turned in an improved display, Lynch was unsurprisingly one of the key protagonists, hitting a couple of inspirational scores.
