1. Raymond Galligan (Cavan)
THE 2017 Irish News Ulster Allstar goalkeeper picked up in his trademark form with a big display against Galway, including a superb first-half free and a brilliant save with his body.
2. Kieran Duffy (Monaghan)
PERHAPS the most unsung of Malachy O’Rourke’s defensive generals, Duffy was again entrusted with a big man-marking job and again produced the goods against the Dubs.
3. Ryan McAleenan (Down)
ANTICIPATED and obstructed a lot of Laois attacks during the first half on Saturday and did a good job on Colm Murphy until the game went away from Down.
4. Sean Francis Quinn (Derry)
ONE of three National League debutants in the Oak Leafers’ defence, the young Swatragh man did an excellent job on Colum Duffin and put himself about physically all afternoon.
5. Ultan Kelm (Fermanagh)
THE pacy wing-back caught the eye during the McKenna Cup with his no-nonsense brand and carried that into his League debut, turning in a dogged display against Cork.
6. Marty Johnston (Antrim)
THE Creggan man made his return to the heart of the Antrim side and was superb until he was surprisingly replaced late on. His turnover for his side’s goal was a superb tackle on Ciaran McFaul.
7. Fintan Kelly (Monaghan)
PLAYED in an unfamiliar midfield role, but nothing he’s been asked to do in recent seasons has been a problem. Put in a serious shift and rotated with Darren Hughes as the team’s sweeper as the Dubs came at them.
8. Darren Hughes (Monaghan)
HIS usual bustling, energetic self. Brilliant trademark tackle on John Small in the second half. Got on plenty of ball and directed their attacking operations from deep, most notably with a great ball for a David Garland score.
9. Jason McGee (Donegal)
MAKING a home for himself at midfield in the absence of Michael Murphy, the much-heralded talent kicked three points from play in the Tír Chonaill side’s win over Clare.
10. Jack Brady (Cavan)
WHILE the headlines went to Sean O’Shea for his wonderful sideline effort for Kerry, Brady notched a similar score from Cavan as they pushed Galway to the wire in Salthill.
11. Jack McCarron (Monaghan)
HAVING been the match-winner last year in Croke Park with that sumptuous lob, this was different and the same as McCarron played on the 40 and pulled the strings with some superb kick-passing.
12. Peter Harte (Tyrone)
ON a very disappointing day for the Red Hands, they caused no real defensive problems for Kerry until Harte moved to full-forward, but it was too little, too late.
13. Stefan Campbell (Armagh)
HIS reintroduction has gone exceptionally well so far. Campbell scored 1-1 for Armagh in their draw with Kildare and was unfortunate not to have another when he was blown for overcarrying in the act of netting.
14. Stephen O’Hanlon (Monaghan)
MARKED himself out inside 90 seconds by taking a brilliant overhead catch, soloing with the right and finishing beneath Evan Comerford with the left to turn the game upside down in Clones. Set up the second goal too.
15. Jamie Brennan (Donegal)
BRENNAN has been bearing the weight of carrying Donegal’s inside forward line quite neatly so far this season. Kicked another three from play on Sunday, two of them outstanding efforts.
