1. Niall Morgan (Tyrone)
IT wasn’t flawless but he still made a fine first half save from Cormac Costello and nailed a couple of pressure frees to continue his fine run of form.
2. Conor Boyle (Monaghan)
DOMINATED his duel with Niall McKiernan and was on hard to help with other defensive duties with a series of interceptions and blocks.
3. Brendan Donaghy (Armagh)
DONAGHY’S return to the Armagh team quickly reminded them what they’d been missing. Outstanding defensive display, shackling Sean Quigley and driving forward too.
4. Padraig Hampsey (Tyrone)
ANY day you break even against Paul Mannion is a good day. Hampsey picked up where he left off in last year’s final with another excellent man-marking job.
5. Colm Flanagan (Down)
THE pick of a well-organised Mourne rearguard as they edged out Carlow, Flanagan continued his excellent start to the season.
6. Rory Brennan (Tyrone)
DESIGNATED the task of picking up Ciaran Kilkenny when he came on early for Tiernan McCann, the Trillick man showed his durability with a sticky display.
7. Ben McDonnell (Tyrone)
THE Errigal Ciaran man has enjoyed a fine debut season and caught the eye again in Croke Park as he was at the heart of their sound defensive display, especially late on.
8. Brian Kennedy (Tyrone)
DETAILED to pick up Brian Fenton, the rookie midfielder did an excellent job of tracking the Footballer of the Year’s runs and stunting his influence on the game.
9. Jarlath Óg Burns (Armagh)
MADE a trio across the middle with Niall Grimley and Charlie Vernon, and Burns was impassable. Dominated on Fermanagh’s kickouts and was also a key attacking force, creating three first half scores.
10. Matthew Fitzpatrick (Antrim)
IN a comfortable win over Wicklow, Matt Fitzpatrick stood out a mile in the Antrim attacking, helping himself to 2-3.
11. Niall O’Donnell (Donegal)
DONEGAL looked in bother for a while in Pairc Úi Rinn but O’Donnell stepped up, kicking three second half scores and unselfishly feeding Jamie Brennan for the late clinching goal.
12. Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone)
CONTINUED to justify his repositioning in the Red Hand team with another fine display in attack, which included three points from play and an assist for Cathal McShane’s goal.
13. Shane McGuigan (Derry)
THE Slaughtneil men cut loose against Leitrim, hitting 2-5 for Derry as they maintained their 100 per cent record in Celtic Park.
14. Cathal McShane (Tyrone)
STOOD up to be counted in a big way. Was a huge physical presence against the Dubs and added the scoring threat that’s sometimes been lacking. If he continues in that form, he’ll be a serious operator this summer.
15. Conor McManus (Monaghan)
ALTHOUGH he was well-shackled for much of it by Padraig Faulkner, McManus kept coming and coming despite some physical treatment from Cavan, and hit two fine scores from play late on.
