Galway’s have had their goalkeeping problems in recent times but O’Donoghue looked solid and dependable on Saturday while also keeping a clean sheet.
Galway goalkeeper Brian O'Donoghue. James Crombie / INPHO
James Crombie / INPHO / INPHO
2. Dessie Mone (Monaghan)
Nominally selected at corner-back, Mone was everywhere in Clones and central to a terrific Monaghan success.
Monaghan's Dessie Mone in action against Donegal's Martin McElhinney Presseye / Andrew Paton/INPHO
Presseye / Andrew Paton/INPHO / Andrew Paton/INPHO
3. Vinny Corey (Monaghan)
Another old-stager in the Monaghan rearguard, Corey was a defensive warrior in helping to shut down the Donegal forward line.
Monaghan's Vinny Corey in action against Donegal's Michael Murphy yesterday Presseye / Andrew Paton/INPHO
Presseye / Andrew Paton/INPHO / Andrew Paton/INPHO
4. Shane Enright (Kerry)
For the second successive game Enright blotted out the threat of Cork’s Brian Hurley with a superb defensive performance.
Kerry's Shane Enright in action against Cork's Brian Hurley. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
5. Brian O’Driscoll (Cork)
A bright spot on a disappointing night for Cork football, O’Driscoll is still U21 this year but is quickly becoming a powerful senior half-back.
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Brian O'Driscoll collides with Killian Young Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
6. Donal Vaughan (Mayo)
Recalled to the starting side after being omitted against Galway, Vaughan was a launchpad for some of Mayo’s best play and showed tremendous athleticism.
Donal Vaughan in action for Mayo yesterday Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO
Lorraine O'Sullivan / INPHO / INPHO
7. Frank McGlynn (Donegal)
Took the fight to Monaghan in the second-half of yesterday’s Ulster final and was key to a Donegal resurgence that almost yielded a draw.
Kerry’s midfield control was a principal reason as to why they corrected the errors of the drawn game and Moran was at the core of that with a towering display.
Tyrone’s second-half dominance in Thurles on Saturday was underpinned by their ability to gain a foothold around the middle. Donnelly was a vital component of a formidable second-half showing from the Red Hands.
Tyrone's Mattie Donnelly Ken Sutton / INPHO
Ken Sutton / INPHO / INPHO
10. Gary Sice (Galway)
Getting Sice back involved was a shrewd move by manager Kevin Walsh. He illustrated his worth to the Galway cause on Saturday with a fine display of freetaking as they saw off Derry.
One of the most versatile players in the game, Harte was magnificent on Saturday in Semple Stadium. He roamed the pitch and got involved wherever he went.
The Ballintubber man is starting to stepping out of his older brother Cillian’s shadow. Full of hard running throughout, Diarmuid’s influence could not be quelled by Sligo and he also chipped in with four points.
Diarmuid O'Connor in action against Brendan Egan Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
13. Paul Geaney (Kerry)
The Dingle man fully justified his recall to the Kerry starting side on Saturday night. He fired 1-3, fine scoring on a tough night for scoring forwards, and his second-half goal was the game changing moment.
Paul Geaney fires to the net for Kerry in the Munster final replay Cathal Noonan / INPHO
Cathal Noonan / INPHO / INPHO
14. Aidan O’Shea (Mayo)
The star of Dr Hyde Park yesterday, O’Shea wreaked havoc on the Sligo back line. 3-4 from play told the tale of his scoring input but he was involved in all of Mayo’s other goals in a devastating display.
Aidan O'Shea celebrates winning five Connacht titles in a row Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
15. Conor McManus (Monaghan)
Coming up against the claustrophobic Donegal defence and holding the mantle of captaincy, meant yesterday was a big challenge for Conor McManus. He rose to in style, reaffirming his status as Monaghan’s go-to man in attack and bagging some priceless points.
Plenty players were unlucky to miss out on our team like Karl O’Connell (Monaghan), Gary O’Donnell (Galway), Tom Parsons (Mayo), Anthony Maher (Kerry), Cillian O’Connor (Mayo) and Darren McCurry (Tyrone).
What would you have changed? Let us know in the comments section below.
Mayo, Kerry and Monaghan lead the way in The42's Gaelic football team of the weekend
1. Brian O’Donoghue (Galway)
Galway’s have had their goalkeeping problems in recent times but O’Donoghue looked solid and dependable on Saturday while also keeping a clean sheet.
2. Dessie Mone (Monaghan)
Nominally selected at corner-back, Mone was everywhere in Clones and central to a terrific Monaghan success.
3. Vinny Corey (Monaghan)
Another old-stager in the Monaghan rearguard, Corey was a defensive warrior in helping to shut down the Donegal forward line.
4. Shane Enright (Kerry)
For the second successive game Enright blotted out the threat of Cork’s Brian Hurley with a superb defensive performance.
5. Brian O’Driscoll (Cork)
A bright spot on a disappointing night for Cork football, O’Driscoll is still U21 this year but is quickly becoming a powerful senior half-back.
6. Donal Vaughan (Mayo)
Recalled to the starting side after being omitted against Galway, Vaughan was a launchpad for some of Mayo’s best play and showed tremendous athleticism.
7. Frank McGlynn (Donegal)
Took the fight to Monaghan in the second-half of yesterday’s Ulster final and was key to a Donegal resurgence that almost yielded a draw.
8. David Moran (Kerry)
Kerry’s midfield control was a principal reason as to why they corrected the errors of the drawn game and Moran was at the core of that with a towering display.
9. Mattie Donnelly (Tyrone)
Tyrone’s second-half dominance in Thurles on Saturday was underpinned by their ability to gain a foothold around the middle. Donnelly was a vital component of a formidable second-half showing from the Red Hands.
10. Gary Sice (Galway)
Getting Sice back involved was a shrewd move by manager Kevin Walsh. He illustrated his worth to the Galway cause on Saturday with a fine display of freetaking as they saw off Derry.
11. Peter Harte (Tyrone)
One of the most versatile players in the game, Harte was magnificent on Saturday in Semple Stadium. He roamed the pitch and got involved wherever he went.
12. Diarmuid O’Connor (Mayo)
The Ballintubber man is starting to stepping out of his older brother Cillian’s shadow. Full of hard running throughout, Diarmuid’s influence could not be quelled by Sligo and he also chipped in with four points.
13. Paul Geaney (Kerry)
The Dingle man fully justified his recall to the Kerry starting side on Saturday night. He fired 1-3, fine scoring on a tough night for scoring forwards, and his second-half goal was the game changing moment.
14. Aidan O’Shea (Mayo)
The star of Dr Hyde Park yesterday, O’Shea wreaked havoc on the Sligo back line. 3-4 from play told the tale of his scoring input but he was involved in all of Mayo’s other goals in a devastating display.
15. Conor McManus (Monaghan)
Coming up against the claustrophobic Donegal defence and holding the mantle of captaincy, meant yesterday was a big challenge for Conor McManus. He rose to in style, reaffirming his status as Monaghan’s go-to man in attack and bagging some priceless points.
Plenty players were unlucky to miss out on our team like Karl O’Connell (Monaghan), Gary O’Donnell (Galway), Tom Parsons (Mayo), Anthony Maher (Kerry), Cillian O’Connor (Mayo) and Darren McCurry (Tyrone).
What would you have changed? Let us know in the comments section below.
Alan Dillon and Andy Moran created a slice of history in their Mayo careers yesterday
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GAA Summer Stars Donegal Kerry Mayo Monaghan