With the exception of Rory Beggan picking the ball out of his net twice, there wasn’t a lot for the shot-stoppers to do this weekend. Durcan, however, was accurate with his kick outs and most of his side’s attacks originated from the Four Masters man’s boot.
2. Colin Walshe – Monaghan
Presseye / Russell Pritchard/INPHO
Presseye / Russell Pritchard/INPHO / Russell Pritchard/INPHO
The All-Star was immense for the Farney in the first 25 minutes as Malachy O’Rourke’s plans to suffocate Dublin’s forwards appeared to be working.
3. Rory O’Carroll – Dublin
Kept an All-star winning full-forward relatively quiet for most of the afternoon and marshalled those around him with authority.
4. Frank McGlynn – Donegal
Was consistent throughout the win over Armagh and not afraid to go forward if called upon. The Glenfin man also made a vital catch towards the end to help seal his side’s semi-final spot.
Provided the opening for Bernard Brogan’s goal in attack and defended as if Monaghan were within a kick of the game right up to the end.
6. Jonny Cooper – Dublin
Along with McCarthy, the Monaghan defence just couldn’t handle the direct running of Cooper and his ability to keep hold of the ball at speed contributed to how comfortably Dublin could maintain and stretch their lead.
7. Aaron Kernan – Armagh
Kernan was one of the stand-outs in Armagh’s losing performance and despite how well his opposite number played, the left-half back slot has to go to the Orchard’s wandering number seven.
8. Neil Gallagher – Donegal
The Glenswilly midfielder consistently provided an outlet for possession for his team and linked up very well with the forwards, especially when Donegal trailed late on.
9. Odhrán MacNiallais – Donegal
It looked in the early stages of this game that the Ulster champions were in real danger of being dumped out on the championship but MacNiallais’ maximum completely changed the course of the first half and, ultimately, the game.
10. Paul Flynn – Dublin
Flynn’s performance must have put him in the running for the man of the match award on Saturday. While his return was only two points on the scoreboard, his distribution and work-rate was second to none.
As always with these things we have to mess around slightly with positions to get the best players in but Kernan’s two late missed frees shouldn’t take away from what was a solid performance in a losing effort.
12. Diarmuid Connolly – Dublin
His opening goal released any pressure that was building for Dublin having scored just three points in the opening 25 minutes. A 1-2 return was second only to Bernard Brogan for Dublin on the day.
13. Bernard Brogan – Dublin
He’s ageing – aren’t we all – but this was one of those performances that reminded all those in attendance just how good the former player of the year could be, winning possession at will and drawing crucial fouls.
Speaking of drawing fouls, it was Murphy’s return to the full-forward line that proved the difference for Donegal against Armagh. Not only did he cause the full-back line nightmares but his accuracy from dead balls proved crucial.
15. Paddy McBrearty – Donegal
McBrearty Was in real danger of being substituted in the first half thanks to Andy Mallon’s defensive efforts but credit to the Kilcar forward, he pointed the game winning score in a vastly improved second half.
Disagree, of course you do, let us know who you’d have picked in the comments below.
Here’s our GAA football team of the weekend
1. Paul Durcan – Donegal
With the exception of Rory Beggan picking the ball out of his net twice, there wasn’t a lot for the shot-stoppers to do this weekend. Durcan, however, was accurate with his kick outs and most of his side’s attacks originated from the Four Masters man’s boot.
2. Colin Walshe – Monaghan
The All-Star was immense for the Farney in the first 25 minutes as Malachy O’Rourke’s plans to suffocate Dublin’s forwards appeared to be working.
3. Rory O’Carroll – Dublin
Kept an All-star winning full-forward relatively quiet for most of the afternoon and marshalled those around him with authority.
4. Frank McGlynn – Donegal
Was consistent throughout the win over Armagh and not afraid to go forward if called upon. The Glenfin man also made a vital catch towards the end to help seal his side’s semi-final spot.
5. James McCarthy – Dublin
Provided the opening for Bernard Brogan’s goal in attack and defended as if Monaghan were within a kick of the game right up to the end.
6. Jonny Cooper – Dublin
Along with McCarthy, the Monaghan defence just couldn’t handle the direct running of Cooper and his ability to keep hold of the ball at speed contributed to how comfortably Dublin could maintain and stretch their lead.
7. Aaron Kernan – Armagh
Kernan was one of the stand-outs in Armagh’s losing performance and despite how well his opposite number played, the left-half back slot has to go to the Orchard’s wandering number seven.
8. Neil Gallagher – Donegal
The Glenswilly midfielder consistently provided an outlet for possession for his team and linked up very well with the forwards, especially when Donegal trailed late on.
9. Odhrán MacNiallais – Donegal
It looked in the early stages of this game that the Ulster champions were in real danger of being dumped out on the championship but MacNiallais’ maximum completely changed the course of the first half and, ultimately, the game.
10. Paul Flynn – Dublin
Flynn’s performance must have put him in the running for the man of the match award on Saturday. While his return was only two points on the scoreboard, his distribution and work-rate was second to none.
11. Tony Kernan – Armagh
As always with these things we have to mess around slightly with positions to get the best players in but Kernan’s two late missed frees shouldn’t take away from what was a solid performance in a losing effort.
12. Diarmuid Connolly – Dublin
His opening goal released any pressure that was building for Dublin having scored just three points in the opening 25 minutes. A 1-2 return was second only to Bernard Brogan for Dublin on the day.
13. Bernard Brogan – Dublin
He’s ageing – aren’t we all – but this was one of those performances that reminded all those in attendance just how good the former player of the year could be, winning possession at will and drawing crucial fouls.
14. Michael Murphy – Donegal
Speaking of drawing fouls, it was Murphy’s return to the full-forward line that proved the difference for Donegal against Armagh. Not only did he cause the full-back line nightmares but his accuracy from dead balls proved crucial.
15. Paddy McBrearty – Donegal
McBrearty Was in real danger of being substituted in the first half thanks to Andy Mallon’s defensive efforts but credit to the Kilcar forward, he pointed the game winning score in a vastly improved second half.
Disagree, of course you do, let us know who you’d have picked in the comments below.
POLL: Dublin are strong favourites but who do you think will win Sam in 2014?
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GAA Team of the Week Armagh Donegal Dublin Monaghan