Already this Championship year we've had massive wins for Fermanagh, Carlow, Longford and Waterford. Not bad going for a game 'in decline.'
Performances at this time of the year are sometimes forgotten. Every year there is criticism of the weight placed on performances in the All Ireland semi-final/final. Too often it seems like one good performance in one of those games is enough to secure an All-Star, a move that is contrary to the point of the award. Thus Balls.ie introduced the Rolling All-Stars, which considers the best performers week-by-week and compares them to the existing holder.
After a weekend that saw 11 games of football, here is the fourth round of the rolling All-Stars.
1.Paddy Colum (stays)
It was never going to be easy against Dublin in Croke Park, but once again Collum demonstrated that he is a fine goalkeeper and coped admirably. Graham Brody very unlucky to miss out.
Stephen Cluxton rightly always gets mentioned as a top keeper, Rory Beggan a lot recently too, but Paddy Collum has been great between the sticks for Longford for a long time. His performance against Dublin today was no surprise.
— Shane Stapleton (@ShaneSaint) June 10, 2018
2. Eoghan Ban Gallagher (stays)
Donegal are into an Ulster final after another strong showing against Down. They recovered after losing Neil McGee to a red card. That loss meant Gallagher's defensive efforts were under pressure but he demonstrated he is more than just an attacking corner-back.
3. Sean Andy O Ceallaigh (stays)
Safe for another week at least, but faces a big test this week with the free-flowing Roscommon up next for Galway.
4. Che Cullen (stays)
Another man who holds down his spot. Fermanagh know now they will face Donegal in the Ulster final.
5. Diarmuid Masterson (stays)
It seems bizarre that Longford could be beaten by 19 points yet have two stand-out performers, but Diarmuid Masterson was superb for Denis Connerton's side yet again on Sunday.
6.Colm Begley (stays)
Took his score well and got on plenty of ball as Laois progressed to their first Leinster final since 2007.
7. Sean Kelly (stays)
Ciaran Brady had a fine game for Cavan this weekend but Kelly has credit in the bank after two impressive performances against Mayo and Sligo.
8. Ciaran Duggan (out) - Brian Fenton (in)
Really difficult contest here. Duggan has done nothing wrong, but in terms of sheer numbers only played one game thus far while Brian Fenton has performed excellently in two. 0-4 from the Dublin midfielder this weekend who has now become Jim Gavin's best player.
9. Sean Murphy (stays)
Carlow may have lost but it wasn't for lack of effort from Murphy who covered a trojan amount of ground, building on fine showings against Louth and Kildare.
10. Michael Murphy (stays)
His best performance of the year yesterday. Murphy's current role of rooming wherever he seems to deem fit is working for Donegal who no longer need him at the edge of the square thanks to Patrick McBreaty and Jamie Brennan's exploits.
11. Paul Kingston (out) – JJ Hutchinson (in)
Between 2.00pm and 3.30pm last Sunday in Croke Park was no place for a forward like Kingston who got very little space and no chance to express himself. JJ Hutchinson kicked a fine score against Tipperary and helped Waterford to their first Championship win in seven years with 1-2 from play against Wexford.
Super goal by JJ Hutchinson today pic.twitter.com/cPGelzmFZP
— Damien Tiernan (@damienwlr) June 9, 2018
12. Patrick McBrearty (stays)
Another 0-6 against Down. An absolute wand of a left foot.
13. Damien Comer (stays)
Will lead the Tribesman out in Dr. Hyde Park this Sunday for the Connacht Final.
14. Paul Broderick (out) – Jamie Brennan (in)
Broderick is very unfortunate to miss out here as he has to work very hard within Carlow's system. They have only scored 10 scores from play over the course of 140 Championship minutes. Jamie Brennan was a revelation for Declan Bonner's men on Sunday, kicking 1-3 in a man of the match performance.
Jamie Brennan finishes a slick Donegal move to the net. pic.twitter.com/btGWBD29U6
— The GAA (@officialgaa) June 10, 2018
15. Luke Connolly (stays)
Holds onto his spot this week.
