This is the GAA JOE Team of the weekend.
1 Gearoid Loughnane (Loughrea)
Made a few sharp saves which, coupled with his pinpoint puck-outs, capped off a fine performance in the Galway SHC semi-final.
2 Cathal Bennett (Portarlington)
Fast becoming one of the stickiest corner backs in the club game. Was tasked with the difficult task of picking up Palatine’s in-form Conor Crowley in their Leinster SFC clash, and Bennett didn’t give him an inch prior to Crowley’s first half injury.
3 Darren O’Doherty (Newcastlewest)
The full back showed composure and class to score an equalising point deep in injury-time, which eventually sent the Limerick SFC final to extra-time. From there, Newcastlewest went onto win the game.
4 Ciaran Ó Ferraigh (Ratoath)
The former Gaoth Dobhair man defended well and was an ever-willing attacker for Ratoath in their narrow win over Rhode.
5 Conor Coughlan (The Downs)
The Downs had way too much for St Mary’s Ardee and Coughlan was one of their best performers, hitting 0-3 from wing back.
6 Eamon Wallace (Ratoath)
The former sprinter used his speed to great effect against Rhode, attacking from deep to score two points in a low-scoring game. His black card was a black mark on an otherwise impressive performance, but he did get away with it as Ratoath held on to win.
7 Cillian O’Shea (Kilmacud Crokes)
Put his head on the block to win a few clutch 50:50 balls that turned the tide against Naas.
8 Shane McGuinness (Ballybay)
McGuinness’ link-up play was simply sensational against Crossmaglen, and he had a hand in at least three goal chances. Also slotted a penalty and two fine points from play.
9 Dessie Ward (Ballybay)
What a player. The man was on a different level against Crossmaglen on Saturday evening and, having won man-of-the-match in the county final, he’s playing the football of his life at the minute.
10 Patrick Fitzgerald (Ballygunner)
18-year-old Fitzgerald endured a tough afternoon in the Waterford SFC final against Mount Sion but he was like a new man eight weeks on. Hit 1-4 and Kilruane just couldn’t manage him.
11 Rioghan Murphy (Portarlington)
The nineteen-year-old dazzled with 2-2 against Palatine and left his manager waxing lyrical.
“He’s a star in the making,” said Martin Murphy afterwards. No doubt about that.
Unbelievably, for a nineteen year old, Murphy already has three Laois SFC medals.
12 Dara O Sé (An Ghaeltacht)
The man was simply unplayable in the Kerry intermediate club semi-final, scoring 0-13 of his team’s 0-14 total in their win over Killarney Legion.
13 Darragh Kirwan (Naas)
Naas went down but Kirwan showed once again that he’s one of the most talented forwards around, notching four brilliant scores from play.
14 Mike McMahon (Newcastle West)
McMahon is 36, he has been referred to as the Benjamin Button of Limerick football and he hit 1-3 (0-1m) for Newcastle West as they edged Adare in the Limerick senior football final.
15 Shane Meehan (Banner Ennis)
The Clare speedster won on fire in the Munster junior hurling championship, hitting 2-11 of his team’s 2-15 against Kilgarvan. 2-5 of his tally came from open play and some of his scores were quite frankly ridiculous.
