Top ten footballers in 2007

With the National League over and the provincial championships at the final stages, all eyes are now on the All-Ireland Championship. Former Cavan goalkeeper, Paul O'Dowd selects some football players who have made an impact so far in the championship.

The Senior Football Championship truly starts when the back door draw swings into action. Six round one qualifiers will be played on 7 July, and three provincial finals will be played throughout the month, including Monaghan's first provincial final in 19 years. What players have shone above the rest this year? Here are 10 to watch in the coming games.

Paul O'Dowd hosts Ireland's only goalkeeping clinic on 14 July at St Oliver Plunkett's on the Navan road.
www.goalkeeping.ie

Name: Thomas Freeman
County: Monaghan

Like his brother Damien (Captain), Thomas has been instrumental in Monaghan's promotion to division one of the national league. The Farney men were the only county to win all their games in the group stages.

Against Down, 30-year-old Freeman had a relatively quiet game. With 10 minutes to go and his team losing by a point, the Magheracloone man burst into life and scored twice to ensure a slender victory.

In the Ulster semi-final against Derry, Freeman showed for every ball and slotted seven points (including two free-kicks).
Tyrone will surely be wary of this veteran marksman in the Ulster Final.

Name: Michael Cussen
County: Cork 

When Kerry moved Kieran Donaghy from midfield to full forward last year they rolled back the years and implemented old style kick and catch Gaelic Football. So successful was the move that Kerry won Sam and Donaghy was voted footballer of the year.

Since then, every county has looked for a Donaghy to man the square. Cork have been most successful with their find, Michael Cussen. Like Donaghy he is a 6ft 5in basketball star.

In the Munster final he out Donaghy-ed Donaghy and his heroic leap, catch and turn before scoring was a highlight of a pulsating encounter.

Name: Dara O'Sé
County: Kerry  

After winning his fourth All-Ireland medal last year there were fears that the Gaeltacht man would, like Seamus Moynihan, retire. He stayed, and is as hungry as ever. The fact that his brothers Mark and Thomas also play for Kerry was a massive factor in his decision.

A brilliant fielder of the ball, he has a majestic stride and his scoring on the run belies his massive frame.

Now flanked by 6ft 8in basketball star Michael Quirke, smart money is on O'Shea to collect a fifth Celtic cross this year.  Wih four All-Ireland titles to date, he may even catch up on his uncle Paudie's tally of eight titles.

Name: Darren Fay
County: Meath

Fay came out of retirement this year to help out manager Colm Coyle, his All-Ireland winning teammate. Long regarded as Ireland's best full back, Fay manned the square  with authority as Meath won division two this year and gained promotion to premier status.

Against Dublin over two games he was akin to a Dutch kid with his finger in the dyke, holding back the blue forwards. Teams regularly try to pull him out the field but he is astute enough to stay put and reads the game brilliantly. Although over 30, Fay is still an unparelled stopper and marker.

Name: Mark Vaughan
County: Dublin

Vaughan has hovered in and out of the Dublin forward line the last few years. In the replay against Meath, however, he nailed down his spot with an eight-point tally. Four  points came from frees while he spectacularly kicked another point from a tight-angled sideline ball.

On song, Vaughan has the hill swinging in chorus. However, he is the classic confidence player and if things start to go amiss on the field he is often hauled ashore.

As an abrasive player with eye catching bleached blond hair he revels in drawing the ire of opposition supporters.

Name: Dermot McCabe
County: Cavan

Another member of the over 30s club. Some Breiffni supporters felt last year that this former All-Star had reached the end of his footballing days. Injury and a prolonged fitness battle hampered the Gowna man's search for form.

He has one of the most powerful kicks in the game and can hammer over points from 60 yards with ease.

Under new manager, Donal Keoghan, the red-haired midfielder has blossomed back to life. Cavan went unbeaten  in division two and gained promotion. In the two championship encounters his high fielding drew gasps from the crowd while his distribution was superb.

Name: Brian Kavanagh
County: Longford

Kavanagh's accuracy from frees and play spearheaded Longford's amazing comeback against Westmeath in the Leinster Championship. Losing by eight points, Longford slowly chipped away at Westmeath's lead thanks to Kavanagh's strikes from play and dead ball accuracy.

It's hard to be a good player on an average team as you are always singled out for extra attention. Mattie Forde of Wexford also suffers from the affliction of his own talent.

Twice player of the month this year, Kavanagh is a major contender to pick up an All-Star award if his present form continues.

Name: Declan Maxwell
County: Leitrim

Leitrim rarely make the headlines but the Drumreilly sharp-shooter has been consistently brilliant throughout the league and championship. Equally adept at full forward and center forward, the rangy striker can win hard ball and convert his own scores.

Maxwell, like any forward who does not depend on the easy ball into space, is a huge asset. Maxwell's fielding ability and scoring prowess would earn him a place on any county team in the country.                 

He  caused untold problems to an improving London team and greatly troubled the Galway defense in the Connaught semi-final.

Name: Stephen Bray
County: Meath

Bray announced himself as a late substitute against Dublin in the draw game when he scored the leveling point from a sidline kick. As he took the field, commentator Colm O'Rourke heralded him as Meath's best forward.

Bray continued his form with four uber-accurate frees in the replay. He wasn't phased by the close attention from the Dublin rearguard and had the patience to wait for his chances.

Shot selection often differentiates between good and top class forwards, and Bray's coolness on the ball shows maturity beyond his years.One to watch in the qualifiers.

Name: Sean Cavanagh
County: Tyrone

Cavanagh has the build, speed and coordination to play any sport. Three All-Stars in a row marked him out as a phenomenal talent. When Aussie Rules chiefs sought his signature he listened to Mickey Harte's advice and decided to stay home and become a legend in GAA rather than an average player down under. His acceleration from a standing position can leave any marker in his wake. He makes intelligent blindside runs and often gets on the end of moves to slide home a goal.

Even in a star studded team like Tyrone his talent shines like a beacon.