Michael McMullan takes a look at the teams who started the race for Sam Maguire. He puts himself in the thoughts of those picking their fantasy football team at the outset of the All-Ireland campaign. The one stipulation is no more than two players per county.

1 Rory Beggan (Monaghan)

THE Scotstown man is the most well-rounded keeper. His two-point frees are so important that other teams have changed their focus on tackling around the arc. While he hasn’t scored from play, he has been very active on the kick-out press. A brilliant catch and kick led to Mícheál Bannigan’s vital goal against Derry.

2 Finnbarr Roarty (Donegal)

FINNBARR’S career is only really starting. He has the attributes to mark close to goal and the energy to track a playmaker. For such a young lad, he is very combative in the air too. He has added to his game by kicking off both sides and can kick important scores.

3 Cian Hernon (Galway)

HERNON has hit the net twice this season and can play anywhere from the full-back line. He has seen off Sean Fitzgerald and Seán Ó Maoilchiaráin to nail down a place at the centre of Galway’s defence. It also allows Sean Kelly to be deployed elsewhere.

4 Luke Fahy (Cork)

FAHY has been part of a very settled Cork defence and has been very consistent this season. His two-pointer against Donegal sums up the value he adds. Teams can’t afford to sit off Cork and he benefits from the extra attention Stephen Sherlock gets. He’ll be in many fantasy football teams as the season thickens up.

5 Ross McQuillan (Armagh)

MCQUILLAN has size, pace and power. In Armagh’s fluid method of play, he can slot in anywhere. He also plays with no shortage of fire in the belly and is a constant threat when he gets into that one-on-one duel around the arc. A scoring machine and opens so many channels for others.

6 Craig Lennon (Louth)

LOUTH have been an amazing success story and Craig Lennon is at the heart and soul of it all. Scoring defenders are gold when we sit down to pick a fantasy football team. He picked up an All-Star two years ago when Louth began their breakthrough.

7 Dessie Ward (Monaghan)

WE can picture it easily. The Ballybay man shuffling into a pocket of space, on the right wing. He kicks a right-footed spinner over the bar. Up goes the orange flag. He is also a break-ball magnet and is a cert here. With two players per county on this list, Stephen O’Hanlon loses out in attack.

8 Michael Langan (Donegal)

IN a world where marking jobs are pivotal, getting a handle on Langan is the key to limiting Donegal. He is such a brilliant long-range kicker and has the pass to be able to unlock a defence too. There is also his eye for goal that will keep defenders on their toes.

9 Dara McDonnell (Louth)

I CHEATED a bit here and when you see the half-back line, you can see why. McDonnell has played enough football in the middle third this year to be considered here. One of the young guns who few knew about this time last year but now he is acknowledged as an accomplished player with the footballing world at his feet. Jack Flynn narrowly misses out.

10 Ronan Wallace (Westmeath)

THERE has been no story this year like the one Mark McHugh has written in Westmeath. Winning Leinster without Luke Loughlin was an amazing feat. Much of that is down to their flamboyant style of play and how Ronan Wallace fits into it. He has played everywhere across the middle third.

11 Conor Turbitt (Armagh)

STRICTLY an inside forward, but ‘Turbo’ can’t be left out of the equation here. He can bag goals and always pops up in the right place at the right time. He has the pace to draw defenders and that’s so important to how Armagh play..

12 Ruairi Kinsella (Meath)

HE kicked nine two-pointers across Meath’s season before he got injured but that’s only part of the reason why he was such a big loss. He is an excellent playmakeras well. A complete footballer.

13 Chris Óg Jones (Cork)

THE Cork man has been one of the leading scorers from play in recent seasons. That’s the first thing anyone looks for in their fantasy team. John Cleary knows his value too. Cork were the first team to book a quarter-final spot and will play in Division One next season. Jones kicking 6-29 – all from play – has been key.

14 David Clifford (Kerry) – Captain

DO we need to write anything here? With the captain getting double points in fantasy football, Clifford is a cert there too. Away from his scoring prowess, look at how he unselfishly takes himself away from the scoring zone. A defender will always follow and it opens the door for others.

15 Rob Finnerty (Galway)

GALWAY fans will lament his injury in the All-Ireland final two years ago but he is back better than ever. He is an assassin, and now looks even more comfortable kicking off either foot. A very accurate free taker and his 2-37 in league and championship tells ots own story.