The next month will give us some indication where Sam Maguire hunkers down for the winter. Michael McMullan runs his eyes over Ulster’s leading lights in the championship to date.

1 Blaine Hughes – Armagh

EDGING out Rory Beggan takes some doing but Hughes has been excellent since finding himself a regular in the number one jersey again. He has kicked well and made some fantastic saves on the way to an Ulster medal.

2 Cormac Quinn – Tyrone

WHEN Tyrone were backed into a corner in Roscommon, he wasn’t found wanting. He was back on the line to repel an Enda Smith snapshot. Battled well with Oisin Conaty as Tyrone went toe-to-toe with Armagh. Kobe McDonald could be his next project.

3 Aaron McKay – Armagh

THE Dromintee man is like a new signing this year as he waves goodbye to the injuries that plagued him. Defended brilliantly in the final with some of his turnovers ending up in scores. Rock solid against Derry too.

4 Ryan O’Toole – Monaghan

WHILE he came onto the scene with that memorable winning goal against Tyrone a few years ago, O’Toole’s blocking is becoming a major factor in Monaghan’s defence. He got a hand-in against Derry, leading to a Monaghan two-pointer at the other end.

5 Finnbarr Roarty – Donegal

PLAYS way, way beyond his age. Paudie Clifford was the man who made Kerry tick and Roarty nullified him in Killarney. He has added to his game by kicking points off either foot. A complete defender.

6 Daniel Guinness – Down

IN a different set of circumstances, Guinness would be leading Down into a crack at Sam Maguire football. Their win over Donegal was one of the results of the summer and the Carryduff man was a key cog.

7 Dessie Ward – Monaghan

WHEN Derry were on the ropes in that epic semi-final, Ward gave them a good push to the floor. His trademark spinning points are typical Monaghan. His performance against Mayo shows why his injury in the Ulster final was critical.

8 Michael Langan – Donegal

HIS performance in Kerry was right out of the top drawer and he is backing up last year’s excellent season. There is nothing he can’t do. He can fetch ball but it’s the skill level he has on top of it all. That’s before you look at his shooting.

9 Jarly Óg Burns – Armagh

ONE of the players around the edges when they won Sam but he is now a nailed-on regular. He has everything. Pace, balance, he can evade tackles and is well capable of landing a score. In Armagh’s plan of making space for runners, Burns is another who can make hay.

10 Oisin Conaty – Armagh

THE most planned-for forward in the game after David Clifford. His Ulster final was awesome but it’s more than what he scores. Armagh’s tactic of isolating him on a wing is lethal. If Armagh are to win Sam, he’ll be the key.

11 Mattie Donnelly – Tyrone

FOR all the underage shoots in Tyrone, Donnelly keeps producing top quality performances. While it was a simple finish to sink Roscommon, it still needed nailed and he is their spiritual leader.

12 Stephen O’Hanlon – Monaghan

WHAT a miss he was against Mayo. He single-handedly dragged Monaghan back to within striking distance in the Ulster final. He had pace, balance and the two-pointer he kicked was the reason Armagh ended up needing extra-time.

13 Lachlan Murray – Derry

ONE of the country’s top scoring forwards from play and his directness is putting panic into defences. Derry’s problem is keeping him fit and on grass. He can kick off either foot to keep defences guessing.

14 Conor Turbitt – Armagh

‘TURBO’ by name and turbo by nature. His 3-23 in the championship odyssey so far played a seismic role in Armagh ending the Ulster famine. With Armagh not hunting two pointers, his eye for the net is vital.

15 Oisin Gallen – Donegal

DONEGAL fans will be glad to see him in action and firing as the season heads into another race for the biggest prize. His balance off either side makes him a nightmare to mark. An option for the left-footed frees’ conundrum.