The race for Sam is heating up and Shaun Casey takes a look at the players who have shone brightest so far

David Clifford (Kerry)

THE two-time Footballer of the Year is the frontrunner at the minute and is widely regarded as perhaps the best footballer in the country. He is the leading light for Kerry and if the Kingdom are to get their hands on Sam Maguire this year, they’ll need the Fossa clubman playing at the peak of his powers.

Michael Murphy (Donegal)

THE Glenswilly giant returned to inter-county football this season for one reason and one reason only and that was to get his hands on a second All-Ireland medal. He has been in phenomenal form for Jim McGuinness’ men and has already guided them to an Ulster title. Donegal are one of the frontrunners for Sam and Murphy’s presence is one of the main reasons for that.

Ethan Rafferty (Armagh)

RAFFERTY has been exceptional since returning to the number one jersey and there’s very little he can’t do. He excels at the sweeper-keeper role and top scored for Armagh with 0-7 against Galway, while his shot stopping has improved immensely. His kickouts have been superb this year as well and he’s been a major driving force for the Orchard County.

Sean Bugler (Dublin)

BUGLER has been one of the in-form players throughout the country this season and has developed into one of the go-to players in the Dublin team. His championship campaign has been blunted by injury, but when he is on the field, Dessie Farrell’s men stand a better chance of extending their season.

Darren McCurry (Tyrone)

THE ‘Dazzler’ remains one of the best forwards in the country and is part of a Tyrone attack that, on their day, will destroy anyone. That sweet left foot of his is one of the best in the business and when McCurry is on song, there’s very few defenders can get to grips with him, as he has demonstrated a couple of times this year.

Rian O’Neill (Armagh)

HE may have missed the league and the Ulster Championship, but Rian O’Neill has been brilliant for Armagh since his return. The two-point threat he carries is unbelievable and if Armagh are to go back-to-back and win another All-Ireland, they’ll need O’Neill to hit that top form once again.

Dáire Ó Baoill (Donegal)

ONE of the best two-point kickers in the country, Ó Baoill has been in and out of the Donegal starting team recently, having been one of their standout players throughout the Ulster Championship. He’s still a brilliant option off the bench if that’s the role he has to play and will no doubt have plenty more big moments this summer.

Shane Walsh (Galway)

WALSH is undoubtedly one of the most talented footballers in the country. He can comfortably kick off both feet and his confidence in front of the posts is unwavering. As he showed against Armagh last weekend, he thrives in the big pressure situation and will be the main man for Padraic Joyce’s side if they are to go all the way.

Joe O’Connor (Kerry)

ONE of the unsung heroes in the Kerry team, Joe O’Connor has been playing out of his skin at midfield. It’s been a problem area for Kerry over the past number of seasons, but O’Connor has really answered the call and has thrived under the new rules, ruling the skies in the green and gold and getting on the score sheet regularly too.

Darragh Canavan (Tyrone)

WHEN plotting the downfall of Malachy O’Rourke’s Tyrone, Darragh Canavan is one of the first names on opposition managers’ lips. He carries a huge scoring threat and is so difficult to get the ball off once he puts the head down and drives forward with that jinking style of his. Canavan is also no stranger to standing up to be counted in the big moments.

Peadar Mogan (Donegal)

THE legs, the energy and the running power that Peadar Mogan provides from deep is exactly what Jim McGuinness is looking for from his player. Mogan can man-mark at the back when required but it’s pouncing on the front foot and charging forward to kick scores and add to the attack where he has really made a name for himself.

Paudie Clifford (Kerry)

WHEN Clifford isn’t on the field, Kerry just don’t have the same threat. He is the one that makes them tick and he is a huge injury concern going forward for the Kingdom. Should Clifford get back to full fitness, then Jack O’Connor’s side are one of the top contenders for the Sam Maguire Cup.