Shaun Casey analyses and ranks the most accurate forwards in the province.

Conor McManus (Monaghan)

Although McManus hasn’t started a game in 2022 yet, he has enough credit in the bank to remain the number one scoring forward in the province. His impact has been limited to two substitute appearances so far in the league and he’s grabbed one point in each outing against Tyrone and Mayo. The Clontibret man has been one of the best sharpshooters in the country for the last decade and he is still burning bright for the Farney men.

Rian O’Neill (Armagh)

Not really the new kid on the block at this stage, but Rian O’Neill is showcasing his talents to a wider audience, on the biggest stage. The Crossmaglen ace helped Armagh finally reach the top tier and now his scoring excellence has allowed them hit the ground running in 2022. O’Neill showed all his class and composure against Dublin, nailing 1-4, and struck a further 0-4 in Armagh’s six-point win over All-Ireland champions Tyrone.

Shane McGuigan (Derry)

At times McGuigan can be a one-man band up in the Derry full-forward line, but the Sleacht Néill dual star is well fit to carry that pressure. His performances last year dragged the Oak Leaf County out of Division Three and this season they look to be pushing on towards the top tier. McGuigan nailed 1-6 at the weekend, including a clinker of a goal, lobbing the goalkeeper from around 30 yards from the target.

Michael Murphy (Donegal)

Perhaps should be further up the list, but Murphy’s versatility and flexibility counts against him when ranking the games sharpshooters. Donegal are still so reliant on the Glenswilly giant, as demonstrated in the McKenna Cup final and when played at full-forward there’s very few better sights than Murphy in full stride. The 2012 All-Ireland winning captain was forced off the field at the weekend through injury, and Declan Bonner will hope his top marksman will be back soon.

Cathal McShane

(Tyrone)

It’s been a bumpy few years for Cathal McShane after bursting on to the scene in 2019 to earn an All-Star at full-forward. Injury has limited his game time, but his impact has been telling for the Red Hands. He showed in 2021 that he has the ability to grab big scores when their needed, no better example than his fisted goal against Mayo in the All-Ireland final. McShane is no doubt a handful in the full-forward line and could have a big season once he gets up to speed.

Gearoid McKiernan (Cavan)

It’s a pity that the Cavan captain is plying his trade in the basement division because he has all the class, guile and skill to perform amongst the best the country has to offer. McKiernan had a super McKenna Cup campaign, earning Man of the Match awards against both Armagh and Tyrone and scored 1-10 in his two games. McKiernan is one of the main reasons that the Breffni men are so heavily tipped for promotion and his scoring exploits should be enough to get them out of Division Four.

Jack McCarron (Monaghan)

Has McCarron fulfilled his potential in the Monaghan jersey? Probably not, but he remains one of the best sharpshooters in the country. He showed nerves of steel against Galway last season to swing over a huge score and secure Division One football for Seamus McEnaney’s men for another year. He caught the eye at the weekend when he top scored for Monaghan with 1-3 (1-2 from play) although it wasn’t enough to get the Farney men over the line against Mayo. His heroics may be called upon once again this season if Monaghan are to survive.

Paddy McBrearty (Donegal)

The Kilcar native has been a real star on the Ulster scene since his debut, but his cruciate ligament injury in 2018 slowed down his progress. McBrearty has one of the most trustworthy left boots in the game and a keen eye for goal as well. He was in flying form throughout the McKenna Cup and was the competitions top scorer with 0-16 across his four games. His goal at the weekend against Kildare helped Donegal secure their first win of the league after a draw with Mayo in round one.

Darren McCurry (Tyrone)

The 2021 All-Star deservingly picked up a lot of plaudits for his performances last year as he helped Tyrone raise the Sam Maguire for the fourth time in their history. The Red Hands rigid defensive formations of the last decade or more has hindered McCurry’s progress, but a new expansive game-plan under Fergal Logan and Brian Dooher has helped the Edendork man blossom. He hasn’t had a great start to the league, with just 0-2 in two games, but McCurry is still one of the sharpest scorers around.

Barry O’Hagan (Down)

Barry O’Hagan looks to be carrying the fight on his own for the Mourne men this season, at least until the Kilcoo players return to the county set up that is. The forward fought Down’s corner almost singlehandedly for Paddy Tally’s men against Donegal in the Ulster Championship last year and he remains the most accurate attacking option at James McCartan’s disposal in 2022. O’Hagan nailed 0-9 in Down’s two McKenna Cup games and has claimed over a third of all their scores so far in the league.