GLIST: Ulster’s scoring hotshots

With the championships now in full swing at both All-Ireland and Tailteann Cup level, Shaun Casey looks at the players from Ulster leading the scoring charge

Pat Havern (Down) 0-27

Undoubtedly the go-to man in the Down attack, Havern has really grown into that talismanic figure and doesn’t shy away from that burden. The Saval clubman usually wears 14 on his back but can be found anywhere on the field and that’s what makes his scoring return so remarkable. He is tailor-made for the two-point arc and has been a joy to watch this season.

Michael Murphy (Donegal) 0-26

It’s fair to say that Michael Murphy has caught everyone by surprise on his return. Everybody knows the legendary figure that he is but for him to demand a starting place on the team and be the main man once again, no one would have predicted that. But he’s been in fantastic form and has been carrying the can for Donegal and he’s not finished yet.

Darren McCurry (Tyrone) 0-26

Has one of the best left foot swings in the business and when McCurry is on song, it usually means Tyrone are going well. He was a one-man band at times in their Ulster semi-final defeat to Armagh, striking 0-10, and was his accurate best against Donegal as well. How far Malachy O’Rourke’s men go this summer will depend a lot on McCurry’s form.

Rory Grugan (Armagh) 0-22

One of the more experienced heads in the Armagh camp, Grugan is having a season to remember. The Ballymacnab playmaker didn’t have his best day out in the Ulster final but has been in sparkling form all year. He gave a player of the match display against Dublin the last day out and his defensive contributions were just as important as the 0-8 he registered.

Dominic McEnhill (Antrim) 0-21

McEnhill is part of a tricky inside line for Antrim that when given the service, they can do the damage on the scoreboard. A fan of the new two-point arc as well, McEnhill was the main man up top last weekend for the Saffrons as they downed London to book their place in the preliminary quarter-finals of the Tailteann Cup, top scoring on the day with 0-6.

Conor Love (Fermanagh) 2-15

Love really caught the eyes of the province in his Ulster Championship display against Down when he was the player of the match despite ending up on the losing team. Again last Sunday at Croke Park, he was the one leading the charge for Kieran Donnelly’s men and his nine-point haul helped Fermanagh top their group and advance straight to the last eight of the Tailteann Cup.

Patrick McBrearty (Donegal) 1-18

By his own incredibly high standards, McBrearty didn’t have his best day out the last day against Cavan although Donegal were flying high. He only contributed a point on the day but has been a leading figure in their attack for a very long time now. Struck a couple of crucial scores in their Ulster final win over Armagh and nailed the goal that turned the tide against Down in the semi-final.

Danny Magill (Down) 0-17

Has been one of the finds of the season in terms of the scoring charts. The Burren clubman is an industrial hard worker around the middle of the park and adds a lot of legs to Down’s running game, but he’s been incredible in front of the posts as well. Magill top scored alongside Havern last weekend as the Mourne men recorded their second consecutive victory in the All-Ireland series. He finished with half a dozen points.

Patrick McBride (Antrim) 1-14

Stood out a mile in the Armagh match for his willingness to kick over from long range and was untouchable at Corrigan Park that day. McBride has been a dedicated warrior for the Saffron cause for some time now and is still leading the fight for Andy McEntee’s side. He nailed another two-pointer last weekend against London and chipping in with 0-3 on the day.

Garvan Jones (Fermanagh) 0-17

Jones has that big imposing figure of an old-fashioned full-forward, but he is fairly light on his feet as well. Along with Conor Love, Jones is the scoring threat up top for the Erne County and displayed that again last weekend in Croke Park when he contributed 0-4 of their tally, including a second-half two-pointer.