10 Andy Moran’s goal v Kerry
All-Ireland semi-final replay, Croke Park, August 26th
The moment at which Mayo became a different proposition. Five points up at half-time, the normal course of events would have seen a Kerry comeback. Moran was having none of it, catching high and trading a one-two with Cillian O’Connor to nail down the lid.
9 Conor Loftus’s goal v Derry
All-Ireland SFC qualifier, Castlebar, July 1st
Mayo Were Gone, Part One. Derry were visibly tiring but they still had a point lead as the clock ticked 70. This was a brilliant goal, worked the length of the pitch through precise passing. Cillian O’Connor dished off the last one for Loftus to finish with aplomb.
8 Brian Stack’s goal v Galway
Connacht final, Pearse Stadium, July 9th
Roscommon were playing with a six-point lead into what felt like a six-point wind. Stack pounced onto a Galway kick-out 50 metres out, took the mark, ignored the whistle and made for goal, finishing to the bottom left corner. Game, set, Connacht title.
7 Kieran Donaghy’s goal v Galway
All-Ireland quarter-final, Croke Park, July 30th
Galway had a plan for Donaghy - he treated them like errand boys sent by grocery clerks to collect a bill. A long ball in high found his big white gloves, marker flailing, sweeper floundering. Just for kicks, he turned inside on his left foot and roofed the finish.
6 Mayo’s three goals in five minutes v Roscommon
All-Ireland quarter-final replay, Croke Park, August 7th
End of the road for the Rossies, and maybe the true start of it for Mayo. This was the day they said enough was enough. Roscommon were blitzed and goals from Kevin McLoughlin, Andy Moran and Keith Higgins made Mayo's point emphatically.
5 Jamie Clarke’s goal v Tipperary
All-Ireland SFC qualifier, Thurles, July 15th
Only the geniuses can do it like this. Armagh were a point up in the 69th minute and this was the most elegant killshot of the year. Left alone in front of goal, he dropped the ball onto his left foot, nurdled it around the onrushing Tipp keeper and sidefooted home.
4 Diarmuid Connolly’s push
Leinster SFC, Portlaoise, June 17th
Connolly was manhandled by three Carlow players on the sideline and when the call went against him, he pushed linesman Ciarán Branagan in the shoulder. And so began the summer’s most tiresome circus. Pushgate, Spillanegate, CCCCgate, 12-week-gate.
3 Aidan O’Shea picks up Kieran Donaghy
All-Ireland semi-final, Croke Park, August 20th
The Mayo News came up with five different markers for Donaghy in the build-up and none of them were Aidan O’Shea. So when he went in full-back after five minutes, the hum around the ground was palpable. He probably lost the battle; the war was another story.
2 Con O’Callaghan’s goal v Tyrone
All-Ireland semi-final, Croke Park, August 27th
This was supposed to be different. But then it was just the same. Tyrone gave the ball away in midfield and a quick kick-pass left O’Callaghan with the Hill beckoning him home. Dublin’s new starlet needed only one sidestep and a sight of goal and that was that.
1 Paddy Durcan’s point v Kerry
All-Ireland semi-final, Croke Park, August 20th
Mayo have five minutes of injury-time to find an equaliser - the only surprise is probably that they didn’t find a winner too. Consummate patience from Donie Vaughan sent up Durcan for a return pass and one of Mayo’s most reliable shooters did the business.
