Blaine Hughes: All you want from your goalkeeper on the big days is competency – and Hughes was exactly that. A safe pair of hands when a couple of Galway shots dropped short. With a Celtic Cross medal, surely an Allstar will follow. 7.5
Paddy Burns: An injury-free Paddy Burns is such an asset to Armagh. He was touch-tight to Rob Finnerty before the Galway forward had to come off injured. Did brilliantly to stop one of Galway’s attacks down the Cusack stand in the second half. 7.5
Aaron McKay: The Dromintee man’s evolution over the last three seasons has been incredible. Played sweeper and when Forker or McCambridge pushed forward, McKay minded the fort. And then to fist home the only goal of the game showed just how brave a footballer he is. 8
Barry McCambridge: Must be in the shake-up for Player of the Year. Unfazed no matter who he marks. Conceded one stupendous point to Shane Walsh – but stuck with the Galway talisman stride for stride and grabbed a first-half point himself. 8
Aidan Forker: Brilliant speech on the steps of Hogan. Brilliant footballer and leader. The right man to track Damien Comer. Won that battle and scored an amazing first-half point. Courageous performance. 7.5
Tiernan Kelly: Not a natural centre back but had a solid final, mostly killing space down the centre of the Armagh defence. Stepped up and hit a point that drew Armagh level in the second half. 7
Connaire Mackin: Offered an imposing road block down the right flank and pushed Matthew Tierney to the fringes of this final. 7
Niall Grimley: Céin Darcy posed a lot of problems in the middle of the field - but Grimley worked his way into it. You couldn’t put a price on his brave 62nd minute point at the Canal End that put Armagh two ahead. 7
Ben Crealey: Another man-of-the-match contender. Paul Conroy hit three points from ridiculous distances, but the Maghery man grabbed two himself. His desire to hunt ball and get crucial hits in were absolutely awesome. 8.5
Joe McElroy: One of Armagh’s unsung heroes. One of the most disciplined performers you’ll see. Scuffed a ‘mark’ wide but this was a typical Joe McElroy performance rooted in hard graft and keeping the game simple. 7
Rian O’Neill: Showed leadership from start to finish. Produced a champagne moment with a wonderful 41st minute score to draw Armagh level, but also excellent out of possession. 7.5
STAR MAN: Oisin Conaty: The Tir na nOg clubman was the spark the Armagh attack needed in 2024. Revealed his true character on the biggest stage too, especially after a disappointing semi-final. Ran at Sean Mulkerrin from the get-go. Hit three nerveless points from play, never lost a ball. Galway never got to grips with him and was a key reason why Armagh are All-Ireland champions. Outstanding final. 8.5
Rory Grugan: Lively. Inventive. Intelligent. It’s what the Ballymacnab man does every day. Armagh lost their creative hub due to injury for the final quarter at a time when the team sorely needed his composure. 7.5
Andrew Murnin: When Sean Fitzgerald couldn’t beat the St Paul’s man in the air, he fouled him. Clipped the goalpost in the dying stages but Galway couldn’t capitalise from the subsequent attack. And All-Ireland champion at minor and senior now. 6.5
Conor Turbitt: Missed an early free and was turned over in the second half – but it wasn’t a day for the inside men to shine. Fantastic season. 6.5
Subs:
Stefan Campbell: Added an attacking spark and set up Aaron McKay for the game-changing goal. Turned over by Galway on one occasion, but crucial to Armagh’s All-Ireland surge. 7
Ross McQuillan: More of a containing job than the last day against Kerry. Two All-Irelands – club and county – in 2024. 6
Oisin O’Neill: Made up for his missed chances against Kerry by nailing a beauty and delivered a brave kick pass for Grimley to score. 7
Jarlath Og Burns: His running power in the final throes of the game was so important. Assisted for Oisin O’Neill’s score. 6
Jason Duffy: Not on long enough to be rated. But the Cullyhanna man won’t care.