9.
9 – Jordan Hayes - Jordan Hayes has had a tremendous league campaign and is playing the best football of his life. He is moving very well and is very good on the ball. His first half two pointer was a big score, though it was a very borderline one and he was very close to being inside the arc when he kicked it. His honesty and work rate is considerable and he has contributed powerfully to Offaly's good run. Rating – 7.
10.
10 – Kyle Higgins - Kyle Higgins' emergence has been a great help to Offaly this year. A promising young underage player, he spent time away and is only establishing himself now. It looked like the inter county ship had sailed for him but he has taken full advantage of his chance this year. He has worked very hard to get himself into terrific physical shape and he is another player with a great work ethic. He breaks tackles, blocks runs and forages in midfield for breaks. With the best emerging midfielder in Offaly, Cillian Bourke injured and Offaly short of a real natural ball winning player here, these attributes are crucial. He missed the Clare game but a scan on a hamstring came back all clear and he did well on Sunday. Rating – 7.
11.
11 – Cathal Flynn - The quality of Cathal Flynn's performances this year has taken the breath away. His movement, his patient probing for gaps and the way he races through them is top class and has been such a big factor in Offaly's displays. He has a footballing brain to match. The way he dances with the ball and spreads passes around is an absolute joy to watch. It is a sign of how good he has been that his influence was actually higher in some of the other games but he was still excellent here – he has a work rate to match this talent and chased back to close down players on several occasions. - Rating – 8.
12.
12 – Keith O'Neill - Keith O'Neill is another who has brought his football to a new level this year and he had the best game of an excellent campaign here. He scored four points from play, had a major assist in the two goals. He gave some simple but audacious passes and his pace and movement on the ball had Kildare reaching for the panic button every single time. He was the TG4 man of the match and displayed real leadership qualities. - Rating – 9.