5.
Centre half back: Leon Fox (Ferbane) Another old style, traditional type defender, Leon Fox also showed terrific leadership for Ferbane. One of the real heartbeats of the side, he was immense in the centre of defence. The Belmont man revelled in things when football was at its most physical, gave a man of the match display in the semi-final win over Shamrocks and had some great games. Diarmuid Egan did cause him some problems when introduced in the county final but again, Fox's desire was inspirational while he was controversially penalised for over carrying for a crucial late free. Shamrocks' David O'Rourke had some very good games for them in the centre of defence.
6.
Left half back: John Furlong (Tullamore) Tullamore experimented with playing John Furlong at centre half forward in the group stages. With so little at stake, it was an ideal opportunity to try something from the left field and you could see what they were at. It didn't work, however, he was a bit like a fish out of water for some games and he was moved back to familiar territory on the half back line for the knockout stages. Here he showed his quality, defending with his now customary brilliance, reading the game well and mopping up ball as well as getting forward into good attacking positions. He gets in ahead of his Tullamore team mates, Nigel Bracken and Oisin Keenan-Martin, who both performed very well.
7.
Midfield: Jordan Hayes (Edenderry) It didn't happen for Edenderry this year, despite making the semi-finals. Two players were instrumental in them making this stage and it was part of Edenderry's problems that they didn't have enough others who got up to their standard. Jordan Hayes got better and better for them as the year went on. Tullamore were way too strong for Edenderry in the semi-final but Hayes had a great quarter-final when he got three points from midfield against Bracknagh. He was very good on the ball and kicked his share of points.
8.
Midfield: Cillian Bourke (Tullamore) Cillian Bourke was a huge addition to Tullamore this year and looks set to be an Offaly senior footballer for several years. He was selected mainly at wing forward but spent a lot of time out around midfield, linking between the half back and full forward lines as well as contesting ball. He oozed quality, carried the ball so well and was immense in most games. He gets in ahead of his Tullamore colleague Aaron Leavy, who also went well in most games and Ferbane's Kyle Higgins.