Robbie Smyth named GAA.ie Footballer of the Week
Robbie Smyth
Longford's Robbie Smyth has come out on top in the public vote for this week's GAA.ie Footballer of the Week.
Smyth has been the star of Longford's Championship campaign thus far, and scored the decisive goal in their shock victory over 2015 Ulster Champions Monaghan in the Qualifiers on Saturday.
That feat helped earn him 40 per cent of the votes cast on the GAA's official Twitter (@officialgaa), Facebook, and Instagram pages and top the poll ahead of Galway's Declan Kyne and Kildare's Niall Kelly.
GAA.ie Footballer of the Week
1: Robbie Smyth - 2431 (40 per cent)
2: Declan Kyne - 2054 (34 per cent)
3: Niall Kelly - 1551 (26 per cent)
**Robbie Smth **played a key role in Longford's famous victory over Monaghan on Saturday.
It was he who scored the decisive goal late in the second-half, and it was a very tasty finish indeed by the corner-forward. His all-round game was superb throughout too as he provided a willing and clever outlet in attack.
He finished with 1-2 to his name and has now scored a total of 2-11 in three Championship matches to date. Smyth didn't play for Longford last year but was persuaded back into the fold by manager Denis Connerton. That's now looking like an inspired piece of management.
High-scoring forwards normally dominate these nominations, but it's important that defensive excellence is recognised too.
The drawn Connacht Final may not have been a particularly entertaining game, but Galway full-back **Declan Kyne **deserves recognition for his sterling performance at full-back for the Tribesmen.
Not only did he shut-down the dangerous Roscommon inside-forward line, he also charged out of the defense to good effect on a number of occasions to launch Galway counter-attacks.
Kildare threw caution to the wind in their Round 2 Qualifier against Offaly by abandoning their double-sweeper system, and Niall Kelly was one of the biggest beneficiaries.
He had cut a frustrated, isolated figure in their Leinster semi-final defeat to Westmeath when he scored just a single point, but on Saturday against Offaly he saw much more of the ball and had significantly better support in attack.
That brought the best from a player who thrives when he has others to link cleverly with, and he finished the game with four fine points from play to his name.
Players of the Week are decided based on votes cast by followers of @officialgaa on Twitter, on the Official GAA Facebook Page and on the Official GAA Instagram page.
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