There's nothing like the championship to herald the start of the summer, here's our football team of the week ...

1. Michael O'Neill (Tyrone)

The championship debutant from Clonoe couldn't be faulted for his side's three-point defeat as he pulled off a number of fine saves.

2. Kevin Maguire (Westmeath)

Maguire and his Westmeath team-mates now turn their attention to a quarter-final clash against Wexford after they gained revenge from last year's defeat at the hands of Louth.

3. Neil McGee (Donegal)

Is there a better full-back in gaelic football at the moment? On the evidence of yesterday's game in Ballybofey the answer is no.

4. Mark Timmons (Laois)

The Graiguecullen clubman hadn't far to travel to Netwatch Cullen Park on Saturday evening as Laois experienced little difficulty in disposing of the Carlow challenge.

5. Colm P Smyth (Longford)

Smyth's adventurous spirit was rewarded with a point in each half of Saturday's three-point victory over Offaly.

6. Karl Lacey (Donegal)

Hugely influential in the heart of the Donegal defence, the former Footballer of the Year also inflicted damage on Tyrone on the counter-attack and chipped in with a trademark point.

7. Frank McGlynn (Donegal)

Underlined his importance to the Donegal cause with another all-action display and was particularly effect in the transition from defence to attack.

8. Brendan Quigley (Laois)

Quigley and his midfield partner John O'Loughlin will face a much sterner examination against Kildare in the last eight.

9. Paul Conroy (Galway)

In a game that left a lot to be desired, the Galway captain was one of the few players who rose above the mediocre.

10. Martin McElhinney (Donegal)

Has emerged as a vital cog in the Donegal machine as he continued where he left off in the league and finished as his side's top scorer with 1-2.

11. Michael Quinn (Longford)

Missed a penalty in the first-half but the Killoe player's finger prints were all over Longford's stirring comeback in O'Connor Park, Tullamore.

12. Ray Connellan (Westmeath)

A close second behind John Heslin in the 'man-of-the-match' permutations, the maroon and whites' half-forward was a constant thorn in the side of the Louth defence and helped himself to 1-2.

13. Donie Kingston (Laois)

The experienced Kingston warmed up for a quarter-final against Kildare when shooting 1-5 (1-3 from play) against the Barrowsiders.

14. John Heslin (Westmeath)

Louth's defence will be glad to see the back of Heslin who raised nine white flags in Drogheda and also had a hand in two of the Lake County's three goals.

15. Brian Kavanagh (Longford)

The Kilmacud Crokes clubman used his experience to telling effect against the Faithful County and contributed five points to his side's tally.

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