The race for the 2024 Golden Boot in this year's All-Ireland is officially over, and whether it is the top scorer overall, or from play, it does tell you a little about how the modern game is played.
Despite the fact that Galway and Armagh were the two teams playing in the final, meaning that they have officially played and won the most games this year, neither side had a player that topped the lists.
In fact, neither side had a forward who even finished second, although Armagh's Conor Turbitt did sneak in at number three in the scores from play rankings.
It goes to show that high scoring forwards are not necessarily an essential attribute for a team if they want to win the All-Ireland title.
Championship 2024 Top Scorers Overall
- Ryan O'Donoghue (Mayo) 3-48
- Sam Mulroy (Louth) 3-43
- Oisin Gallen (Donegal) 2-33
- Rob Finnerty (Galway) 1-34
- = Cormac Costello (Dublin) 2-29
- = David Clifford (Kerry) 2-29
READ HERE: Kieran Donaghy Recalls 'Fall Outs' In Armagh Camp En Route To All-Ireland Glory
So Ryan O'Donoghue tops the list, despite the fact that Mayo were eliminated from the championship in the preliminary quarter finals, which tells you just how impactful he has been this season.
Sam Mulroy didn't make The Sunday Game's Team of the Year, but his high numbers and Louth's incredible run to the quarter final stages highlight what an incredible season he has had, so he might still get his All-Star.
Oisin Gallen has replaced Michael Murphy as Donegal's main threat up front more seamlessly than anyone could have hoped considering the massive gap in the team that his departure left.
Rob Finnerty was on the pitch for less than 10 minutes before injury meant he had to be taken off in the All-Ireland final, but even then he still managed to get on the scoresheet beforehand.
Cormac Costello has been as prolific as ever, and although this has been David Clifford's worst season in front of the posts, the fact that he is still joint fifth in the list, tells you how high his standards are.
Championship 2024 Top Scorers From Play
- Con O'Callaghan (Dublin) 4-11
- Paul Conroy (Galway) 2-16
- Conor Turbitt (Armagh) 3-12
- = Rob Finnerty (Galway) 1-16
- = Oisin Gallen (Donegal) 1-16
- = Ryan O'Donoghue (Mayo) 1-16
- = Craig Lennon (Louth) 4-07
Con O'Callaghan retains his status as one of the most dangerous forwards in the game, although you do need to take into consideration that Dublin don't face any Division One teams during the Leinster championship.
Paul Conroy is one of the frontrunners for Player of the Year, and rightly so, because at 35 years of age, he is still dominating the game, and kicking 2-16 from play, from midfield, is just outrageous.
Conor Turbitt didn't have a good final, but he has had an incredible season, and the image of him sprinting down on goal against Kerry in extra time to fist over the crucial score in that game will be longstanding highlight in this season.
Finnerty, Gallen, O'Donoghue, and Craig Lennon share the spoils for fourth place, but it's worth reiterating once again that Mayo were eliminated before the games even got to Croke Park, which shows just how in-form O'Donoghue was this year.
SEE ALSO: RTÉ Sunday Sport's Football Team Of The Year Is A Better Representation Of The GAA Year
