Conor McManus all but confirmed his retirement last weekend after Monaghan were knocked out of the championship by Galway.
The 36-year-old didn't want to make any official comment so soon after the defeat, but he didn't shy away from the fact that the race is almost run, and that his inter-county career is approaching the end, whether he stays on for one more year or not.
When the Farney forward does hang up his boots, it will mark the end of one of the single greatest footballers to ever helm from Ulster, and that is good company to be in.
Retirement plans often make us reflect on what was, and the nostalgia got us thinking about the greatest forwards to ever come from Ulster, and after much debate, hair pulling, and head scratching, we have narrowed it down to five.
Léigh an scéal seo trí Ghaeilge ar Liathróidí.ie brúigh anseo.
5. Michael Murphy
When Murphy was just 21 years old he captained Donegal to their first Ulster title in almost 20 years back in 2011, and then lead them to their second ever All-Ireland title the following year.
When Jim McGuinness left as manager in 2014, Murphy's importance to the team grew even larger, as he was able to keep them competitive, winning provincial titles and mixing with the top teams in the country, even when the team around him wasn't as strong as it previously was.
A clutch player who personifies everything it is to be a leader, and when you consider that before he arrived on the scene, his county had only won five Ulster titles, so for him to then captain them to another five, is just incredible.
Throw in the five All-Stars, one All-Ireland title and many unforgettable moments, and it's clear to see why Murphy is fully deserving of his spot on this list.
4. James McCartan
'Wee James' as he was affectionately known, was one of the slickest, creative, and inventive forwards to ever play Gaelic football, never mind just in Ulster.
At just 15 years old, McCartan was the star man in Down's 1986 Ulster winning minor team, and just four years later, he made his debut for the senior team, picking up on All-Star that season as well.
The following year he spearheaded his county's attack as they shocked everyone by winning the All-Ireland title, a feat that he repeated again in 1994.
Being the best player in two brilliant All-Ireland winning teams is of course an incredible achievement, but even when his teammates weren't performing, 'wee James' was able to muster up moments of individual genius that got bums out of seats, mouths dropping to the floor, and his name onto this list.
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3. Conor McManus
The man of the moment, Conor McManus has undoubtedly earned himself a spot high up this list after spending the better part of two decades tormenting Ulster defenders.
Not ignoring the fact that the Farney star is the single highest scorer in Ulster championship history, when you look up the term 'clutch' player, it should have a picture of him next to it.
Time and time again it was him standing over the ball when Monaghan needed saving, and time and time again he did just that, and helped them win two Ulster titles on the journey.
What is perhaps most impressive about the silky sharp shooter, is the fact that he has won three All-Stars despite never reaching an All-Ireland final, and for anyone who was unfortunate enough to not see it, go and watch his winning point against Tyrone in the 2018 Ulster championship, as it is widely regarded as the best score every produced in the province.
Conor McManus 71st minute score v Tyrone in 2018.
One of the best to ever do it.pic.twitter.com/bwt6It9nw5
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) June 22, 2024
2. Oisin McConville
If you never watched Oisin McConville kick a ball, you only need to look at his CV to see that his place on this list is fully deserved.
Seven Ulster titles and one All-Ireland at county level, along with a staggering 10 Ulster titles and six All-Irelands at club level - the Armagh magician was at the focal point of these incredible achievements, and he looked good doing it.
The Crossmaglen native missed a penalty against Kerry in the 2002 All-Ireland final, but then scored one from play to help his county win their only Sam Maguire trophy, but it wasn't just the big days that he was famed for.
The flying forward consistently racked up ridiculously high scoring tallies in matches, and at one stage was the top points scorer in Ulster championship history.
Few people in Gaelic football can say that they truly won it all, but McConville did just that.
1. Peter Canavan
For years Peter Canavan was dubbed as the 'greatest player to never win an All-Ireland' as he toiled for over a decade in the Tyrone jersey, delivering some of the most jaw-dropping individual performances you have ever seen, including an 11-point exhibition in the 1995 All-Ireland final against Dublin, where they lost by a single point - Tyrone only managed one score that day that didn't come from the boot of Canavan.
In the latter stages of his career Canavan never gave up on his dream to lead Tyrone to Sam, and in 2003, now in his 30s, he captained his county to that very goal.
Not satisfied with one however, he did the same again in 2005, scoring a goal in the final against Kerry and signing off as one of the greatest footballers to ever lace up a pair of boots, and the greatest forward in Ulster's fine history.
No longer is he dubbed as the 'greatest player to never win an All-Ireland' but is instead now simply referred to as 'God'.
