GL’s Shaun Casey has a go at picking his Football Team of the Year

1 Shane Ryan (Kerry)

RYAN has been the Kerry number one for a long time now and is one of the top shot-stoppers in the business. He played a major role in the Kingdom getting their hands back on Sam Maguire and his kickouts were hugely influential throughout the year for Jack O’Connor’s side.

2 Sean Rafferty (Meath)

A REAL breakout year for Rafferty in the green and gold of Meath. His hit on John Maher in the All-Ireland quarter-final win over Galway, when Rafferty was taken off due to an injury but returned to the fray when Robbie Brennan’s men were under pressure, will live long in the memories for the Royals.

3 Brendan McCole (Donegal)

NOTED as one of the best man-markers around before the season, he once again showed why he has that aura. Picked up some of the deadliest sharpshooters in the land and usually came out on top. He had his hands full with David Clifford in the final but was fighting a lonely battle that day.

4 Jason Foley (Kerry)

THE pace of the Kerry full-back is sometimes underrated, but he’s incredible at getting a hand in and turning the ball over. Foley is a real leader for Jack O’Connor’s side, and he stood up to be counted when the going got tough against Armagh, Tryone and Donegal as Kerry went on to capture Sam.

5 Brian Ó Beaglaoich (Kerry)

HE has hit the headlines in recent weeks for his scoring antics at club level and Ó Beaglaoich seems to have just continued his outstanding county form. A regular target for Shane Ryan’s restarts, his ability and willingness to get up and down to pitch and break lines is crucial for Kerry’s transitional play.

6 Gavin White (Kerry)

THE captain of the Kingdom, he set the tone in the All-Ireland final, winning the break ball from the throw-in and charging right at the heart of the Donegal defence. He drove Kerry on when it came to the knockout stages of the championship and the Dr Crokes clubman is a guaranteed All-Star this season.

7 Kieran McGeary (Tyrone)

McGEARY seemed to return to the kind of form that saw him lift the Player of the Year gong when Tyrone last won the All-Ireland back in 2021. He looked back to his best as the Red Hands reached the All-Ireland semi-finals, and he kicked important scores as well as setting up plays throughout the year.

8 Michael Langan (Donegal)

AN absolute standout season for Langan at midfield. He rattled the net against Monaghan in the quarter-finals, on his 100th appearance in the green and gold, and that helped to turn the tide that day. His scoring return as a midfielder is unbelievable and he never quit despite things going wrong on the big day.

9 Joe O’Connor (Kerry)

MIDFIELD has been a real problem area for Kerry, ever since David Moran quit really, but O’Connor has certainly filled the void this year. Not afraid to throw his body around and always up for the fight around the middle of the park, his stunning goal in the All-Ireland final just capped an incredible season.

10 Oisin Conaty (Armagh)

ARMAGH crashed out of the All-Ireland series at the quarter-finals stage and their grasp on Sam Maguire went with it. But last year’s Young Footballer of the Year was breath-taking at times this season. He kicked 0-6 in the Ulster final defeat to Donegal and again versus Kerry, standing up to be counted when he was needed.

11 SeÁn O’Shea (Kerry)

AGAINST Armagh, Kerry needed their leaders to raise their hands, or their season was coming to an abrupt end. O’Shea was the man that did that. Even when things were going against the Kingdom that day, O’Shea was still one of the best players on the field and he carried that form with him for the rest of the campaign.

12 Paudie Clifford (Kerry)

His All-Ireland final display probably guarantees Clifford an All-Star and although Donegal will feel they could have marked him better, Clifford performed and reacted to the circumstances surrounding him. One of the best playmakers in the country, but he’s well fit to kick scores as well.

13 David Clifford (Kerry)

A SHOO-IN once again for the Player of the Year award, the new rules suit the younger Clifford brother down to a tee. Didn’t see as much of the ball in the All-Ireland final but anything he touched turned to gold and Clifford is certainly going down as one of the best, if not the best, to ever do it.

14 Michael Murphy (Donegal)

MURPHY didn’t get the glory his comeback perhaps deserved, and an All-Star will be no consolation to losing the All-Ireland final. Still, the Glenswilly giant deserves huge credit for his displays all year long as Donegal retained the Anglo Celt and made it back to a fourth ever All-Ireland final.

15 Conor O’Donnell (Donegal)

O’DONNELL was a major loss to Donegal last season, but he certainly made up for lost time in 2025. He kept driving at the Kerry defence in the All-Ireland final when everything was going against Jim McGuinness’ side and he finished the campaign with 3-27 to his name.