By Shaun Casey

David Clifford

(Kerry) 8-62

It’s no surprise that in the first season of the new scoring system in Gaelic football that David Clifford, the best forward in the game, finishes the year at the top of the scoring chats. He was sensational for the Kingdom this season as they captured the Sam Maguire Cup. His 0-9 haul in the All-Ireland final, despite not being overly involved in the contest, just summed up the campaign he had and he’s the frontrunner for Player of the Year.

Seánie O’Shea

(Kerry) 1-50

It’s fair to say that Seánie O’Shea almost single-handedly turned Kerry’s season around. Their backs were against the wall in the quarter-final against reigning All-Ireland champions Armagh, but he put in a massive shift and led the line for Jack O’Connor’s men. His early two-pointers set the tone that day and O’Shea finished the game as top scorer with 0-12. His only goal of the season came against Cork in the Munster semi-final.

Michael Murphy

(Donegal) 0-52

Despite finishing the season without an All-Ireland medal, Murphy’s return to the Donegal setup was a massive success story. He got his hands back on the Anglo Celt Cup and finished the campaign as his county’s top scorer. That won’t be any consolation to the Glenswilly giant of course, he came back for a second Celtic Cross, but most of the country will appreciate the work and effort he put in to have such a storming season.

Rob Finnerty

(Galway) 3-40

Shane Walsh and Damian Comer usually get all the recognition in the Galway forward line but Rob Finnerty goes about his business without much of a fuss. His left-foot wand is as good as any in the country and Finnerty is a constant goal threat in Pádraic Joyce’s attacking unit. He bagged three majors this season, all coming in the All-Ireland group stage games against Dublin, Derry and Armagh.

Sam Mulroy

(Louth) 4-37

Louth’s leading man for the last few years, he has been one of the best forwards in the country in recent times as well. Captain of the Wee County, Mulroy had the honour of climbing the steps of the Hogan Stand this season and lifting the Delaney Cup, ending Louth’s 68-year wait for a Leinster title. He was in All-Star form this year and his accuracy from frees have been a major reason why Louth have developed so much.

Ryan O’Donoghue

(Mayo) 2-39

Mayo didn’t even make it out of the group stages, and only played six championship games, so O’Donoghue’s return of 2-39 for the season is pretty good. He top scored for Kevin McStay’s side in their Connacht final defeat to rivals Galway with 0-9 and carried that huge scoring threat right throughout the championship. He rattled the net in the opening round against Sligo and also raised a green flag against Tyrone in the group stages.

Pat Havern

(Down) 0-41

Down’s attacking ace Pat Havern took to the new rules likes a duck to water. While he wears the number 14 jersey, the Saval man tends to drift out the field and comes onto moves late, leaving him in pole position to land two-pointers. He was outstanding against Monaghan in the group stage tie, although his side didn’t get over the line, and had an awesome championship campaign for the men in red and black.

Eoghan Frayne

(Meath) 0-41

Meath had a year to remember under Robbie Brennan, beating the Dubs to reach the Leinster final and making it all the way to the last four in the race for Sam Maguire. Unfortunately, the Royals left 2025 empty handed but they showed they have plenty of young talent emerging in the county and Eoghan Frayne is one of them. The captain of the team, Frayne is one of those exciting youngsters and he’ll hope to go from strength to strength in the near future.

Darren McCurry

(Tyrone) 0-37

Unfortunately for McCurry, his best form seemed to leave him when the Red Hand County reached Jones’ Road. He didn’t have his best day in a Tyrone shirt when they upset the odds to defeat Dublin and was replaced in the All-Ireland semi-final when things were going wrong against Kerry. Still, the Edendork man was at the forefront of Tyrone’s attacking power and finished the year as the top scorer in Malachy O’Rourke’s side.

Conor O’Donnell

(Donegal) 3-25

Arguably Donegal’s best player in the All-Ireland final, Conor O’Donnell showcased his ability to kick and score off either foot. He was a huge loss to Donegal last season when he missed out through injury but certainly made his mark for Jim McGuinness’ side in 2025. He rattled off three-pointers against Cavan, Louth and Meath.