Michael McMullan takes a look some of the new players who have caught the eye and might have a say at the business end of the season when the temperature rises

Shea Malone

(Donegal)

HE has carried his impact with Naomh Conaill into the county scene. An excellent addition and his eye for goal that could see him push for serious consideration in when championship action heats up. Seems to have the nerve for the big occasion and Donegal fans are excited by him.

Tomás Kennedy

(Kerry)

KENNEDY played a bit last season but Jack O’Connor’s use of him so far suggests he will climb the ladder this season. His ability to win ball over his head might see him ahead of others in the selection queue if Kerry are thinking of being more direct or want to mix up David Clifford’s game more than last year.

Lara Marsden

(Armagh)

ARMAGH ladies have been knocking on the door with the core of a team who’ve played at the top level. Lara Marsden is one of the newcomers who came into the fold this year and has fitted right in. Despite their loss to Waterford, Marsden marked her debut with two points. It will be interesting to see if she can break into their championship plans.

Jack Loughran

(Armagh)

LOUGHRAN was midfield when Armagh minors reached the 2024 Ulster and All-Ireland football finals. He was also an Ulster Schools hurling All-Star and hit three goals as the Orchard County’s minor hurlers won last season’s Celtic Challenge. Karl McKeegan has slotted him into the Armagh senior team and he’s notched 0-19 in three games.

Ella Sheridan

(Cavan)

HITTING 1-5 in a player of the final performance against Kerry put Ella Sheridan’s name in lights after a memorable minor campaign. In a county where underage development has been off the charts, the Killinkere player has fitted in perfectly to county senior football. When the championship jerseys are handed out, she will be well in the conversation.

Oisin Doherty

(Antrim)

PORTGLENONE have made great strides in recent seasons and Doherty has taken his club form into the Antrim scene. After being thereabouts last season, he has played in both games so far despite the Saffrons having a tough start. His movement and game smarts allow him to make space and he knows where the posts are. If Antrim are to turn the corner, they’ll be looking to him in attack.

Darragh Beirne

(Mayo)

TWO league games, two wins and two goals. That’s what Andy Moran has got from a youngster he has put faith in despite only having played school football last season. Mayo fans have been looking out for his form since underage. If he can continue improving, it will allow Ryan O’Donoghue to play further out. Moran can probably see something of his own Mayo performances in how Beirne plays.

Ethan Jordan

(Tyrone)

HIS sizzling return in the championship for Eglish has alerted Malachy O’Rourke to Jordan’s qualities. He hit 1-9 on his debut but it was his vision that created a goal out of nothing for Ciarán Daly against Derry. In a Tyrone attack where many players operate in a similar fashion, Jordan offers something different and is an excellent free taker.

Pearse McPolin

(Down)

McPOLIN has been a constant since coming into the Down side this season, another example of how Conor Laverty has trawled the county in search of fresh faces. He was joint captain when Drumgath lifted the Down Intermediate title two years ago. His presence in defence can allow Ryan McEvoy to operate at midfield.

Ava Caulfield

(Donegal)

DONEGAL have won all three league games so far and Dungloe’s Ava Caulfield has laid down a marker after coming in from the underage ranks. After emerging from her club’s production line, she made her mark as Donegal minor vice-captain and looks like cementing a place in James Daly’s plans for the latter end of the season.

Ruairí Forbes

(Derry)

HAVING made his debut last year in the championship, Forbes has played in both of Derry’s league games in 2026 under Ciarán Meenagh. He has all the attributes to push on as a senior player having blossomed from underage. Was on the radar of AFL scouts, which says a lot about his athleticism, but he has the football to match.

Darragh McElearney

(Monaghan)

THERE has been a turnover of players in the Oriel County but Gabriel Bannigan sifted through the club scene looking for new blood. McElearney is one of the newcomers who can play as a marker and also offer something going the other way. He has been handed a tough baptism in Division One but looks like he is there to stay.

Eoin Cully

(Kildare)

BRIAN Flanagan has had a handle on all things underage in Kildare and Cully is one of the newcomers now in the senior setup. Alongside Alex Beirne and Brian McLoughlin, he has given defences plenty to think about. Cully has been tipped as someone who will nail down a championship berth when the season thickens up.

Fionn McDonagh

(Galway)

JUST when you thought Galway had enough big men, McDonagh has burst onto the scene and he looks like he belongs. With the continued debate over the availability of Damien Comer, McDonagh might just be the perfect piece for Padraic Joyce to slot into his inside line. It will take a physical defender to match up on him.