FEATURE: The kings from play

Former Gaelic Lifer John Hughes, proprietor of @TheNumbersGael, has looked at football’s top scorers from play from 10 onwards

SCORES from play are some of the most valuable currency in Gaelic football and John Hughes, proprietor of X account @TheNumbersGael, has crunched the data to look at the players who lead that chart from 2010 to 2024.

Ulster features strongly, and it must also be noted that players must make at least 10 appearances to be included.

David Clifford (Kerry) – 3.33 points per game

NO surprise to see this man at the top of the list given his undoubted talent and Kerry’s usual raft of easy games throughout the season.

In 76 appearances, he has plundered a sensational 24-181 from play and there seems to be no reason why he can’t maintain those high standards for years to come.

One of the best players to ever lace boots, his topping of this list only enhances his reputation further.

Bernard Brogan (Dublin) – 3.01

BROGAN made just three appearances shy of 100 in this time-frame and he was consistency personified when it came to scoring having become the attacking poster boy as Dublin took control of the Sam Maguire.

Like Clifford, goals really boosted his numbers and he managed 34 from play from 2010 to his retirement after the 2019 season.

One of the silkiest footballers of recent times, he carried Dublin to many a victory.

Steven McDonnell (Armagh) – 2.73

STEVEN McDonnell’s name high up a scoring chart is no surprise, but seeing his name there in a post 2010 list shows just how good he really was.

The 2003 Footballer of the Year was in apparent wind-down mode at this stage, but 2.73 points per game from play over 30 appearances is some going.

Unlike many others in the list, his goals has dried up a bit at this stage with just four – but he brought so much to the team in tricky times before stepping away.

Con O’Callaghan (Dublin) – 2.64

ONE of the current players in the list, O’Callaghan’s focus is currently on Cuala duties in Leinster but there should always be time to praise his Dublin achievements.

For many, the best player in Ireland currently and no doubt if assists were tallied up he would be well up the list too.

He’s plundered 27 goals in 85 appearances, one of the best returns on the list, and is just a machine on the edge of the square.

Paddy Bradley (Derry) – 2.64

DERRY weren’t always at the top when Paddy Bradley was in his pomp, but you could always rely on the Glenullin man for points and goals.

Like McDonnell, he didn’t have too many appearances post 2010 – 29 in all – but he still hit 6-58 from play in that time.

Never got his Ulster medal but few deserved it more. His individual brilliance did result in an All-Star in 2007 and a further four nominations – all of which were before 2010 mind you.

Shane McGuigan (Derry) – 2.56

A SECOND Derry man on the list and unlike Bradley, Shane McGuigan has managed to win that Ulster title, and a second one the following season.

McGuigan’s free-taking is pretty well renowned at this stage, but he is always good for a few scores from play too – 2.56 over 81 appearances to be exact.

Even when things didn’t go too well for Derry this year, McGuigan didn’t hide.

David Geaney (Kerry) – 2.55

AN unfamiliar name for many, but Geaney made 11 appearances in his short Kerry career so therefore he is included here.

Those 11 appearances resulted in 2-22, a great return, and he was one of their leading lights in the early part of the 2011 series.

In fact, he scored 0-4 in three league games that season – against Cork, Mayo and Monaghan.

Paul Barden (Longford) – 2.52

PAUL Barden made 42 appearances during this time and put 13-67 in the bank.

More impressive given he played in a side at the lower end of the scale or less impressive because Longford would play teams of a lower quality?

Hard not to edge towards the former and Barden deserves immense credit for what he produced.

In 2020 the Irish Independent ran a poll to find Longford’s best player of the last 50 years and it was Barden who came out on top.

Keith Beirne (Leitrim) – 2.49

KEITH Beirne’s talent is no secret to anyone who has watched Leitrim over recent seasons and when he isn’t available, the side certainly suffer.

Averaged just over a goal every four games and wasn’t shy in raising white flags either, Beirne kicked some spectacular scores.

Opted out in 2024 but didn’t announce his retirement from the inter-county game. Leitrim will be hoping it’s a temporary exit.

Shane Lennon (Louth) – 2.46

SHANE Lennon was a real fan favourite in the Wee County and while he was fond of the spectacular, he was reliable too.

Twelve goals from play in 41 games is an excellent showing and he enjoyed a bit of success in red and white, although that Leinster title still eluded him.

FOR FURTHER STATS, CHECK OUT @THENUMBERSGAEL ON X