All-Ireland champions Kerry have picked up eight All-Stars on the on the PwC Football All-Stars 2025 team, with beaten finalists Donegal claiming four.
It's Kerry’s greatest haul since the 1981 season when they picked up nine awards and takes their overall tally to 156.
In winning a sixth award, Footballer of the Year nominee David Clifford moves level with Stephen Cluxton and Ciarán Kilkenny (both Dublin), Jack O’Shea and Ger Power (both Kerry) and Peter Canavan (Tyrone).
Donegal’s Michael Murphy wins a fourth award, this one coming 13 years after his first back in 2012.
Outside the two finalists, the other three spots are filled by Armagh's Oísin Conaty, receiving his second award in two seasons, Louth attacking star Sam Mulroy and Meath defender Séan Rafferty – the Royal County’s first All-Star since Stephen Bray in 2007.
It’s the second year in a row that a football semi-finalist has failed to pick up a spot on the team, Tyrone missing out like Kerry did last year.
The selection includes 13 of the 15 named in The Sunday Game’s team of the year - Tyrone’s Kieran McGeary and Donegal’s Conor O’Donnell are replaced by Donegal's Finnbarr Roarty and Mulroy in the official XV.
The All-Stars ceremony is being broadcast live from the RDS in Dublin on RTÉ One and the RTÉ Player.
The hurling team was announced on Thursday morning, with All-Ireland winners Tipperary receiving seven awards.
Goalkeeper
Shane Ryan (Kerry)
In a year of uncertainty for goalkeepers, given the intrusion of the Football Review Committee, the Rathmore man remained as reliable to pick up a second All-Star.
Ryan conceded just four goals in eight championship games – he didn’t play in the Munster final win over Clare – and his kick-outs were excellent.
There was one malfunction, with Dylan Casey presented Armagh with what seemed a crucial goal in the All-Ireland quarter-final, but 10 seconds later he had play restarted with Seán O’Shea pointing at the other end, just 28 seconds after the Orchard goal.
A good early stop from Tyrone’s Darren McCurry in the semi-final and his kick-out gave Kerry a fine platform in the final, with his restarts off both feet opening up so many options.
Full-back line
Brendan McCole (Donegal)
One of Jim McGuinness' most trusted lieutenants, and for the New York-born defender that usually meant the main man-marking responsibilities.
Performed those duties expertly throughout the entire season, starting as he meant to go on by keeping Derry ace Shane McGuigan quiet in their Ulster opener. He enjoyed a big provincial final, shutting down Armagh threat Andrew Murnin and playing a part in Ciarán Moore’s goal.
Struggled on David Clifford in the final but then again, who could have contained the Kerry man when he was in such form?
Jason Foley (Kerry)
Another Kerry player picking up a second All-Star, Jason Foley has emerged as one of the key players in Jack O’Connor’s side.
A talented athlete in his younger days – he represented Ireland on the track in 2013 and '14 - Foley's bursts out of defence have helped punish teams when they were turned over in the Kingdom defensive quagmire.
Man-marking abilities were also clear to be seen in the run in, he performed well on Armagh’s Rian O’Neill and Tyrone’s Darren McCurry, while also handling Donegal’s Michael Murphy fairly well in the final.
Often described as Kerry’s most under-rated defender, it’s hard to see that tag sticking much longer.
Séan Rafferty (Meath)
A real breakout season for the Na Fianna man, who delivered a series of commanding performances defending his own square.
In a county famed for fantastic full-backs – Jack Quinn, Mick Lyons and Darren Fay to name a few – Rafferty sent Royal fans into raptures with a thunderous hit on Galway's John Maher as they qualified for a first All-Ireland semi-final since 2009.
Came up against some of the game’s top forwards such as David Clifford, Shane Walsh and Con O’Callaghan and came through those battles with real credit.
A late developer, the 25-year-old didn’t play underage for Meath and was only called into the senior squad in 2024.
Half-back line
Brian Ó Beaglaoich (Kerry)
Unlucky to miss out on an award in the past, especially in 2024, Brian Ó Beaglaoich finally gets the nod at the fourth time of asking.
Excelled last year under the old rules and was even better under the new enhancementes as his piercing runs caused panic in opposition defences.
The team's chief line-breaker, his absence was sorely felt in Kerry's round-robin loss to Meath, but he played a key role as they recovered in the weeks that followed.
The Gaeltacht player was a constant bundle of energy, and when those legs started pumping, few could keep up.
Gavin White (Kerry)
His first year as Kerry captain went to plan as he picked up all available silverware, most importantly, the Sam Maguire in July.
Stamped his authority inside 10 seconds of the All-Ireland final as he hurled himself into midfield to claim the first break of the game, darted forward and set up Dylan Geaney for the opening point.
He managed to keep his performance level high throughout, and claimed the player of the match award after a scintillating display.
His electric bursts caused Armagh all sorts of bother in the quarter-final and while he was a bit quieter in the semi-final win over Tyrone, he produced the goods on the biggest day of all.
Like a number of Kingdom players on the 15, is picking up his second award, having been previously honoured in 2022.
Finnbarr Roarty (Donegal)
Finnbarr Roarty’s Donegal career started in controversial fashion, playing a McKenna Cup game last year when still 17 and Jim McGuinness receiving an eight-week ban, that was eventually overturned, as a result.
In 2025, the country got to witness why Donegal were so keen to get him into the side as soon as possible. Roarty took the championship by storm and was arguably their best player en-route to the final and pitched in with 1-05 too.
That was copper-fastened by a player of the match award in the semi-final win over Meath where his energy levels helped suck the life out of the Meath challenge.
Like many from Donegal, didn't perform to the maximum in the final, but that owed more to Kerry's brilliance.
Caps off a memorable season by also claiming the Young Footballer of the Year award.
Midfield
Joe O’Connor (Kerry)
A Player of the Year nominee, Joe O’Connor was a sensation for Kerry in the middle of the park as they claimed Sam Maguire.
He looked destined for a career in rugby at one stage, but Kingdom fans will be delighted he diverted to Gaelic football, as he dominated aerially against some of the country’s most vaunted midfields.
Came to life in the second half of the All-Ireland quarter-final against Armagh as Kerry reignited their season and improved on that further against Tyrone, standing up when the Red Hands were on the charge.
Capped off his All-Star season with a cherry-on-top goal at the death against Donegal in the final.
Michael Langan (Donegal)
The languid St Michael’s man collects his first award, having been previously nominated in 2020 and 2024 – and his inclusion will not be a surprise to anyone.
Scored 1-25 across the championship, including four two-pointers, and while plenty of Donegal fans would like to see him played further forward, his effectiveness in his current role can’t be questioned.
When Donegal were in serious bother against Monaghan in the All-Ireland quarter-final, he took the game by the scruff of the neck and kicked 1-03 in the second half as Jim McGuinness’ side rallied.
His club’s first All-Star since Colm McFadden in 2012.
Half-forward line
Paudie Clifford (Kerry)
Jim McGuinness’ tactical know-how is legendary, but his decision to allow Paudie Clifford free reign in the All-Ireland final probably still keeps him up at night.
Around the edges of the arc, the older Clifford brother had a scarcely believable 76 possessions, scored three points and assisted six more. With those 76 possessions, he didn’t give the ball away once.
Injury had hampered his season, but he showed up in the second half against Tyrone and seemed driven on by the anger of his side being labelled a 'one-man team' - even if it was his brother people were referring to.
He picks up a fourth All-Star in five seasons.
Seán O’Shea (Kerry)
All but banked his All-Star in the quarter-final as he haunted Armagh, kicking 12 points from just nine shots in a performance laced with anger and determination amidst claims from within that the Kingdom were done.
It was a simply stunning display and while reaching the same heights again was near impossible, put in a good showing against Tyrone in the semi-final and then stepped it up again with another excellent display in the final.
The Kenmare man moves alongside Kerry royalty in Darragh Ó Sé with his fourth award and, just a few minutes before him, Paudie Clifford also moving to that tally.
Hit 1-50 in eight championship games and really took advantage of the new two-point rule. Finished the night as a three-time Footballer of the Year.
Oisín Conaty (Armagh)
With 40 minutes gone in the 2024 All-Ireland quarter-final and Armagh leading Kerry by five points, Oisín Conaty was probably in pole position for the 2025 Player of the Year gong.
The following half hour changed the championship in a number of ways, with the holders crushed, and as a result Conaty has to make do with a second successive All-Star award and a Young Player of the Year nomination.
Scored six points in that loss to the Kingdom and managed the same in the Ulster final loss to Donegal.
Even in defeat, he was magnificent and Kieran McGeeney’s decision to talk him away from a soccer career has already paid off handsomely.
Full-forward line
David Clifford (Kerry)
On the night he was crowned a three-time Footballer of the Year, David Clifford’s standing in the greatest of all-time argument takes another significant step forward as he claims a sixth All-Star at the age of 26.
Of the footballers above him, Pat Spillane (9) also won his sixth at 26, Colm Cooper (7) won his sixth at 27 and Mikey Sheehy (7) won his sixth at 30 – so he’s in good shape.
Didn’t touch the ball in the first nine minutes of the All-Ireland final but went on to deliver a simply astonishing attacking display that included three orange flags.
Still only has two Celtic Crosses to his name, but Kerry’s future looks extremely bright with such a talent at their disposal.
Michael Murphy (Donegal)
His decision to swap the commentary box for a return to Donegal action almost had the fairy-tale ending as the Tir Chonaill County made it all the way to the All-Ireland final, but Kerry had other ideas.
There is an individual honour for the big Glenswilly forward though, who wins a fourth award to go with previous successes in 2012, 2014 and 2019. He now draws level with Karl Lacey, who also won four All-Stars with Donegal.
The Footballer of the Year nominee was the third top scorer in the championship and had a hand in so many more with exquisite handling and aerial dominance.
Nothing confirmed yet, but 36-year-old Murphy is expected to be back again in 2026 for Donegal.
Sam Mulroy (Louth)
One of the best forwards in Ireland, Sam Mulroy finally gets his reward after driving Louth to a first Leinster title since 1957.
That was very evident on that famous day at Croke Park as he landed six of Louth’s last eight points in the two-point victory over Meath.
One of the best dead-ball strikers in the game, the Naomh Máirtín player has so much more to his game – with no shortage of industry in there too.
Scored four goals in the championship, with only Kerry’s David Clifford (8) and Galway’s Matthew Tierney (6) managing more.
Watch the PWC All-Star Awards on Friday on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport
