The senior club championship came to a close on Sunday, and as the dust settles on a fantastic season, we take a look back at some of the standout stars in 2024/25.
This is the last year that the 'old' rules will be in place, so we might never see football like this again as the Football Rules Committee have reshaped the game, hopefully for the better - although the players in this team can excel in any set of rules.
Naturally Errigal Ciaran and Cuala stars have made up the bulk of the team, but there were a few players who could not be ignored for their performances this season.
(nb: this team was picked before Sunday's final)
1. Keelan Harte (Strandhill)
A fantastic goalkeeper with excellent kick outs, shot stopping ability, and can pop over a score himself when needed.
2. Tadhg McDonnell (Ardee)
Sticky, tenacious, fast, and a constant threat when bombing forward. Tadhg McDonnell combines the old school defending along with the attacking prowess of the modern corner back.
3. Mick Fitzsimons (Cuala)
The joint most decorated county player in history has been phenomenal for his club this season, and after years of heartache in a Cuala jersey, he is rightly soaking up all of the success that they are enjoying now.
4. Cormac Quinn (Errigal)
Cormac Quinn missed most of Tyrone's season last year through injury, and when you look back on it, he was a bigger loss than people realised. His first real start back was against Killyclogher, where he had to nullify the flying Mark Bradley, and despite his lack of football, did a fantastic job, which he has continued to do throughout the season.
5. Peter Og McCartan (Errigal)
Not many people outside of Tyrone would have heard of Peter Og McCartan, but now every Gael in the country knows him as the ultimate clutch player who takes responsibility when his team need him most. An absolute hero for the men in white and blue.
6. Charlie McMorrow (Cuala)
If the Callaghans run the show up front for Cuala, then Charlie McMorrow runs it from the back, as he dictates everything in defence, joins the attack when needed, and controls the tempo of the game.
7. Miceal Rooney (Kilcoo)
Read any match report from any Kilcoo game this season and the name 'Miceal Rooney' will be used several times because he is involved with absolutely everything that is good about the Down champions.
8. Ben McDonnell (Errigal)
Known as an industrious midfielder, Ben McDonnell has shown that he has a bit of flair about him too, scoring two late points to steal a victory against St Eunan's in the first round of Ulster, setting up the equalising score in the Ulster final with a lovely creative pass despite being on the ground, and adding to the scoreboard in nearly every game to keep the pressure off the Canavans.
9. Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne (Cuala)
A midfielder who dominates the air, and eats up every bit of ground that is in front of him with marauding runs, Pear O Cofaigh Byrne has been instrumental to Cuala's success this season.
10. Micheal Burns (Dr Crokes)
Cut from the Kerry panel by Jack O'Connor, the county manager will surely be making an apologetic phone call following Michael Burns fantastic performances for Dr Crokes this season - he has been sensational.
11. Ruairi Canavan (Errigal)
Just the nine points in the Ulster semi-final against Clan Eireann, and his performance against Dr Crokes in the All-Ireland semi was very much like watching a genius at work.
12. Niall O'Callaghan (Cuala)
People outside of Leinster maybe didn't know that Con O'Callaghan even had a brother, but they certainly do now, as Niall has been prolific in front of goal for the provincial champions, and has been one of the most dangerous forwards in the country this season.
13. Darragh Canavan (Errigal)
There isn't enough superlatives in the dictionary to describe this man when he is in full flow, but Darragh Canavan has been a genuine joy to watch, a pure football in the truest sense of the word.
14. Con O'Callaghan (Cuala)
Con O'Callaghan could be the most decorated GAA player of all time after this weekend as the bombing full forward has won six All-Irelands at county level, two hurling All-Irelands at club level, and now he wants to add a club football All-Irealnd to that ridiculous list of accolades. O'Callaghan has been so dominant in the GAA, that his name is becoming synonymous with the word 'All-Ireland.'
15. Niall Murphy (Strandhill)
Sligo legend, club legend, football legend - Niall Murphy is the gift that keeps on giving in Connacht, and his performances this season have been incredible, but not surprising, as the sharp shooter has always produced on a consistent basis.
