David Clifford the Player of the Year as Kerry dominate Team of the Year selection
You could tell something was brewing when they ripped last year's All-Ireland champions Armagh to shreds in a dominant 15 minute period at the quarter-final stage, after emerging from the long grass of another Munster title and a surprise defeat to Meath in the All-Ireland group stages.
Then, in the semis, they upped the ante after the break to make a break for the decider, but it was their performance today which was arguably the most impressive of the lot.
Jack O'Connor had spoken of his desire for, "a good, steady, even performance" but this was so much more than that. They were well on top from the first minute, with Dylan Geaney opening the scoring inside 15 seconds. David Clifford contributed seven points in the first half, including three two-pointers.
Donegal threatened to put up a comeback when they cut the gap to four but the Munster men had the answers with the late goal from Joe O'Connor meaning they ended up winning both halves - worthy winners.
Kerry top the list with eight players, with beaten finallists Donegal managing four - Meath, Tyrone and Armagh complete the 15, with no player from Connacht making the cut in a year when the province failed to provide an All-Ireland semi-finalist.
Shane Ryan (Kerry)
An excellent distributor of the ball who has an ability to get the ball away with some haste, which helped Kerry with some big scores over the summer.
A superb shot stopper as well, he never conceded a goal across the entire run to the Sam Maguire. Managed 0-04 points during the summer although ended the All-Ireland final with a score, missing a few frees.
Seán Rafferty (Meath)
Only made his championship debut for Meath against Carlow in April this year but was a solid presence throughout their campaign. Often took the tough marking job on David Clifford, Shane Walsh and Michael Murphy.
He was off the field when Meath conceded 2-03 against Galway.
Jason Foley (Kerry)
A tall, strong full back with bags of pace. Started every championship game on Kerry's run to the Sam Maguire.
Kept Michael Murphy to two points from play in this afternoon's final.
Brendan McCole (Donegal)
The New York born defender was Donegal's main man marker during the year, doing a particularly impressive jobs on Derry's Shane McGuigan and on Jordan Morris in the semi-final victory over Meath.
As most mortals do, found David Clifford too hot to handle in the decider but overall, a very impressive year for the 27-year-old.
Brian Ó Beaglaoich (Kerry)
A brilliant defender but so dangerous going forward with the pace that he has.
A standout player in a line that launches so much of Kerry's most important moves.
Gavin White (Kerry)
His tenth season with the Kingdom, and his third as captain, but this one surely tops the lot as he got to climb the steps of the Hogan Stand on All-Ireland final day after disappointment in 2019 and last year.
An inspirational All-Ireland final performance as he scored 0-03 and set up other scores throughout the game as an attacking wing-back.
Kieran McGeary (Tyrone)
Tyrone's sole representative in the selection, Kieran McGeary showed his ability with an early two-pointer as Tyrone saw off Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-final.
Joe O'Connor (Kerry)
Not long after Kerry's last All-Ireland in 2022, O'Connor did his ACL playing a club game for Austin Stacks and he was off the field for 15 months.
Since his return at the start of 2024, he's started all 15 of Kerry's Championship games and all but two of their league games in that period. It's an incredible record but reflects the form he has managed in midfield.
Showed his ability to win the ball and carry it early in today's final and was a consistent thorn in Donegal's side with his incisive runs. Capped it all off with the last score of the day, a goal into the Hill 16 End.
Michael Langan (Donegal)
The super experienced midfielder made his Donegal debut in 2017. He's a majestic fielder of the ball and covers plenty of ground in the middle third of the field. Nominated for an All-Star last year and continued where he left off with some big performances this year.
His goal against Monaghan helped the Tír Chonaill men turned around a seven-point half-time deficit.
Seán O'Shea (Kerry)
Kicked 12 points against from nine shots against Armagh when the Orchard decided to go after David Clifford.
Such a consistent play maker in the Kerry team. Managed a point from play in the final as well as kicking two two-pointers from place balls.
Paudie Clifford (Kerry)
Injury kept Clifford out of the team until later in the year but he emerged at half-time in the quarter-final dethroning of Armagh, hitting two points.
Started the semi final win over Tyrone and hit another two points before managing three this afternoon. An orchestrator of a lot of what Kerry do well.
Oisín Conaty (Armagh)
The only player included who didn't play for a team that won anything this year.
It should tell you something about how impressive the Armagh attacker was as their All-Ireland defence fell short.
A very talented soccer player in his younger years, he managed six points from play in the Ulster final loss to Donegal.
David Clifford (Kerry)
The greatest footballer of his generation and he delivered once again in the biggest game in the sport.
Coming into today, the Fossa man had already hit 8-53 in his eight championship games. He added seven points in the first half, including three two-pointers, before another two from play down the home stretch.
Clifford is the attacker of his generation (Galway and Dublin fans might have something to say), consistently tormenting opposition defences. When he fires, Kerry tend to win, and that was the case once in 2025.
Michael Murphy (Donegal)
Came back to win a second Celtic Cross but came up just short. One of just two players who has played in every Donegal v Kerry championship game, stretching back to a quarter-final win back in 2012.
A talismanic figure looking to pull off one of the greatest comebacks having made himself available after two seasons out.
Got special mention from the Uachtarán Jarlath Burns in his speech before handing over the Sam Maguire, calling him "the best player ever to come from" Donegal.
Conor O'Donnell (Donegal)
A dangerous attacker who was always worth a few scores for Donegal.
He hit 1-03 in the All-Ireland semi-final victory over Meath and on a more difficult afternoon in the final, he was their top scorer from play with four points - two in each half.
Gavin White (Kerry)
A massive All-Ireland final performance from the very first minute, as he burst through and fed Geaney for the opening score, setting the tone for a golden afternoon for Kerry.
He added a score himself shortly afterwards and would have three before the afternoon was out.
Repeated his support role early in the second half to set up Seán O'Shea and he was consistent danger throughout with his powerful running.
SUNDAY GAME FOOTBALLER OF THE YEAR
David Clifford (Kerry)
What more can be said about the Fossa man? He ends the season with 8-62 from nine games as the greatest player of his generation continues to perform when its most needed.
He hit seven in the first half this afternoon including a two-pointer after the buzzer which his manager picked out as a critical score in the game.
Earlier in the campaign, he was heavily marked against Armagh but still ended up with seven points, and had his best scoring contribution of the year in the semi-final victory over Tyrone when he managed 1-09.
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