Newbridge: With plenty of emerging stars, Newbridge are not short of talent, but Conor McAteer is a leader in every sense of the word with five points in the county final highlighting his class.
Dunloy: Their free-flowing style has won plenty of admirers in Antrim and the birth of the two-pointer has been embraced by the Cuchullains with Seaan Elliott epitomising their play with direct running, an eye for goal and ability to sling over from deep.
Kingscourt Stars: Jordan Morris feared his season was over in spring, but returned to play a starring role for Meath in the summer and then continued with his native Kingscourt throughout the Cavan championship and will be a headache for any defence he comes up against.
Erne Gaels: At one stage, Ultan Kelm was eyeing up a move to the AFL but Erne Gaels will be delighted he hung around as he was central to their county success. The Fermanagh ace bagged 1-3 in the final replay and had led by example throughout the campaign.
Loughmacrory: They will consider every member of the panel as a hero in Loughmacrory, but in Eoin McElholm, they have an undoubted star. The U20 Football of the Year has undoubted talent, but also the temperament to match and will be a central figure for his club in Ulster.
Kilcoo: Perhaps the collective is Kilcoo’s biggest strength but in Miceal Rooney, they have a top-class operator who is not only a fine defender, but one with the ability to attack and take a score.
Scotstown: It probably comes as no surprise but Rory Beggan continues to be one of the most complete footballers. Despite lining out behind the posts, his restarts are crucial and ability to get forward for scores. It’s an obvious choice but one that is hard to argue with.
Naomh Conaill: At the beginning of 2025, Finbarr Roarty was viewed as a talent, but by the time Naomh Conaill had claimed the Donegal title, he was a central figure for county and club – a sticky defender who will be assigned to nullify the opposition’s main threat.
Madden: With a man-of-the-match display in the Armagh final, Darragh McMullen highlighted his attacking prowess from open play and dead ball, but his ability to bring others into play is also a key feature.
