Kerry reign supreme as Clifford rules the PwC All-Star Football Kingdom and McGrath is Premier Hurler

Kerry’s status as the Kingdom of Gaelic football was embellished tonight as the All-Ireland, Munster and League champions dominated the PwC All-Stars with eight slots on the team for 2025, and their talisman David Clifford captured a third PwC GAA-GPA Footballer of the Year Award in his stellar career.

Tipperary’s All-Ireland hurling final hero John McGrath was voted as PwC GAA-GPA Hurler of the Year in recognition of his stunning season for the Premier, which was crowned by his unforgettable two goal blast in the All-Ireland final that stunned the Rebels and made the Loughmore-Castleiney forward an All-Star certainty.

Donegal’s teenage star Finnbarr Roarty was voted PwC GAA-GPA Young Footballer of the Year. The 19-year-old Naomh Conaill ace also becomes one of the youngest-ever All-Star award winners, joining exclusive company such as Clifford when he was at the beginning of his senior service, and Colm Cooper who was also 19 for his first. Derry legend Dermot McNicholl was honoured for his Oak Leaf displays as an 18-year-old on the 1984 team, Kerry’s Maurice Fitzgerald was 18 when he was first honoured in 1988, and Jimmy Barry-Murphy, who was 19 in 1973.

There was also a brilliant finish to Darragh McCarthy’s action-packed debut season after the 19-year-old followed up on his brilliant displays in the Tipperary attack by being voted by his peers as the PwC GAA-GPA Young Hurler of the Year and bringing the award back to Toomevara.

After sweeping the boards on the field, Kerry have the lion’s share of the PwC All-Star spoils. Goalkeeper Shane Ryan was an automatic for the assured contribution he gave from shot stopping to restarts.

Brendan McCole is a first-time All-Star at corner back and writes another impressive chapter in the career of a young player who grew up initially in New York. Full back Jason Foley is Mr Dependable for Kerry and collects a second award. Completing the line is Meath’s Seán Rafferty who was a rock for the Royals in their great run to the All-Ireland semi-final and is Meath’s first All-Star since Stephen Bray in 2007.

Kerry’s tenacious wing-back Brian Ó Beaglaoich wins his first All-Star to go with the second All-Ireland medal he won this year. Beside him, the rampaging Gavin White was another automatic selection after his great season, and the line is completed by teenager Finnbarr Roarty.

Joe O’Connor was central to Kerry’s return to form and their run to the Sam Maguire and was a player of the year contender. Partnering him is Donegal dynamo Michael Langan – a midfielder who was involved in all their best work in their march to Ulster glory and the All-Ireland final.

Paudie Clifford did not play every minute of Kerry’s season, but every minute he played mattered, and his work rate and creativity are recognised here in what is his fourth award. Centre forward Seán O’Shea was another big game player for Kerry when the need was greatest and is another four timer. Armagh’s Oisín Conaty is the Orchard’s only representative but wins back-to-back All-Stars for his attacking exploits.

David Clifford is now a six-time All-Star at just 26 years of age. The Fossa favourite marked his first game of 2025 with a hat trick of goals against Tyrone in the league and was unmarkable once Kerry got back to Croke Park and finished with an unrivalled 8-62 in Championship. His third Player of the Year award moves him out on his own in terms of modern-day heroes, with Kerry legend and four-time Footballer of the Year Jack O’Shea now arguably in his sights, and quite possibly the nine All-Stars won by Pat Spillane in his Kerry career.

Michael Murphy, the Man Who Came Back, marked his sensational return from retirement with an All-Star and a footballer of the year nomination, after the 36-year-old won Ulster and was Donegal’s top scorer with 0-52. He is also now a four-time All-Star.

Last but certainly not least, top of the left is a landmark first all-star for Louth’s Sam Mulroy, a pivotal figure from play and frees for the Wee County, and who he expertly captained to a first Leinster senior title in 68 years last summer.

A meeting of GAA correspondents from across print, tv, radio and digital media, chaired by Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns, voted on the final 15. The breakdown is Kerry eight, Donegal four and one each for Armagh, Meath and Louth. The PwC All-Stars, a GAA scheme which dates back to 1971, were presented at a gala black-tie event at Dublin’s RDS, shown live on RTÉ.

Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “After a season where Gaelic football came back with a bang, we have a PwC All-Star football team of players who truly were the best of the best. It was as difficult a team to pick as there has ever been such was the level of competition that returned to our game, and this embellishes the honour that has been claimed by our most worthy 2025 recipients. Congratulations to you all and to the clubs and communities who will also share in your proud success.

“It is an extra special night for those players who have been chosen as our overall players of the year – an accolade which carries the weight and significance of having been chosen directly by your peers. David Clifford and John McGrath left their mark on our biggest days and were as inspirational as they were influential. Younger, but no less impressive, Finnbarr and Darragh had seasons to remember and put down a marker for what is yet to come. Our thanks to PwC and the GPA for their partnership of what remains the biggest and the best awards scheme in Irish sport.”

Gaelic Players’ Association CEO, Tom Parsons, said: “As Sam Maguire winners as well as being league and Munster champions, it is no surprise to see this fine Kerry team leading the way with eight PwC All-Stars in 2025. It caps off a memorable year for the Kingdom and to those players and all of the other winners, congratulations. Becoming a PwC All-Star is a moment to be very proud of.

“David Clifford creates a piece of history tonight as he is named PwC GAA GPA Footballer of the Year for the third time. It is recognition of his consistent excellence and who’s the say there won’t be more in the future. As John McGrath is named PwC GAA GPA Hurler of the Year, he reminds us of that vital attribute that elite players require – resilience. He left indifferent form and injury in recent seasons behind and catapulted himself to the top, becoming the best of the best in 2025. Congratulations to you both. Congratulations also to Darragh and Finnbarr on being recognised as the PwC GAA GPA Young Players of the Year. It marks a significant milestone on your journey as senior inter-county players.”

Enda McDonagh, Managing Partner, PwC Ireland, said: "We're excited to celebrate the incredible talent of the 2025 PwC All-Star Football Team. Being named one of the top 15 players in the country is a remarkable achievement that reflects your outstanding contributions this season.

“We also congratulate David and John, the recipients of the PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Year awards for football and hurling. Standing out among all others is truly a testament to an outstanding season. Additionally, congratulations to Finnbarr and Darragh, the winners of the PwC GAA/GPA Young Player of the Year awards in football and hurling.”

PwC All-Stars Football 2025 (previous winning years in brackets)

1. Shane Ryan (Kerry) (2022)
2. Brendan McCole (Donegal)
3. Jason Foley (Kerry) (2022)
4. Seán Rafferty (Meath)
5. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (Kerry)
6. Gavin White (Kerry) (2022)
7. Finnbarr Roarty (Donegal)
8. Joe O’Connor (Kerry)
9. Michael Langan (Donegal)
10. Paudie Clifford (Kerry) (2021, 2023, 2024)
11. Seán O’Shea (Kerry) (2019, 2022, 2023)
12. Oisín Conaty (Armagh) (2024)
13. David Clifford (Kerry) (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)
14. Michael Murphy (Donegal) (2012, 2014, 2019)
15. Sam Mulroy (Louth)

PwC GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year

David Clifford (Fossa, Kerry)

PwC GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year

Finnbarr Roarty (Naomh Conaill, Donegal)

PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year

John McGrath (Loughmore-Castleiney, Tipperary)

PwC GAA/GPA Young Hurler of the Year

Darragh McCarthy (Toomevara, Tipperary)