Donegal lead the way with 10 All-Star nominations, Kerry duo on FOTY list
Kerry's David Clifford and his son Ogie celebrate with the Sam Maguire Cup. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile
All-Ireland champions Kerry are represented with nine PwC All-Star nominations, while beaten finalists Donegal lead the way with ten.
The National League, Munster, and All-Ireland title holders also have two Footballer of the Year nominations in David Clifford and Joe O’Connor.
Donegal star Michael Murphy is also shortlisted for the main individual award.
Murphy and O’Connor would be first-time winners, while Clifford is in line for a remarkable third Footballer of the Year crown.
The Fossa man was the top scorer in the championship, including 8-48 from play.
Jack O’Connor’s side are represented by goalkeeper Shane Ryan and four of their defenders: Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Jason Foley, Gavin White and Mike Breen. O’Connor and Clifford are joined by Paudie Clifford and Sean O’Shea in their cohort.
It is the first time since 2016 that the winners have not topped the nominations. That year, Dublin and Mayo received 11 each.
Ulster champions Donegal played a record 11 championship games in 2025. Goalkeeper Shaun Patton did not make the three with Monaghan’s Rory Beggan and Armagh’s Ethan Rafferty taking his place.
Five of their six defenders are recognised as well as midfielder Michael Langan. Murphy is joined in the forward list by Shane O’Donnell, Conor O’Donnell and Ciaran Thompson.
After a campaign that saw them defeat Dublin, Kerry and Galway, Meath’s reward is a collection of five.
Sean Rafferty, Ciaran Caulfield, Jordan Morris, Ruairi Kinsella and Matthew Costello are listed, while Caulfield can consider himself unlucky to miss out on a Young Footballer of the Year nomination. Donegal’s Roarty and Galway’s Matthew Thompson edged him out.
Two from the Connacht champions, clubmates John Maher and Robert Finnerty, will be hoping for a second successive award. 2024 victors Armagh are represented by five players. Goalkeeper Ethan Rafferty has been nominated for a second time.
Jarly Óg Burns, Ross McQuillan and Rory Grugan are in contention for their first-ever All-Star while Oisín Conaty is hoping for a second successive award as well as back-to-back Young Footballer of the Year gongs.
All-Ireland semi-finalists Tyrone have just two nominations, defenders Niall Devlin and Kieran McGeary. Darragh Canavan and Darren McCurry would both have been contenders for a spot in the 18 forwards.
Dublin have just two nominees, two less than they had in 2024. Of last season’s All-Star winners, only five are in line to retain their award.
Louth’s Craig Lennon is in the running once more after his side won their first Leinster title in 68 years. He is joined by two team-mates: Ryan Burns and Sam Mulroy.
After strong seasons, Down’s Odhran Murdock, Derry’s Conor Glass and Mayo’s Jack Coyne are their counties’ sole representatives.
The PwC All-Stars will be announced on Friday, November 7 at Dublin’s RDS.
Shane Ryan (Kerry); Rory Beggan (Monaghan); Ethan Rafferty (Armagh).
Brendan McCole, Finnbarr Roarty, Peadar Mogan, Ciaran Moore, Ryan McHugh (all Donegal); Brian Ó Beaglaoich, Jason Foley, Gavin White, Mike Breen (all Kerry); Sean Rafferty, Ciaran Caulfield (both Meath); Niall Devlin, Kieran McGeary (both Tyrone); Ross McQuillan, Jarly Óg Burns (both Armagh); Craig Lennon (Louth); Jack Coyne (Mayo); Dessie Ward (Monaghan).
Micheal Langan (Donegal); Joe O’Connor (Kerry); Conor Glass (Derry); John Maher (Galway); Odhran Murdock (Down); Peadar Ó Cofaigh Byrne (Dublin).
Conor O’Donnell, Shane O’Donnell, Michael Murphy, Ciaran Thompson (all Donegal); David Clifford, Paudie Clifford, Sean O’Shea (all Kerry); Sam Mulroy, Ryan Burns (both Louth); Matthew Costello, Ruairi Kinsella, Jordan Morris (all Meath), Michael Bannigan (Monaghan), Oisin Conaty, Rory Grugan (both Armagh); Robert Finnerty, Matthew Thompson (both Galway); Ciaran Kilkenny (Dublin).
Donegal 10; Kerry 9; Meath 5; Armagh 5; Galway 3; Monaghan 3; Louth 3; Dublin 2; Tyrone 2; Down 1; Mayo 1; Derry 1.
David Clifford, Joe O’Connor (both Kerry); Michael Murphy (Donegal).
Oisin Conaty (Armagh); Matthew Thompson (Galway); Finnbarr Roarty (Donegal).
