The Best Current Gaelic Footballer From Every County In Ireland

Every county has the one. The footballer opponents must plan around, supporters look to, and the one their results often hinge upon.

Picking the best currently playing Gaelic footballer from every county is still an impossible task, but that doesn’t make it any less compelling. From All-Ireland contenders to counties fighting for traction, this is our attempt to name the standout active footballer each active footballing county can point to in the present tense. Feel free to let us know how many we got wrong.

Antrim – Paddy McBride

McBride made his debut for Antrim in 2012 and continues to perform excellently for the Saffron County. His man-of-the-match performance against Armagh in the 2025 Ulster championship showcased his ability to play at the highest level.

Armagh – Rian O’Neill

Rian O’Neill is one of those mercurial players who possesses talents the regular football could only dream of. His ball-striking ability from the hand and the ground are a sight to behold and if Armagh are to reclaim Sam Maguire in 2026, the Crossmaglen man will be key.

Carlow – Mikey Bambrick

Having spent previous seasons in the full-back line Mikey Bambrick has made his home further out the field for Carlow. Bambrick’s pace and power make him a nightmare for defenders. His ability to break the line and burst through for goals is invaluable for Carlow.

Cavan – Padraig Faulkner

The Kingscourt Stars man has been a colossal player for Cavan over the past decade. An All-Star and an Ulster medal in 2020 was the highlight but his continued ability to marshal the Cavan defence from full-back and pop forward for important scores has always caught the eye. Honourable mention for James Smith and Darragh McVeety.

Clare – Emmett McMahon

Emmett McMahon has shown an ability to perform at the highest level in Sigerson football with UL and with Clare. His long-range kicking is a massive weapon along with his ability to compete in the air. An ACL injury cut his 2025 season short but he’ll be very important for Clare once he returns.

Cork – Chris Óg Jones

Chris Óg Jones is a bit of a throwback to previous days. A really direct corner forward with an eye for goal and bags of pace. He never gives a corner back a moments peace and loves to take his man on. The kind of forward who was suffocated for years by blanket defences and now is reaping the rewards in the new rules. Honourable mention for Brian Hurley.

Derry – Conor Glass

Derry had a poor year but the performances of Conor Glass were breath-taking at times. His ability to influence the game in every facet, be it tackling, fielding or scoring shows the talent he possess. His performance against Galway in this year’s group stages was a masterclass in modern midfield play. Honoruable mention for Slaughtneil’s Shane McGuigan.

Donegal – Michael Langan

Maybe a left-field choice but Langan is another one of those modern midfielders that can just do a bit of everything. His performance against Monaghan in the All-Ireland quarter-finals showed the kind of talent he possesses. An extremely impressive physical specimen with the footballing ability and balance of a much smaller man. Honoruable mentions for Michael Murphy and Shaun Patton.

Down – Odhran Murdock

Despite only being 22 years of age Odhran Murdock is one of the finest footballers in Ulster and one of Down’s most important men. His pace and power coupled with his ability to find a score are the kind of talents you can’t put a price on. Conor Laverty was desperate to get him into the senior team while he was playing U20 football and we can all see why. Despite reported AFL interest, his repeated commitment to Down is a big plus for Laverty.

Dublin – Con O’Callaghan

An every day Superman. Con O’Callaghan is just the type of person who is good at most things, seriously talented dual player, fluent Irish speaker and the ability to go by his first name only. Con has the ability to just blow defenders away and take the game from teams in a matter of moments. One of the current game’s greats.

Fermanagh – Ultan Kelm

The 26 year-old man from Beleek is an explosive player who has moved into the forward line having burst onto the scene as a pacy wing-back. His ability was recognised when AFL side Fremantle signed him to a contract but Covid and a hip injury prevented him from ever making it to Australia and he has continued to be a big force for Fermanagh and his club Erne Gaels.

Galway – Shane Walsh

A mercurial forward who is absolutely unmarkable on his day. The lesser spotted two-footed player, has the ability to take frees from the hand and the ground with either foot. Throws out more dummy solos than then every other player on this list combined, at times inconsistent but a glorious watch on his day.

Kerry – David Clifford

The easiest choice on the list, simply the best footballer in Ireland right now. David Clifford was the most talked about minor in a long time and has already delivered on the hype, yes he’ll want more than the two All-Ireland titles he currently holds but his six All-Stars and three Footballer of the Year awards show the ability the Fossa man possesses.

Kildare – Alex Beirne

Beirne was excellent for Kildare as they managed to secure Tailteann Cup glory in 2025. His ability to kick scores and make things happen in the half-forward line make him a huge asset for Kildare. His link-up play with Darragh Kirwan and others will be hugely important for Brian Flanagan’s men in 2026. Honourable mentions for Kevin Feely and Darragh Kirwan.

Laois – Patrick O’Sullivan

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Portarlington’s Paddy O’Sullivan is a really impressive footballer, an attacking wing-back who is a constant threat going forward and always ready to put his man on the back foot. O’Sullivan’s form was vital as his side Portarlington won another Laois county title in 2025.

Leitrim – Barry McNulty

Before he was even out of U20 Barry McNulty was a key player for the Leitrim senior team and the Glencar/Manorhamilton man has continued to grow since then. Captain of UCD’s Sigerson team for 2026 and continued strong performances for Stephen Poacher’s side show the ability he possesses. His man-of-the-match performance against Mayo in Connacht showed he can hang at the very highest level.

Limerick – James Naughton

James Naughton made national headlines when he registered the unbelievable tally of 4-12 for Limerick in one Division 4 game against Waterford. Naughton was excellent as Limerick went all the way to the Tailteann Cup final and while an ankle injury prevented him from showcasing his best that day, he will be vital to Limerick’s fortunes in 2026. Honourable mention for Peter Nash.

Longford – Dessie Reynolds

Longford had a frustrating year in 2025 but the performances of experienced player Dessie Reynolds proved key on multiple occasions. Reynolds has been an incredibly consistent performer in the half-forward line, half-back line or midfield for Longford since making the step up from U21 level and will be a key player as Longford look to get out of Division 4 in 2026.

Louth – Sam Mulroy

Sam Mulroy had a magical 2025, captained Louth to a first Leinster title since 1957 before securing an All-Star award recognising his own personal contribution to the ending of the drought. Mulroy played a key role in Louth’s provincial success, his long-range scoring will continue to be a huge asset for Louth heading into 2026. Honourable mention for Craig Lennon.

Mayo – Ryan O’Donoghue

For large parts of 2025 Mayo relied heavily on Ryan O’Donoghue to generate their scores. The Belmullet man often steps up and is one the most tigerish and direct forwards you’ll ever come across. His ability to jink and weave away from defenders makes him incredibly hard to pin down. The return of Cillian O’Connor and Tommy Conroy to the Mayo fold could help unlock another level for O’Donoghue.

Meath – Jordan Morris

Potentially the jinkiest forward in the game. Morris trots about on his tiptoes, dummy soloing to his heart’s content before flashing by a defender with a burst of pace that would leave most in his wake. His ability to create his own space and square up defenders makes him one of the trickiest assignments in the game. Honourable mention for Seán Rafferty.

Monaghan – Rory Beggan

Rory Beggan was already a star but the introduction of the 2 point score has launced him right to the very top of the list of most influential players in Ireland. His ability to get the ball where it needs to go either from a free-kick or kickout scenario makes him an invaluable weapon. His shot-stopping and presence in goals also makes him a reassuring presence for Monaghan’s defenders.

Offaly – Jordan Hayes

Hayes is a powerful midfielder that has shown the ability to break lines and get on the end of moves for Offaly. He also possesses the ability to kick long range scores and find his inside line with accurate kick-passes. A very important part as Offaly won Division 3 and made a Tailteann Cup semi-final. Honourable mentions for Keith O’Neill and Paddy Dunican.

Roscommon – Brian Stack

The Roscommon full-back began his career playing further out the field but has been solid as a rock at number 3 for multiple seasons. Has shown the ability to go toe-to-toe with the very best forwards in the game and always looks comfortable when in possession. A really modern full-back with a hint of the old-school in him. Honourble mentions to Enda Smith and Daire Cregg.

Sligo – Niall Murphy

Niall Murphy is one of those players who just continues to deliver for Sligo. He continues to rack up big scores for both club and county on a consistent basis and his form will be very important for Eamonn O’Hara and Dessie Sloyan’s men. His performances for Coolera/Strandhill as they won Connacht in 2024 showed the levels he is capable of.

Tipperary – Sean O’Connor

The Clonmel Commericals man has not had it easy stepping into the gap eft by Michael Quinlivan and Conor Sweeney but he possesses serious firepower and has often ploughed a lone furrow for the Premier County. His dead ball striking and ability to create his own score makes him a really dangerous player in Division 4 and key to Tipperary’s fortunes in 2026.

Tyrone – Darragh Canavan

The son of God was always going to be a talented player but Darragh Canavan has produced some glorious moments in his career with Tyrone so far. His ability to create a yard of space when none looks available and to pick out other players are joys to behold. A nightmare assignment for any corner-back on a dry day.

Waterford – Jason Curry

One of Waterford football’s greatest servants with over 100 appearances, their main man when it comes to getting scores on the board from play and from frees. The Rathgormack man balances Dairy farming and intercounty football and his commitment to the Waterford cause has to be applauded.

Westmeath – Luke Loughlin

Luke Loughlin has regularly made the incredible look routine. In 2025 he racked up some unbelievable tallies, notching 1-17 against Antrim in a Tailteann Cup game a particular highlight. The man from The Downs has one of the sweetest left boots in the game and is a livewire at all times. A handful for any defender at any level.

Wexford – Pairic Hughes 

A really impressive half-back with an eye for a score. Pairic Hughes has always caught the eye whether it’s been with Wexford or at Sigerson levels with DCU. He played a key part in Wexford’s promotion from Division 4 in 2025 and will be just as important as John Hegarty’s men look to consolidate their place in Division 3. Honourable mentions for Darragh Brooks and Cian Hughes.

Wicklow- Dean Healy

Dean Healy is a player who has quietly gone about his business for Wicklow for a long time. A powerful midfielder, Healy can win primary possession, kick scores from distance and arrive on the end of moves. He would definitely have been comfortable operating in Division 2 or higher if given the chance but has continually impressed with the Garden County and his club St Pats. Honourable mentions for Kevin Quinn and Malachy Stone.

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