Kerry dominate RTÉ Team of the Year after magnificent 2025

It comes as no surprise that Kerry dominate RTÉ’s The Sunday Game Team of the Year.

2025 saw the Kingdom march to the National League Division 1 title, with a 1-18 to 1-12 win over Mayo in the final, before crushing Donegal in the All-Ireland SFC final yeaterday, 1-26 to 0-19.

Alongside the seven Kerry players are four from Donegal, including Michael Murphy, Meath’s Seán Rafferty, Tyrone’s Kieran McGeary, and Armagh’s Oisín Conaty.

1. Shane Ryan (Kerry)

2. Sean Rafferty (Meath)

3. Jason Foley (Kerry)

4. Brendan McCole (Donegal)

5. Brian Ó Beaglaoich (Kerry)

6. Gavin White (Kerry)

7. Kieran McGeary (Tyrone)

8. Michael Langan (Donegal)

9. Joe O’Connor (Kerry)

10. Paudie Clifford (Kerry)

11. Sean O’Shea (Kerry)

12. Oisin Conaty (Armagh)

13. David Clifford (Kerry)

14. Michael Murphy (Donegal)

15. Conor O’Donnell (Donegal)

The panel also picked David Clifford as the Footballer of the Year.

The Fossa man was magnificent throughout the Championship, scoring 8-62 overall, including 0-09 in the final and 1-9 in the semi-final.

On comparisons to Lionel Messi, Clifford said that these motivated him: “To be honest, I nearly take it as a hit because I think there are people who say it but it isn’t coming from the right place.

“I think they are trying to build you up and hope that you will fail. That was a massive motivation for me today.”

On the win, he added: “You think about doing it all week and over the last two weeks you are nearly waking up in the middle of the night thinking about it.

“When you are here and it goes well it’s such a good feeling. We couldn’t be happier.”