The Gaelic Football Team Of The Year Without the Four All-Ireland Semifinalists

The All-Ireland football semifinals take place this weekend at Croke Park. If you don't make the semi-finals, then your chances of making the All-Star team are practically nil, no matter how well you have been playing.

So for that reason, we have decided to pick our very own team of the year, made up from players outside of that four semifinalists.

Roscommon manager Davy Burke said that Rory Beggan was the most valuable player in the country under the new rules.

As well as his accuracy from kick outs, and brilliant shot-stopping, the Monaghan goalkeeper is a weapon from the 40m arc, pitching in with two-pointers on a regular basis.

The Down corner back is just as effective when attacking as he is getting back defensively, and has enjoyed a wonderful season for the men in red and black.

The Armagh full back was a Player of the Year nominee last year, and he brought a lot of that good form into 2025 as well.

All throughout the Ulster campaign and group stages he was imperious, and also poses a goal threat going forward too.

Ryan Wylie played practically every single minute of this season under Gabriel Bannigan and for good reason.

The Farney corner back is tenacious, reliable, good on the ball and has a burst of energy that sets the tone for his team from the back line.

Louth enjoyed a season that would have been considered to be beyond their wildest dreams as they lifted the Leinster final, by beating Meath in the final.

Ciaran Lennon scored 1-1 in that game from half back, but has been relentless all season. Injuries hampered his playing time n the last two games for the Wee County, and his absence was painfully felt.

The Galway captain struggled with injuries all of last season, but got himself right for 2025, and was at the heart of everything that was good about his team.

Sean Kelly proved that he is still one of the very best line-breakers in the game, and his performance against Armagh in the second half of their group stage match particularly stands out.

An impact sub last year, Ross McQuillan burst his way onto the starting team during the league, and his performances were so consistently brilliant, that Kieran McGeeney just couldn't drop him.

The flying half back has marked some of the biggest names in the game this year, but his scoring prowess has been frightening as well, as he loves to bomb forward and get on the end of things.

Cork's midfield general Ian Maguire has delivered some truly inspirational performances this season for The Rebels.

Always considered as a steady, consistent player, this year he showed that he is a real leader in the team as well, and his ability on the ball is just as effective as his fetching and tackling attributes.

Taking brian Fenton and James McCarthy out of the team left two massive holes in midfield for Dublin, but they certainly filled at least one of them in the shape of Peadar O Cofaigh Byrne.

The man mountain midfielder was central to Dublin's kick out plans, outmuscled everyone in the middle of the park, and provided a level of physicality that made him a match for the very best in the game.

Last year's Young Player of the Year, Oisin Conaty has hit a whole new level this season and without question, has been Armagh's best player.

The flying forward is direct, skillful, and just so exciting to watch for the Orchard county - he will be at the very heart of this team for years to come.

For those who haven't seen much of Down in recent years, their performance against Galway in the preliminary quarter-finals would have given people the opportunity to se how formidable they have become, and just how special a player Odhran Murdock is.

The Burren clubman scored 1-04 that day, but it's his leadership, drive and determination that stands out above everything else, and he is more than deserving of his place in this team.

Now captain of Monaghan, Micheal Bannigan has taken to the role like a duck to water as he leads by example on the pitch every time he goes out there.

His accuracy in front of the posts is incredible but his all-action style of play makes him a joy to watch, and the Farney county are very lucky to have him.

What a find Matthew Thompson has been for Padraic Joyce, the young gun slinger has taken to senior football with such ease, that it looks like he has been at this level forever.

With injuries to Damien Comer, Shane Walsh, and others, Thompson was unearthed at just the right moment, and priduced his best performance against Down in the preliminary quarter-finals where he scored five points and set up Walhs with a wonderful long ball. His future is looking very bright.

There are those who will claim that Shane Walsh is no good, no matter what he does on the pitch, but the fact of the matter is Galway would have been eliminated from the championship before the quarter-final stages if it wasn't for him.

His second half performance against Armagh in the group stages was heroic, and he kicked an incredible 1-05 against Down in the preliminary round as well, almost single handily beating the Ulster side.

Sam Mulory is only entering the prime of his career, but he will already be in the conversation when it comes to naming Louth's greatest ever player.

Not only did he captain his county to a historic Leinster title this season, it was his leadership, scores, and brilliance in the match that got them over the line.

Accompanied by a brilliant team, Mulroy is the perfect focal point, and has enjoyed a season that the county will never forget.