GAA.ie Football Team of the last 25 years

[Blowitupref]

1: Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)

The easiest position on the team to pick, Stephen Cluxton reimagined the position of goalkeeper to make it the most important on the pitch thanks to his laser-guided kick-outs. He has a deep catalogue of brilliant saves too and his match-winner in the 2011 All-Ireland Final will always be an iconic score.

2: Marc Ó Sé

The five-time All-Ireland winner and 2007 Footballer of the Year combined defensive grit with attacking class. He carried the ball with such style it looked like he glided across the ground.

3: Seamus Moynihan (Kerry)

Footballer of the year in 2000, Moynihan is one of the greatest ball-playing defenders in the history of the game. His athleticism, anticipation, and skill made him a joy to watch as he attacked every ball with gusto.

4: Keith Higgins (Mayo)

The four-time All-Star as the prototype of the modern corner-back thanks to his combination of tigerish defending and counter-attacking ability. He had pace, skill, and a great knack for reading the game.


5: Lee Keegan: The five-time All-Star and 2016 footballer of the year was a brilliant all-round footballer who could combine touch-tight man-marking with a great ability to join the attack and kick important scores.

6: Kieran McGeeney (Armagh)

The 2002 All-Ireland winning Armagh captain was a relentless competitor who tackled brilliantly, read the game intuitively, and had a great range of kick-passing that could turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye.

7: James McCarthy (Dublin)

The five-time All-Star was a crucial component in the Dublin team that won nine All-Ireland titles. One of the most athletic players of his generation, his power in the tackle, strength under a high ball, and ability to stride forward in possession always gave his team huge momentum.

8: Brian Fenton (Dublin)

The most important player in Dubin's six-in-a-row winning team and the best midfielder of his generation. Fenton's fielding, athleticism, scoring range, and ability to be in the right place at the right time was special.

9: Michael Murphy (Donegal)

The five-time All-Star is one of the most complete players of his era. A master of all skills from catching to kicking, tackling to scoring.

10: Sean Cavanagh (Tyrone)

The 2008 Footballer of the Year and five-time All-Star was irresistible at his best thanks to a rare combination of speed, skill, strength, and scoring power.

11: Peter Canavan (Tyrone)

He played champagne football in the 1990s as well but Canavan saved the sweetest wine for the noughties, captaining Tyrone to their first ever All-Ireland in 2003 and playing a key role in their second two years later. A master at creating space for himself and finishing clinically.

12: Ciarán Kilkenny (Dublin)

The six-time All-Star and two-time Footballer of the Year nominee has been hugely consistent for Dublin during their era of dominance. His work-rate, physicality, eye for a score, and ability to perform on the biggest of occasions have made him a force to be reckoned with.

13: Colm Cooper (Kerry)

The eight-time All-Star and five-time All-Ireland winner is one of the most skilful forwards the game has ever produced. His unique combination of cold-blooded finishing and creative passing saw him excel both as an inside forward and a play-making centre-forward later in his career.


14: David Clifford (Kerry)

Still only 25, David Clifford is already commonly regarded as bone of greatest footballers to ever play the game. His size, speed, skill, and outrageous scoring ability makes him the most complete forward of his generation.

15: Conor McManus (Monaghan)

From 2008 to 2024, Conor McManus scored an astounding 9-291 in championship football, putting him fourth in the list of all-time championship scorers. There are none better at arcing over angled points from either side of the pitch than the Monaghan maestro.

16: Niall Morgan (Tyrone)

It's been the Stephen Cluxton era of goalkeeping but none have stepped out from his shadow more than Morgan who's ability to rove up the field as a play-maker and score points from both play and free-kicks makes him something special.


17: Conor Gormley (Tyrone)

His iconic block on Steven McDonnell in the 2003 All-Ireland Final will always have a special place in Tyrone lore. The three-time All-Star a defender of great physicality and intelligence who could play in a variety of positions.

18: Michael Fitzsimons (Dublin)

The nine-time All-Ireland winner is the best man-marker of his generation. His sustained effectiveness against the best forwards in the game over such a long career has been highly impressive.

19: Tomás Ó Sé (Kerry)

The five-time All-Ireland winner was a force of nature at wing-back for Kerry with his buccaneering runs from defence and ability to take a score an inspiration for team-mates and supporters alike.


20: Jack McCaffrey (Dublin)

Another wing-back who got bums off seats thanks to his electric pace and ability to join the attack and get big scores.

21: Philip Jordan (Tyrone)

Jordan was poetry in motion when he ran forward with the ball and was highly effective too when it came to the bread and butter stuff in defence.

22: Darragh Ó Sé (Kerry)

The six-time All-Ireland winner was the dominant midfielder of his generation. A magnificent fielder of the ball who had a happy habit of kicking some big scores.

23: Stephen O'Neill (Tyrone)

Stephen O'Neill had one of the sweetest left pegs the game has ever seen and a great ability to weave his way through opposition defences thanks to his balance and side-step.


24: Steven McDonnell (Armagh)

The 2003 Footballer of the Year was an absolute assassin in front of the posts who blessed with skill, strength, and ruthless finishing instinct.

25: Cillian O'Connor (Mayo)

Cillian O'Connor is the leading scorer in the history of the championship with an incredible tally of 32-363. The bigger the occasion the more he seemed to like it.

26: Bernard Brogan (Dublin)

The 2010 Footballer of the Year was a really classy attacker seemed just as strong off either foot and showed great composure when goal-scoring opportunities came his way.

[gallsman]

Not as "controversial" as the hurling one I don't think. Darren Fay deserves a spot on the panel at the very least.

[lenny]

1: Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)

The easiest position on the team to pick, Stephen Cluxton reimagined the position of goalkeeper to make it the most important on the pitch thanks to his laser-guided kick-outs. He has a deep catalogue of brilliant saves too and his match-winner in the 2011 All-Ireland Final will always be an iconic score.

2: Marc Ó Sé

The five-time All-Ireland winner and 2007 Footballer of the Year combined defensive grit with attacking class. He carried the ball with such style it looked like he glided across the ground.

3: Seamus Moynihan (Kerry)

Footballer of the year in 2000, Moynihan is one of the greatest ball-playing defenders in the history of the game. His athleticism, anticipation, and skill made him a joy to watch as he attacked every ball with gusto.

4: Keith Higgins (Mayo)

The four-time All-Star as the prototype of the modern corner-back thanks to his combination of tigerish defending and counter-attacking ability. He had pace, skill, and a great knack for reading the game.


5: Lee Keegan: The five-time All-Star and 2016 footballer of the year was a brilliant all-round footballer who could combine touch-tight man-marking with a great ability to join the attack and kick important scores.

6: Kieran McGeeney (Armagh)

The 2002 All-Ireland winning Armagh captain was a relentless competitor who tackled brilliantly, read the game intuitively, and had a great range of kick-passing that could turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye.

7: James McCarthy (Dublin)

The five-time All-Star was a crucial component in the Dublin team that won nine All-Ireland titles. One of the most athletic players of his generation, his power in the tackle, strength under a high ball, and ability to stride forward in possession always gave his team huge momentum.

8: Brian Fenton (Dublin)

The most important player in Dubin's six-in-a-row winning team and the best midfielder of his generation. Fenton's fielding, athleticism, scoring range, and ability to be in the right place at the right time was special.

9: Michael Murphy (Donegal)

The five-time All-Star is one of the most complete players of his era. A master of all skills from catching to kicking, tackling to scoring.

10: Sean Cavanagh (Tyrone)

The 2008 Footballer of the Year and five-time All-Star was irresistible at his best thanks to a rare combination of speed, skill, strength, and scoring power.

11: Peter Canavan (Tyrone)

He played champagne football in the 1990s as well but Canavan saved the sweetest wine for the noughties, captaining Tyrone to their first ever All-Ireland in 2003 and playing a key role in their second two years later. A master at creating space for himself and finishing clinically.

12: Ciarán Kilkenny (Dublin)

The six-time All-Star and two-time Footballer of the Year nominee has been hugely consistent for Dublin during their era of dominance. His work-rate, physicality, eye for a score, and ability to perform on the biggest of occasions have made him a force to be reckoned with.

13: Colm Cooper (Kerry)

The eight-time All-Star and five-time All-Ireland winner is one of the most skilful forwards the game has ever produced. His unique combination of cold-blooded finishing and creative passing saw him excel both as an inside forward and a play-making centre-forward later in his career.


14: David Clifford (Kerry)

Still only 25, David Clifford is already commonly regarded as bone of greatest footballers to ever play the game. His size, speed, skill, and outrageous scoring ability makes him the most complete forward of his generation.

15: Conor McManus (Monaghan)

From 2008 to 2024, Conor McManus scored an astounding 9-291 in championship football, putting him fourth in the list of all-time championship scorers. There are none better at arcing over angled points from either side of the pitch than the Monaghan maestro.

16: Niall Morgan (Tyrone)

It's been the Stephen Cluxton era of goalkeeping but none have stepped out from his shadow more than Morgan who's ability to rove up the field as a play-maker and score points from both play and free-kicks makes him something special.


17: Conor Gormley (Tyrone)

His iconic block on Steven McDonnell in the 2003 All-Ireland Final will always have a special place in Tyrone lore. The three-time All-Star a defender of great physicality and intelligence who could play in a variety of positions.

18: Michael Fitzsimons (Dublin)

The nine-time All-Ireland winner is the best man-marker of his generation. His sustained effectiveness against the best forwards in the game over such a long career has been highly impressive.

19: Tomás Ó Sé (Kerry)

The five-time All-Ireland winner was a force of nature at wing-back for Kerry with his buccaneering runs from defence and ability to take a score an inspiration for team-mates and supporters alike.


20: Jack McCaffrey (Dublin)

Another wing-back who got bums off seats thanks to his electric pace and ability to join the attack and get big scores.

21: Philip Jordan (Tyrone)

Jordan was poetry in motion when he ran forward with the ball and was highly effective too when it came to the bread and butter stuff in defence.

22: Darragh Ó Sé (Kerry)

The six-time All-Ireland winner was the dominant midfielder of his generation. A magnificent fielder of the ball who had a happy habit of kicking some big scores.

23: Stephen O'Neill (Tyrone)

Stephen O'Neill had one of the sweetest left pegs the game has ever seen and a great ability to weave his way through opposition defences thanks to his balance and side-step.


24: Steven McDonnell (Armagh)

The 2003 Footballer of the Year was an absolute assassin in front of the posts who blessed with skill, strength, and ruthless finishing instinct.

25: Cillian O'Connor (Mayo)

Cillian O'Connor is the leading scorer in the history of the championship with an incredible tally of 32-363. The bigger the occasion the more he seemed to like it.

26: Bernard Brogan (Dublin)

The 2010 Footballer of the Year was a really classy attacker seemed just as strong off either foot and showed great composure when goal-scoring opportunities came his way.

I'd definitely have jack mccaffrey starting in place of mcgeeney with mccarthy going to 6. Diarmuid Connolly should be on the list also, probably starting ahead of cavanagh.

[Cortoon]

Not as "controversial" as the hurling one I don't think. Darren Fay deserves a spot on the panel at the very least.

Darren Fay? Padraic Joyce retired him in 2001.
Someone who puts Cillian O'Connor ahead of Padraic Joyce should be referred to a shrink.

[JoG2]

1: Stephen Cluxton (Dublin)

The easiest position on the team to pick, Stephen Cluxton reimagined the position of goalkeeper to make it the most important on the pitch thanks to his laser-guided kick-outs. He has a deep catalogue of brilliant saves too and his match-winner in the 2011 All-Ireland Final will always be an iconic score.

2: Marc Ó Sé

The five-time All-Ireland winner and 2007 Footballer of the Year combined defensive grit with attacking class. He carried the ball with such style it looked like he glided across the ground.

3: Seamus Moynihan (Kerry)

Footballer of the year in 2000, Moynihan is one of the greatest ball-playing defenders in the history of the game. His athleticism, anticipation, and skill made him a joy to watch as he attacked every ball with gusto.

4: Keith Higgins (Mayo)

The four-time All-Star as the prototype of the modern corner-back thanks to his combination of tigerish defending and counter-attacking ability. He had pace, skill, and a great knack for reading the game.


5: Lee Keegan: The five-time All-Star and 2016 footballer of the year was a brilliant all-round footballer who could combine touch-tight man-marking with a great ability to join the attack and kick important scores.

6: Kieran McGeeney (Armagh)

The 2002 All-Ireland winning Armagh captain was a relentless competitor who tackled brilliantly, read the game intuitively, and had a great range of kick-passing that could turn defence into attack in the blink of an eye.

7: James McCarthy (Dublin)

The five-time All-Star was a crucial component in the Dublin team that won nine All-Ireland titles. One of the most athletic players of his generation, his power in the tackle, strength under a high ball, and ability to stride forward in possession always gave his team huge momentum.

8: Brian Fenton (Dublin)

The most important player in Dubin's six-in-a-row winning team and the best midfielder of his generation. Fenton's fielding, athleticism, scoring range, and ability to be in the right place at the right time was special.

9: Michael Murphy (Donegal)

The five-time All-Star is one of the most complete players of his era. A master of all skills from catching to kicking, tackling to scoring.

10: Sean Cavanagh (Tyrone)

The 2008 Footballer of the Year and five-time All-Star was irresistible at his best thanks to a rare combination of speed, skill, strength, and scoring power.

11: Peter Canavan (Tyrone)

He played champagne football in the 1990s as well but Canavan saved the sweetest wine for the noughties, captaining Tyrone to their first ever All-Ireland in 2003 and playing a key role in their second two years later. A master at creating space for himself and finishing clinically.

12: Ciarán Kilkenny (Dublin)

The six-time All-Star and two-time Footballer of the Year nominee has been hugely consistent for Dublin during their era of dominance. His work-rate, physicality, eye for a score, and ability to perform on the biggest of occasions have made him a force to be reckoned with.

13: Colm Cooper (Kerry)

The eight-time All-Star and five-time All-Ireland winner is one of the most skilful forwards the game has ever produced. His unique combination of cold-blooded finishing and creative passing saw him excel both as an inside forward and a play-making centre-forward later in his career.


14: David Clifford (Kerry)

Still only 25, David Clifford is already commonly regarded as bone of greatest footballers to ever play the game. His size, speed, skill, and outrageous scoring ability makes him the most complete forward of his generation.

15: Conor McManus (Monaghan)

From 2008 to 2024, Conor McManus scored an astounding 9-291 in championship football, putting him fourth in the list of all-time championship scorers. There are none better at arcing over angled points from either side of the pitch than the Monaghan maestro.

16: Niall Morgan (Tyrone)

It's been the Stephen Cluxton era of goalkeeping but none have stepped out from his shadow more than Morgan who's ability to rove up the field as a play-maker and score points from both play and free-kicks makes him something special.


17: Conor Gormley (Tyrone)

His iconic block on Steven McDonnell in the 2003 All-Ireland Final will always have a special place in Tyrone lore. The three-time All-Star a defender of great physicality and intelligence who could play in a variety of positions.

18: Michael Fitzsimons (Dublin)

The nine-time All-Ireland winner is the best man-marker of his generation. His sustained effectiveness against the best forwards in the game over such a long career has been highly impressive.

19: Tomás Ó Sé (Kerry)

The five-time All-Ireland winner was a force of nature at wing-back for Kerry with his buccaneering runs from defence and ability to take a score an inspiration for team-mates and supporters alike.


20: Jack McCaffrey (Dublin)

Another wing-back who got bums off seats thanks to his electric pace and ability to join the attack and get big scores.

21: Philip Jordan (Tyrone)

Jordan was poetry in motion when he ran forward with the ball and was highly effective too when it came to the bread and butter stuff in defence.

22: Darragh Ó Sé (Kerry)

The six-time All-Ireland winner was the dominant midfielder of his generation. A magnificent fielder of the ball who had a happy habit of kicking some big scores.

23: Stephen O'Neill (Tyrone)

Stephen O'Neill had one of the sweetest left pegs the game has ever seen and a great ability to weave his way through opposition defences thanks to his balance and side-step.


24: Steven McDonnell (Armagh)

The 2003 Footballer of the Year was an absolute assassin in front of the posts who blessed with skill, strength, and ruthless finishing instinct.

25: Cillian O'Connor (Mayo)

Cillian O'Connor is the leading scorer in the history of the championship with an incredible tally of 32-363. The bigger the occasion the more he seemed to like it.

26: Bernard Brogan (Dublin)

The 2010 Footballer of the Year was a really classy attacker seemed just as strong off either foot and showed great composure when goal-scoring opportunities came his way.

I'd definitely have jack mccaffrey starting in place of mcgeeney with mccarthy going to 6. Diarmuid Connolly should be on the list also, probably starting ahead of cavanagh.

Agreed.. I'd agree with all those McGeeney attributes except for the kick passing.

Serious team and bench. Of course there should be a Derryman or two on there, but t'is the season of good will 🎄

[gallsman]

Cavanagh shouldn't be at 10 but the idea of Connolly ranking ahead of him is hilarious.

[JoG2]

Cavanagh shouldn't be at 10 but the idea of Connolly ranking ahead of him is hilarious.

It's not, Connolly is one of the most skilful, exciting players to have ever played the game

[Rossfan]

Imaginary teams are always good craic in midwinter.

[gallsman]

Cavanagh shouldn't be at 10 but the idea of Connolly ranking ahead of him is hilarious.

It's not, Connolly is one of the most skilful, exciting players to have ever played the game

And Cavanagh was better than him and certainly had a better career. Connolly fucked around too much.

[Cortoon]

Connolly went missing in too many All Ireland finals. It's easy run up big scores in Leinster when the rest have given up.

[lenny]

Cavanagh shouldn't be at 10 but the idea of Connolly ranking ahead of him is hilarious.

It's not, Connolly is one of the most skilful, exciting players to have ever played the game

And Cavanagh was better than him and certainly had a better career. Connolly fucked around too much.

Cavanagh is definitely the weak link in that forward line. I would definitely have Connolly or even P Joyce well ahead of him.

[dec]

Canavan in the half forwards doesn't seem right.

[marty34]

I don't think Mc Geeney should be on it.  He was captain of the team which adds a few more percent to any player but definately his longevity as a maanger has got him a place on that team.

[imtommygunn]

Cavanagh is no doubt a tool but he was a fantastic footballer. It is no coincidence Tyrone's best ever period coincided with him being in his prime. I think that clouds judgement. 08 final one of the better individual performances I remember in a final. One of the Donegal ulster finals one of the best I remember in an ulster final.

Would agree on mcgeeney. Excellent but maybe not best of the last 25 years. Not sure on mcmanus either. Obviously fantastic but not sure about best of last 25 years.

[gallsman]

Cavanagh won 5 All Stars and a FOTY. When he was in midfield during Tyrone's peak, he was the best midfielder in the country. When he was at FF he was the best FF in the country.