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CLICK ON THE ARROWS ABOVE TO GO THROUGH THE FULL TEAM 1: Goalkeeper – Corey White (Tullamore)Ferbane's Adam Nugent and Shamrocks' Sean O'Toole were in the equation but Tullamore's Corey White gets the nod. He has made noticeable improvements in the past year or so. His fitness has improved and his kickouts are more consistent – his ability to get late ones away under severe pressure in the county final was lauded afterwards by their manager Paul McConway. He also did his primary goalkeeping duty well.
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CLICK ON THE ARROWS ABOVE TO GO THROUGH THE FULL TEAM 2: Right corner back – Rory Egan (Edenderry)Edenderry had a very strange year. They destroyed Rhode in the first round and did very well to top a group that also included Ferbane and qualify straight for the semi-finals. They looked to have improved significantly and seemed to be title contenders but they flopped quite spectacularly in the semi-final as Ferbane blew them out of the water. The nature of that performance, the scale of the defeat means that it is very much back to the drawing board for their manager Richie Dalton and everyone. It also means that they have only one representative on this team and Rory Egan is the choice, edging in ahead of his fellow county players, Lee Pearson and Jordan Hayes, who were good but lacked consistency. Egan played mainly on the half back line and he was solid defensively and offensively, playing well in most games – Adam Mahon was also an Edenderry contender.
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CLICK ON THE ARROWS ABOVE TO GO THROUGH THE FULL TEAM 3: Full back – Declan Hogan (Tullamore)Declan Hogan only came on as a sub in the group wins over Bracknagh and Shamrocks as he returned from injury but his importance to Tullamore was shown in the business end of the campaign. Pa Robbiliard had done nothing wrong at full back for Tullamore but once Hogan got fit, he was always going to win his place back and he showed his value. His leadership qualities are important to Tullamore while he also defended very competently. His performance when he moved onto Aaron Kellaghan after 20 minutes or so in the semi-final win over Rhode was arguably his most important contribution. Kellaghan had been running riot but Hogan quickly limited the damage and Tullamore were able to win with an element of comfort. Hogan was also very solid in the final, generally staying at home to mind the house and leaving the attacking adventures to the younger players all around him.
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4: Left corner back – Conor Dunican (Ferbane)Conor Dunican's selection may appear to be from the left field but it isn't really and he makes the cut on full merit. Dunican's name may not be familiar outside of Ferbane but it certainly grew in stature in 2025 as he gave some really good defensive performances in the corner. He really came of age in their defence and used the ball well. In terms of county football, we don't know and he would possibly be a “project” but there is definitely something in Dunican and his name will have been noted by Declan Kelly and Mickey Harte. Tullamore's Ben Heffernan and Daire McDaid were also strong considerations. McDaid's quality and his attacking productivity from defence is well known to supporters but he didn't play enough. He was ruled out for Tullamore's first two games as he had been on a playing sanction in America and he only saw the second half in the run away win over Shamrocks. Aaron Kellaghan had him in bother in the semi-final, though he impressed once Hogan took over there, getting forward well and scoring three crucial points. He also did very well on Cathal Flynn in the final, even if Flynn was a big factor in Ferbane being so close. Ben Heffernan was close as he is a very effective man marker. You won't see him soloing up the field much or firing over points but he just defends really well, marks his man, stays tight and limits his influence – and that is what a defender should do first and foremost. Bracknagh's Fionn Dempsey also had some very good games and was in the reckoning.