1 KERRY
They will never talk down an injury crisis in Kerry, but the treatment room down in Currans does seem to be fairly busy, of late. Eight of last year’s All-Ireland final starters missed the Munster final, as did Paul Geaney and Tom O’Sullivan. And the likes of Paudie Clifford and Mike Breen joined the walking wounded. Still, David Clifford is fit and firing, which will be enough to take them into the business end, anyway.
What makes season a success: Retaining Sam Maguire
Key man: David Clifford. Who else?
Difference maker: David Clifford of Kerry torments the Cork defence
2 ARMAGH
Finally, they are Ulster champions but that that’s unlikely to be the extent of their ambitions this summer – and they have the quality to go all the way. It seemed apt that they claimed the Anglo-Celt Cup in extra-time, eight of their championship games in the past four seasons have gone to extra-time, including two already this year. But they found ways to win against both Tyrone and Monaghan, which suggest that they had discovered a way of getting over the line in tight encounters.
What makes season a success: Adding the All-Ireland to Ulster
Key man: Oisin Conaty. The day Kieran McGeeney convinced the former young footballer of the year to turn his back on soccer and focus on Armagh may be the most significant of his long reign
Game changer: Oisin Conaty choosing Armagh over soccer has been huge
3 DONEGAL
Down’s ambush was a gut-check for a team that had moved seamlessly through the spring. Their demolition of Kerry in the league final had them installed as favourites for Sam Maguire, but that opinion was swiftly revised by their shock defeat in Letterkenny. The most worrying aspect of that performance was how flat and lifeless the team were, but having had a few weeks to recover, we might see a different Donegal in Killarney.
What makes season a success: Becoming All-Ireland champions.
Key man: Michael Langan. The stylish midfielder’s importance was underlined by his absence in the Down match.
Central figure: Donegal midfielder Michael Langan was missed against Down
4 ROSCOMMON
And now for their next trick. Roscommon claiming a Connacht title in the Hyde is one of the highlights of the season, simply because of the football that they played – and how they refused to wilt after Galway’s second goal. But the pace and purpose with which they played, exemplified by Darragh Heneghan’s two goal-salvo, shows a team full of belief and confidence and who have been expertly coached by Mark Dowd and his management team.
What makes season a success: Already is, but a first championship win in Croker since 1980 would be ideal
Key man: Diarmuid Murtagh. The inside-forward can blow hot and cold, but he has been exceptional for the Rossies so far this year.
5 GALWAY
The Tribesmen have been making headlines in the last few days as their full-back Sean Fitzgerald may be a contestant on Love Island, which probably takes some of the focus away from a team that are approaching their last chance to reach the top of the mountain. Having Damien Comer and Shane Walsh on the pitch at the end of the Connacht final was encouraging, Sean Kelly looks like he’s returning to form of a few years ago and Matthew Thompson has to come back. Genuine contenders.
What makes season a success: A third final in five years.
Key man: Rob Finnerty. Has stepped out of the shadows of Walsh and Comer and is now Galway’s main strike forward.
Making a name for himself: Galway's Rob Finnerty has gone up a level
6 MONAGHAN
Ultimately, they ran out of legs in the Ulster final. But the way that Jack McCarron and Stephen O’Hanlon dragged them back into the match enhances their reputation as the most resilient side around. They never know when they are beaten and McCarron gives them a lift whenever he’s sprung from the bench. Other sides, such as Armagh, have more quality, but the range of their two-point shooters make Monaghan a dangerous opponent.
What makes season a success: Reaching All-Ireland semi-final
Key man: Rory Beggan. The Farney goalkeeper has proper main character energy, evident in his close-up spectator role for McCarron’s sideline kick against Derry. His ability to kick two-point frees are crucial.
Net gains: Monaghan's Rory Beggan is an inspirational figure for his county
7 TYRONE
The most difficult team to read in this championship. They dragged Armagh to extra-time, despite injuries to Darragh Canavan and Brian Kennedy, but never looked like getting out of a Division two that they were red-hot favourites to win it. Wouldn’t be a surprise if they turned the Rossies over in the Hyde, but equally nobody would be shocked if they are beaten.
What makes season a success: A first final since 2021
Key man: Darragh Canavan. The fortunes of the Red Hands are tied up in whether they can keep their stellar forward fit.
8 MAYO
Even if Roscommon’s Connacht final display puts a different slant to what happened in Castlebar, there still isn’t a whole pile of confidence in Mayo. But that will change with a positive result in Clones and there’s no county that can ride a wave of momentum like them. There are reports that Andy Moran changed things up for a recent challenge game against Kildare, but their restarts are where they fell apart against the Rossies.
What makes season a success: Returning to Croke Park and reaching a semi-final
Key man: Ryan O’Donoghue. Has matured into both the leader of Mayo’s attack – and the team itself. Seems to be enjoying himself at centre-forward, too.
Leader: Ryan O'Donoghue celebrates scoring a goal for Mayo against Roscommon
9 WESTMEATH
They will be writing songs in the midlands about their Leinster title success. Given they achieved it by beating Meath, Kildare and Dublin – the first county to do it that way in over 100 years. Mark McHugh has instilled real belief in a team of talented footballers such as Matthew Whittaker, Sam McCartan and Senan Baker, who belied his youth with his equalising point in Croker.
What makes season a success: Already is, anything else a bonus. Quarter-final place would be nice, though
Key man: Ronan Wallace. The Westmeath skipper is developing into one of the best attacking wing-backs in the country and his daring raids were integral to them winning Leinster final
10 DUBLIN
During extra-time in Croke Park last Sunday, it felt like time was catching up on some of the Dublin players. The misfortune of Peadar Ó Coifaigh Byrne’s injury did derail their kickout strategy, but their game-smarts also deserted the Dubs at crucial stages – which was one of their calling cards under Jim Gavin. And they still look like one of the few teams still to get a grip on the new rules.
What makes season a success: Finding some way to the last four
Key man: Con O’Callaghan. It feels like all of Dublin’s fortunes this summer will hinge on whether their talisman is fit enough to carry the team on his back – as he has done so often before.
Driving force: Dublin's season hinges on the fitness of Con O'Callaghan
11 CORK
A half-decent first half performance in Killarney was forgotten by the poor return against the wind, when Brian O’Driscoll’s solo goal put a bit of respectability on the scoreboard. It felt like a big chance for John Cleary’s Rebels to frank their improvement. Having finally got back to Division one, an All-Ireland quarter-final would represent progress. Hard to know if they are capable of much more yet.
What makes season a success: Getting to the last eight.
Key man: Colm O’Callaghan. The midfielder has been a virtual ever-present for Rebels in the past few years and has a settled partnership with Ian Maguire.
12 MEATH
The recovery starts in Cork for Robbie Brennan and his players. Meath were supposed to win the Leinster title this year and that they were caught at the first hurdle by Westmeath was a serious setback. They still have some exceptional forwards, but they need to cut out their tendency to concede big scores, 4-18 and 3-20 has been scored against them in their last two championship games.
What makes season a success: Recover to make a semi-final, like last summer
Key man: Jordan Morris. A big part of the defeat to Westmeath was that Morris was kept largely quiet, scoring just once from play
Dynamic: Meath forward is their most influential attacker at his best
13 DERRY
Hard to know what to make of the Oak Leafers. Looked to be heading in the right direction under Ciaran Meenagh, but losing a ten-point lead to Monaghan in the Ulster semi-final has raised all the old doubts about this team. Still overly dependant on Shane McGuigan for firepower and face the daunting task of going to Athletic Grounds for the first game.
What makes season a success: Finding some consistency on their way to a quarter-final
Key man: Conor Glass. The talented flame-haired midfielder is 28 now, even though this is only his fifth year with Derry, given his sojourn in the AFL.
Stalwart: Derry's Conor Glass has become the fulcrum of the team
14 LOUTH
Their reign as Leinster champions came to the end in the most disappointing manner, as they only managed to score 10 points against Dublin – and went 22 minutes of the second-half without registering a score. It might be hard for Gavin Devlin to pick the team back up off the floor, but they need to harness some of the spirit from last summer to make a dent in the All-Ireland series
What makes season a success: Recovering from their poor performance against the Dubs
Key man: Sam Mulroy. Their talismanic forward is still their most important player, and they will need him to play well to have any impact on the All-Ireland series.
15 KILDARE
Given that they took Westmeath to extra-time in the Leinster semi-final, Brian Flanagan and his team have a right to feel they are not that far away. It is still hard to trust Kildare though. They were poor during the national league, getting relegated to Division three, and face an uphill task to make headway among these
What makes season a success: A couple of wins in the All-Ireland series
Key man: Kevin Feely. The veteran midfielder is 33 now, but in such a young team, his experience will be vital in the coming weeks
Making his point: Cavan's inside forward Paddy Lynch has impressed this season
16 CAVAN
Down not getting to the Ulster final was good news for Dermot McCabe’s side, as it allowed them to remain in the Sam Maguire race. But there is a school of thought that Cavan might have benefitted more from dropping into the Tailteann Cup and winning some silverware. That might not go down well in a county with such a proud footballing past, but perhaps would be better for development of current team.
What makes season a success: A championship win would probably suffice
Key man: Paddy Lynch. The talented inside-forward scored seven points against Monaghan, proving what his county missed when he was out with a long-term injury,