Rising Gaelic Football Players to Watch in the Coming Months
Gaelic football, also known as GAA football, is one of the oldest sports in Ireland. Dating as far back as the Middle Ages, it has grown exponentially over the last few years. The sport is deeply embedded in Irish culture, and it never fails to captivate audiences with its fast-paced action and skilful play. As the new season comes up in a couple of months, and many seasoned players retire, the spotlight will shift to the next generation of players who are expected to make a significant impact on the game.
Fans interested in placing bets on these rising stars can try out the many online sportsbooks that have a variety of betting options, including prop bets. To explore the many betting options, you have to place your bets on a reputable betting site. Review sites like Irishluck publish reviews that prove helpful in a search for a reputable betting site to place wagers on.
This next generation of players is the future of the game; a lot of responsibility rests on their shoulders as they are expected to introduce new playing styles and inspire young fans. True fans of the sport know that promising players like those listed below decide what the outcomes of games will be. In this article, we will discuss some of the most promising Gaelic football players who are well on their way to making a significant impact on the sport in the coming months.
Criteria for Selection
The rising Gaelic football players were not arbitrarily selected, many factors were considered to identify the top talents in Gaelic football. The following is the methodology we chose for identifying the rising stars.
We evaluated these players based on their contributions in matches, including scoring ability, defensive skills, and the overall impact they have had on the success of their team in previous matches. We also made sure to consider consistency, as some players do not really perform well all round while some do. Only players who have been performing well in youth competitions are highlighted as potential players in this review.
We also assessed the long-term potential of these players who have shown physical maturity, technical skills, and ability to adapt to the big stage. Over the years, many Gaelic players have left a lasting record on the sport. Players in their early 20s, such as David Clifford, who was selected for the All-Stars at a young age, is one of many with huge potential for future stardom. We also considered young players who have exciting and skilful play and are favourites to watch.
These, and many more, have been considered in the sections below to rank players and their performance in Gaelic football.
Players to Watch Out For
|
Player Name |
Team |
Position |
|
Conor Turbitt |
Armagh |
Forward (Top of the Left) |
|
Rob Finnerty |
Galway
|
Corner-Forward
|
|
Oisín Gallen |
Donegal |
Forward |
|
Ben Crealey |
Armagh |
Midfield |
|
Rian O’Neill |
Armagh |
Wing-Forward |
|
Oisín Conaty |
Armagh |
Wing-Forward |
Conor Turbitt
Conor is a rising talent in Gaelic football, popular for his skills and strong performance record in previous competitions. He plays for the Armagh County team and has made contributions to the team during his time there. One of these contributions was his impressive performance in the Armagh Senior Club Championship Final, where he scored eight goals, six of which were from open play. The team’s victory is mainly because of his exceptional performance.
He is impressive not only because of his scoring abilities but also because of some of the assists he has made in important moments. In the same Armagh Senior Final where he scored eight goals, he also assisted in setting up two goals for his team. One of the most significant moments in that game was the halftime assist by Turbitt to Jack Conlon, who then scored a goal despite being positioned with his back to the goal.
He was also selected for an All-Star award at the end of the 2024 season. It is expected that he will give the same quality of performance this season.
Rob Finnerty
Rob Finnerty is another promising young talent on our list. His most recent performance playing with the Galways senior team was one where he showed extraordinary skill in a recent match against Donegal on February 23, 2025. He scored three points, including one from a free kick. He also proved his ability to perform under pressure as he led his team to secure a seven-point win despite the challenging weather conditions.
Finnerty’s consistent scoring ability puts him on our list as a rising star. He was also recognised for his scoring ability in the 2024 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship, where he was a top scorer for the team. He was given the All-star recognition at the end of the 2024 season and it is expected that he will keep his family legacy as his family is deeply rooted in Gaelic football. Rob’s father, Anthony Finnerty, was a star Gaelic player who played for Mayo and featured in two All-Ireland finals in 1989 and 1996.
Oisín Gallen
Oisin Gallen is another formidable player who has made his presence known in the Donegal county team. His contribution to the league win against Kerry on February 9, 2025, was phenomenal. He scored 3 points, including a two-pointer. His ability to score from a distance and under pressure was a major reason why they were able to secure the win. He made his inter-county debut in 2019, and he has since become a regular member of the team.
He has won two Ulster Senior Football Championships and two National Football League Division 2 titles. He received the Gradam Shéamuis Mhic Géidigh award in 2023 and was recognised as Donegal’s sports personality of the year. His impressive form since debut continued into 2024 when he earned his first All-Star award. Although his career has been marked with periods of injury, he claims to have learnt more about his body, and we expect that he will be able to continue with the upward momentum he started with.
Ben Crealey
Ben Crealey is another talented Gaelic footballer who plays as a midfielder for the Maghery club and the Armagh county team. His most recent performance was a brilliant one that led Armagh to secure their second All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title by defeating Galway in the final. Crealey played as a midfielder alongside Niall Grimley, and their performance helped in turning the ball over and controlling the tempo of the match.
Crealey’s family background is deeply rooted in rallying. Rallying is a motorsport where drivers compete on various terrains, including asphalt and gravel roads. He explored rallying for a while before eventually settling with Gaelic football due to the difficulty of balancing both sports and the guilt he felt for missing important matches. Crealey’s dedication to Gaelic football has paid off significantly, he was named an All-Star at the end of the 2024 season as recognition of his contribution to Armagh’s championship-winning campaign.
Rian O’Neill
Rian O’Neill is a forward for Armagh who has proven himself as a potent attacking threat that opponents keep struggling to contain. He has insane speed, agility, and accuracy that make him a nightmare for defenders. He creates unique scoring opportunities for himself and his teammates. Rian has secured many victories for his team, and his leadership skill on the field has also contributed to him being named one of the top forwards in Gaelic football.
His impact on Gaelic football goes far beyond his scoring prowess, as he has also shown resilience amidst challenges. He has faced suspensions and is known to bounce back from setbacks like those to still perform well at the heart of his team alongside Stefan Campbell and Aidan Nugent.
He had an amazing performance in the 2024 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship Semi-Final against Kerry, where he was named man of the match. He finally led Armagh to secure their second All-Ireland Senior Football Championship title. Just like the other rising stars on our list, O’Neill also gained recognition as an All-Star award at the end of the 2024 season.
Oisín Conaty
Oisin joined the Armagh panel as a substitute just a year before his breakout season. He has had an impressive rise to football fame since then, all because of his hard work and dedication to Gaelic football. Conaty was awarded the Man of the Match trophy in the 2024 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship final. This recognition was because of his contribution to Armagh’s victory over Galway. Conaty also had several awards in 2024, including the
After the performance at the All-Ireland final, he received seven thousand votes as the GAA Footballer of the Week. He has had considerable success in the sport, and many would think he might relent, but he has made it clear that he is motivated to continue on his winning streak. This mindset makes him a solid footballer to watch out for in the coming months.
The future of Gaelic football looks bright, with promising players leading the way. Players like Conor Turbitt, Rob Finnerty, Oisín Gallen, Ben Crealey, Rian O’Neill, and Oisín Conaty have contributed a lot to their teams’ successes. We expect that they will contribute more to the entertainment of viewers all over the globe. Their performance will also serve as inspiration for many young players who are hoping to be a part of the big leagues.