The 2025 Gaelic football comeback kings XV
Left: Michael Murphy, Murtagh James From Keane, Menton, Bryan Clockwise Madden, Peter Top Ciaráin
Donegal's Michael Murphy isn't the only top inter-county footballer to decide to roll the clock back in 2025 and give it another go. From goalkeeper Paddy Dunican in Offaly to Eoin Cleary in Clare to Tyrone's pocket rocket point poacher Mark Bradley, an entire team of players have opted to cross the whitewash again next year. Here's how they might line out in a combined Comeback Kings XV for 2025.
The Shamrocks man hasn't played for Offaly since 2022 and had spells in Australia and America in the meantime. He returned in goals for new joint managers Mickey Harte and Declan Kelly in a pre-Christmas challenge, lining out for a Faithful Selection.
Dessie Farrell broke the news last January that Byrne was taking 2024 off to travel. But he's back for 2025 and with eight All-Ireland medals, and still only 30, he could yet end up as the most successful Gaelic footballer ever. James McCarthy, who recently retired, Stephen Cluxton and Mick Fitzsimons are the only footballers ahead of him with nine medals.
The former Dublin hurling captain has unfinished football business, hence his decision to cross codes for a second time. O'Donnell joined the footballers briefly after the 2022 hurling season was over and made one football Championship appearance as a sub against Cork. A decent option up front for Dessie Farrell too.
The Gweedore man has been recalled by Jim McGuinness and badly deserves a break after an injury interrupted few years. McFadden Ferry started in defence for Donegal when they won the 2019 Ulster final but hasn't featured since 2022 because of an ACL setback that season, followed by another knee problem earlier this year.
The former Pomeroy captain, 32, made the bench for Tyrone's 2021 All-Ireland final win but left the squad after that, citing travel commitments. He's based in Down and after switching to the Rostrevor club has now agreed to an intriguing Mourne County call up.
This 'comeback', admittedly, mightn't actually materialise. But after six years in the AFL, it would be a surprise if Dessie Farrell doesn't try Madden out. The Ballyboden man, 25, played 13 times in defence for Brisbane. Blessed with pace, he has also played in Leinster minor and U-20 finals and an All-Ireland club SFC semi-final.
The 2020 Ulster SFC winner and All-Star nominee can play anywhere from midfield to full-forward, giving boss Raymond Galligan various options. He previously stepped away after 12 years in blue in 2023. The new two-point arc may have influenced his decision to return because long-range scores are his speciality.
New Meath manager Robbie Brennan wasted no time in recalling the Donaghmore-Ashbourne powerhouse who last played for Meath in the 2022 Championship loss to Clare. The 33-year-old captained Meath in the past and skippered his club to Feis Cup success last April.
The best Clare footballer of the last decade? It could well be Sexton who is back after a year out. He played for Kilmurry-Ibrickane in October's county final though is based in Dublin as a solicitor and is transferring to Na Fianna. Another player with an ability to kick two-pointers for fun.
The former captain was among a group that stepped away when Colm Collins quit as manager in 2023. He won a Chicago championship last summer with Wolfe Tones and later played for Munster in the FRC's Interprovincial tournament. A quality free-taker, he struck the winner in the 2016 Division 3 league final win over Kildare.
After starring in 2022, Connacht finalist Murtagh opted to skip 2023 with Roscommon and instead won a Boston GAA championship with Donegal Boston in August. He played for Connacht in the interprovincial tournament in November and has signed on for 2025 with Davy Burke.
A bold move by all concerned but given the potential rewards, it's worth a punt. Murphy and Jim McGuinness have undeniable chemistry while the new rules should play to Murphy's obvious ability close to goal. It's worth remembering that this time last winter, Murphy said his Donegal days were over. "It's job done, 100 percent," he insisted.
The two-time All-Ireland finalist, 30, was recorded as five-foot-seven for the 2018 decider. Killyclogher's Bradley hasn't played since the 2021 season, when Tyrone won Sam, but if Malachy O'Rourke can find an outlet for his diminutive proportions, it could be a memorable comeback.
The Kerryman has jumped back into the inter-county arena with Clare having left the Kerry hot-seat in September 2021 after three incident packed seasons. High profile losses to Cork (2020) and Tyrone (2021) were lowlights of his Kerry reign but they played terrific football in 2019, as good as anything they've produced since.