Five Armagh players have been nominated for PwC All-Star awards for their performances throughout the 2025 season. Ethan Rafferty, Ross McQuillan, Jarly Og Burns, Oisin Conaty and Rory Grugan have all been shortlisted.
Armagh surrendered their All-Ireland crown at the quarter-final stage to eventual champions Kerry. They also lost out to Donegal in the Ulster final but secured their Division One status for another campaign.
Conaty is hoping to add a second All-Star award to his trophy cabinet after another fantastic campaign. Along with his All-Ireland medal last year, he also won an All-Star and the Young Footballer of the Year gong.
The Tir na nOg clubman has gone from strength to strength in the orange and white since making his inter-county debut in 2023. He has one again been nominated for Young Player of the Year.
Ross McQuillan was fantastic for Armagh in 2025 and played perhaps the best season of his career to date. The new rules suited his pace, power and scoring ability and he showcased all his skills in 2025.
McQuillan has carried that form into the club season and Cullyhanna have won all four of their championship games. His 50 yard goal against St Peter’s last weekend was the highlight of the game.
Pace and power
Like McQuillan in the half back line, the new playing rules really brought the best out of Jarly Og Burns. He nailed down a regular first team spot this season, flying down the flank and adding real purpose to Armagh’s play.
His work rate up and down the field throughout the course of the year was extraordinary. Not only that, but the Silverbridge man was well fit to kick a score once he got himself in front of the posts and split the posts in most games.
Rory Grugan has been a mainstay in the Armagh team and remains perhaps the best playmaker in the game. The Ballymacnab had a series of phenomenal displays throughout the course of the year.
Hit was his late strike against Tyrone that saw the Orchard County get one over their old rivals in the Ulster semi-final. His best showing of the lot was in Croke Park when Armagh defeated Dublin in the group stages.
Rafferty has really grown into the goalkeepers role and has transformed himself into one of the best in the country. He is Armagh’s nailed on number one at this stage and has constantly performed at the highest level.
He was outstanding in the Ulster Championship final against Donegal, despite Armagh coming up short. Rafferty pulled off a number of stunning saves as well in Armagh’s group game victory over Derry.