Who are the GAA's Player of the Year candidates?

It is award season in GAA with the winners of Footballer and Hurler of the Year gongs set to be revealed at a banquet in the RDS on Friday.

BBC Sport NI breaks down who is up for the big trophies for 2024.

Barry McCambridge (Armagh)

As Armagh won the Sam Maguire for a first time since 2002, Barry McCambridge was a vital part of Kieran McGeeney's team.

In the Orchard County backline the Clann Eireann man was handed the responsibility for keeping the likes of Shane McGuigan, David Clifford and Shane Walsh quiet and rose to the task on each occasion.

He developed a habit of popping up with important scores too, most memorably with goals against Roscommon and in the semi-final victory over Kerry.

Paul Conroy (Galway)

Having made his Galway senior debut back in 2008, veteran midfielder Paul Conroy was again a leading light for the Tribesmen in 2024.

The St James’ clubman was named Player of the Match in his county's All-Ireland series victories over Derry and Monaghan before providing three points from play in the final defeat to Armagh.

Now 35-years-old, Padraic Joyce will be hoping he has another few seasons left in the Galway engine room.

John Maher (Galway)

Similar to Armagh's McCambridge, John Maher's was a name on few lips when the season began.

After a few years in and out of the panel, he had looked to have nailed down his place in the Galway midfield by the end of last year's championship.

This season, however, he was influential for the county, as his strong running marked him out as one of the most influential championship performers.

Shane O’Donnell (Clare)

Eleven years on from bursting onto the scene with 3-3 in an All-Ireland final replay victory over Cork, Shane O'Donnell led the Banner county to another Liam McCarthy Cup.

Despite dealing with a hamstring injury, the 30-year-old helped drag his side back into the contest before succumbing to cramp during extra-time.

He has since confirmed he will be back in the panel for 2025, although it seems likely it could be his last in saffron and blue.

Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork)

Darragh Fitzgibbon was integral in bringing Cork to a second All-Ireland final in four years.

Now with eight campaigns under his belt, the Charleville clubman provided a vital creative element to the Cork midfield.

His semi-final performance against Limerick in particular was a highlight of his season.

Fitzgibbon and his Cork colleagues seemed set for the county's first All-Ireland title since 2005 as they led by seven points early on but Clare fought back to clinch a dramatic one-point victory in extra-time.

Kyle Hayes (Limerick)

Limerick were unable to make history with a fifth consecutive All-Ireland title but Kyle Hayes remained central for the Treaty County.

To the fore in Limerick's sixth straight Munster title, Hayes starred against Waterford and Tipperary in the provincial championship and was superb in the final against Clare.

Against Cork in the All-Ireland semi-finals however, the Rebel County devoted plenty of attention to negating Hayes' impact in their 1-28 to 0-29 win.