It's official, Armagh and Galway are the two best teams in the country in 2024, and all of your stats, ifs, buts and maybes won't do anything to change that.
On Sunday we will find out which of the two sides will emerge as All-Ireland champions, with both teams starved of the Sam Maguire for more than 20 years.
Just because we love receiving criticism in the comments section, we thought that we would make our own combined XV out of the two teams, and we can't wait for you to tell us why we're wrong.
Here goes nothing:
1. Blaine Hughes
![Armagh Galway](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8yNjE2MDExMlxcXC8yODc0MjI4LWUxNzIyMDA2MTEwMjcxLmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjY0MFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0NTRcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6ImJmMDQ0Nzk5MTlmNmY1YjE3MjNlMDZmZDI2NGJkZGM1MWFlM2JhOGEifQ==/all-ireland-final-armagh-and-galway-combined-xv.jpg)
Although Darren Gleeson has enjoyed a brilliant season, we just felt that Hughes stood out that little bit more, particularly in the semi-final where his kick outs were incredible.
2. Johnny McGrath
![Armagh Galway](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8yNjE2MDM1N1xcXC8yODc1NDUxLWUxNzIyMDA2MjUyODI4LmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjY0MFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0NDJcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjZiODgzMWU2NjMyNmJjOTllZjM0MDQ2NjMyYTI3MzY5MTA0NTA1NDcifQ==/all-ireland-final-armagh-and-galway-combined-xv.jpg)
An easy choice for the number two spot, as Johnny McGrath hasn't put a foot wrong this season.
3. Aaron McKay
![Armagh Galway](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8yNjE2MDU1NlxcXC8yODgxMjYzLWUxNzIyMDA2MzcwMjUxLmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjY0MFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0NjdcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjFjZmMwMzI3Y2E0ZjUwNjIxMGY0YTkyZTc3MjExNmE2ZTBhNTc3NmEifQ==/all-ireland-final-armagh-and-galway-combined-xv.jpg)
The Armagh full back has really announced himself as one of the best number threes in the country and surely has his All-Star nailed on unless something disastrous happens in the final.
4. Sean Mulkerrin
![Armagh Galway](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8yNjE2MDg1NFxcXC8yODc2NTgyLWUxNzIyMDA2NTU0NTM2LmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjY0MFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0NjZcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6ImI2MmJhNjY4MjY3MzNhMmYzZmFkZTc2NDIzYWNiMGUxOWQ5NDk4ODAifQ==/all-ireland-final-armagh-and-galway-combined-xv.jpg)
Speed, power and a great reader of the game, Mulkerrin is exactly the sort of player that you would want in your full back line.
5. Barry McCambridge
![Armagh Galway](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8yNjE2MTEwOFxcXC8yODYwODg1LWUxNzIyMDA2NjgwNjAwLmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjY0MFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0MTdcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjQwNjA0MmNiYzk3YzgzODM5YWQwNTIyMjJmNjFiZmVhZDNiYWY3NmMifQ==/all-ireland-final-armagh-and-galway-combined-xv.jpg)
It's hard to believe that the goal-hungry wing back wasn't even in the starting team against Donegal in the Ulster final, but now is one of the first names on the team sheet.
McCambridge did an incredible job against David Clifford and is just as deadly going forward as he is at defending.
6. Dylan McHugh
![Armagh Galway](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8yNjE2MTMzM1xcXC8yODgxNjkxLWUxNzIyMDA2ODI3NTk3LmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjY0MFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0NDJcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjY2Yzg3M2Q4NjdiYWY4ZmIyNTAyZDBlYWEyNzc2MzViYWY0ZmFkMmIifQ==/all-ireland-final-armagh-and-galway-combined-xv.jpg)
Probably the front runner to win the Player of the Year award this season, so that tells you everything you need to know about the season that Dylan McHugh is having.
7. Aidan Forker
![Armagh Galway](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8yNjE2MTUxMVxcXC8yODczMjI0LWUxNzIyMDA2OTI0NTYyLmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjY0MFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0NjRcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6ImM3MGNiNTNjYjQzYjQxMDFkOGY2ZDE0MGY3Y2EzMmFkZDY5ZmJmOTEifQ==/all-ireland-final-armagh-and-galway-combined-xv.jpg)
The Armagh captain has been given a more advanced role this season, and we are really seeing him shine as an attacking wing-back, kicking some beautiful scores in the process.
8. Paul Conroy
![Armagh Galway](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8yNjE2MjE0MFxcXC8yODgzMDU5LWUxNzIyMDA3MzE4ODQ2LmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjY0MFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0MTJcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjliNjJiNzIwZDBlYzk5YzRlZDBiM2QzYTRiM2E2OWExNTdjNGE1NzAifQ==/all-ireland-final-armagh-and-galway-combined-xv.jpg)
They so no man can beat Father Time but Paul Conroy is having a fair stab at it and has been absolutely sensational this season.
9. Niall Grimley
![Armagh Galway](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8yNjE2MjExNlxcXC8yODc0MjI0LWUxNzIyMDA3NDA1OTA3LmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjY0MFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0MzNcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjE2NDExY2IyMTk2YjU2YTAzYmQwNTFmMmJhOGYxNzA3Y2ZmMjc2ZjcifQ==/all-ireland-final-armagh-and-galway-combined-xv.jpg)
His monster catch in midfield against Kerry was almost reason enough to put him in this team, but throughout the whole season he has been brilliant and deserving of his place on this side.
10. Cillian McDaid
![Armagh Galway](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8yNjE2MjEzN1xcXC8yODgxNjEyLWUxNzIyMDA3MzQ2NjQzLmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjY0MFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0NzdcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjcxZjg1Y2NhN2RkOWVjOGFkYWJjOTQ4Y2M2NjhjNjk5YjYxYjk4YWQifQ==/all-ireland-final-armagh-and-galway-combined-xv.jpg)
The man who only knows how to score sensational points, whenever McDaid is swinging his leg back to take a shot, you just know that it is going to be a good one.
11. Rian O'Neill
![Armagh Galway](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8yNjE2MjExOVxcXC8yODc0Mjg2LWUxNzIyMDA3Mzg5NTQ2LmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjY0MFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0NzFcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6ImQ2NmIzMWQyZDFjZjQ4ZDI5M2Q1MWY1ZjEwMzZhZTgxNGJjMGJhMDgifQ==/all-ireland-final-armagh-and-galway-combined-xv.jpg)
Although a little quieter than normal at the start of the championship, O'Neill has consistently came up with the big plays on the big occasions, and was the hero when Armagh shocked everyone by beating Kerry in the semi-finals.
12. Shane Walsh
![Armagh Galway](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8yNjE2MjEyM1xcXC8yODc1NDIzLWUxNzIyMDA3MzczMjI4LmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjY0MFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0NThcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjcyOTQyM2QyNDlkZDA5NTc2OTk0MWNiNTkyOTQ1MmNiNzc0OWFhN2QifQ==/all-ireland-final-armagh-and-galway-combined-xv.jpg)
Three points in the Connacht final, 1-04 against Westmeath including a goal right at the death to win it, and an unbelievable seven points against Dublin in the quarter-final stages to pull off the shock of the season - there are people who don't think Shane Walsh should make this team, but we are not those people.
13. Conor Tubitt
![Armagh Galway](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8yNjE2MjExMlxcXC8yODY5MDM4LWUxNzIyMDA3NDE2Nzg5LmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjY0MFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0NjZcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjQ2MzJiN2RkOGE0NzU1MTViZTIzZDJjOWQ4YmNjMjBkZDRiYzhmNGUifQ==/all-ireland-final-armagh-and-galway-combined-xv.jpg)
They call him 'Turbo' for a reason and after announcing himself on the scene last season, he has really stepped it up to another level in 2024.
When he came back on against Kerry in extra time, he was the difference between the two teams, and the difference between Armagh making a final or not.
14. Damien Comer
![Armagh Galway](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8yNjE2MjEyN1xcXC8yODc1NzMyLWUxNzIyMDA3MzU5MzkyLmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjY0MFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0NzBcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjZkMWY3NTU3MWRlYzEyOWNjNmZiZjkxNjExYjBhNjlkMjU1ZjQ2N2YifQ==/all-ireland-final-armagh-and-galway-combined-xv.jpg)
Although he has only scored five points in this championship, he is absolutely integral to Galway, and always finds a way of having an important impact on the game.
The Tribesmen simply play better when he is on the pitch, he can win his own ball, high or low, has an eye for goal, wins fouls and links up play brilliantly.
15. Robert Finnerty
![Armagh Galway](https://img.resized.co/balls_ie/eyJkYXRhIjoie1widXJsXCI6XCJodHRwczpcXFwvXFxcL21lZGlhLmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL3VwbG9hZHNcXFwvMjAyNFxcXC8wN1xcXC8yNjE2MjE0M1xcXC8yODgzMDY4LWUxNzIyMDA3MzMyMTY4LmpwZ1wiLFwid2lkdGhcIjpcIjY0MFwiLFwiaGVpZ2h0XCI6XCI0ODdcIixcImRlZmF1bHRcIjpcImh0dHBzOlxcXC9cXFwvd3d3LmJhbGxzLmllXFxcL2ltYWdlc1xcXC9icmFuZC1pbWFnZS5qcGdcIixcIm9wdGlvbnNcIjp7XCJvdXRwdXRcIjpcIndlYnBcIixcInF1YWxpdHlcIjo5OX19IiwiaGFzaCI6IjhkMWViNWEyYzkwZjc2ZjFlODdkNTI5YWRmNmU3NGFkM2E5NDFlYWEifQ==/all-ireland-final-armagh-and-galway-combined-xv.jpg)
In the past Galway were far too reliant on Shane Walsh and Damien Comer, but now with Robert Finnerty stepping up to the mantle, they are a triple threat in the full forward line.