There has been a lot of talk about retirements lately, and players opting to take a year out to travel, or for personal reasons.

Cork have been badly hit with a couple of retirements, and now one of their top shooters Steven Sherlock is has confirmed that he is taking a sabbatical, so it looks like they will be slightly weaker next year.

Laois have also been badly hit with the news that Evan O’Carroll has picked up a serious injury that will rule him out of the 2025 season, and everyone is talking about the big legend-shaped hole that James McCarthy will leave in Dublin.

However, it isn’t all doom, gloom, and departures, as some GAA stars are actually coming back into the fold, and although we didn’t get to see them in 2024, we are already excited to see them in action in 2025.

Michael Murphy

In 2022 when Michael Murphy announced his retirement, the whole county of Donegal were pining for the glory days of 2012, when they were captained by the Glenswilly man, and managed by Jim McGuinness.

There must be a genie somewhere in the hills of Donegal waiting patiently to make a third wish, because he almost certainly granted two already, as Murphy and McGuinness are teaming up once again in 2025.

The flying forward looked like he had settled into life as a pundit, but with the rule changes coming into affect, and the possibility of playing as a forward without tracking back now a likelihood, the county hero couldn’t resist another crack at the whip.

Mark Bradley

Tyrone have become so accustomed to players leaving their panel over the past few years that when they read a headline that included the name ‘Mark Bradley’ and the words ‘Tyrone panel’, they assumed that he somehow left the panel twice.

However, the opposite is true, the Killyclogher man is back after enjoying an incredible club season that saw him play some truly magical football, and with Malachy O’Rourke in charge, a new era is beginning in the Red Han county.

Ciaran Murtagh

The Roscommon star stepped away before the ’24 season began, saying that he couldn’t give 100% commitment to the squad that year for several personal reasons.

However, people got excited when he made himself available to play for Connacht in the inter-provincial series that tested the new rules, and he didn’t look like he had missed a beat.

Now it is confirmed that the sharp shooter will indeed return for Roscommon next season, and Davy Burke will be the happiest man Connacht to hear that news.

Davy Byrne

Imagine winning eight All-Irelands, with only three players in the history of the game to have won more, and you still feel the need to come back and play – that is the case for David Byrne.

The dynamic defender has been a mainstay in the Dublin squad for the most successful years in their history, but last year decided to opt out to go travelling.

Now the Dubliner is set to make a return, and with McCarthy leaving, his comeback will be an even more welcomed addition.

Austin Gleeson

Waterford star Austin Gleeson stepped away from the inter-county scene last year, stating that he “just wasn’t enjoying it anymore.”

However, the 2016 Hurler of the Year has confirmed that he will return for next season, and with new management in place, Waterford fans can start feeling excited about the year 2025.