Ireland internationals Aoife Wafer and Tadhg Beirne have been named the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s and Men’s Players of the Year, recognising their outstanding performances for club and country during the 2024/25 season.
It marks a second consecutive win for Wafer, the 22-year-old Ireland and Harlequins back-row, who capped another impressive year with a standout display in Ireland’s WXV1 victory over New Zealand, the 2025 Guinness Six Nations Player of the Championship award, and a determined return from injury to feature in the Rugby World Cup.
Munster captain Beirne collected the men’s award for the first time after another season of consistent excellence. The 33-year-old’s performances for Ireland and Munster were matched by his form for the British and Irish Lions, where he was named Player of the Series in their Test victory over Australia.
Andy Farrell’s British and Irish Lions side received the Dave Guiney Team of the Year award after their series triumph, which featured a record 18 Irish players, including 12 who appeared in the Tests.
Ireland’s Hannah Clarke and Dylan O’Grady were named Women’s and Men’s Sevens Players of the Year, respectively. Clarke, 20, was Ireland’s top try-scorer in her debut season and scored the match-winner for Connacht in the interprovincial third-place playoff. O’Grady’s award followed a prolific campaign, highlighted by his standout performance against New Zealand in Singapore.
Former IRFU National Talent Development Manager Hendrik Kruger received the Tom Rooney Award for his long-standing contribution to Irish rugby, from grassroots development to elite player pathways. Nenagh Ormond RFC were named Club of the Year following back-to-back promotions to the All-Ireland League Division 1A and their historic Munster Senior Challenge Cup victory.
Hall of Fame honours went to former Ireland internationals Nora Stapleton and Nigel Carr, recognised for their achievements on the field and continued impact off it. Media figures Frank Quinn and John D. O’Brien were jointly awarded the Fred Cogley Award for their contributions to rugby journalism.
Rugby Writers of Ireland Chair John Fallon said the awards “celebrate a remarkable season for Irish rugby,” highlighting the continued progress of the women’s team, another Triple Crown for the men, and the depth of talent across all formats.
Rory Sheridan, Head of Partnerships for Diageo, praised the winners and the Rugby Writers of Ireland for “capturing and sharing the stories that make Irish rugby so special.”
Wafer said she was “honoured to be recognised again,” adding that while Ireland’s World Cup finish was disappointing, “the experience has only strengthened our determination to improve and come back stronger.”
Beirne described the award as “a huge honour,” saying: “It’s been a memorable year. No individual reward in rugby comes without the efforts of teammates at club and national level, and I’m excited to kick on with them for what’s ahead.”
Nora Stapleton was inducted into the Hall of Fame on the night as well.
Image Credit: IRFU and Inpho.ie
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