Players that took part in the second tier hurling competitions this year have been honoured with a Champion 15 Award in each of the Lory Meagher, Nicky Rackard and Christy Ring tournaments.
This is the first year that a selection of 45 players has been chosen from the Ring, Rackard and Meagher competitions.
It is a positive step that will also create a template for greater recognition of footballers who will be competing in the new second-tier All Ireland competition in the big ball code next summer.
The new selection process has introduced player and coach feedback and has been finalised by an independent selection committee of journalists and referees.
Players competing in the Joe McDonagh Cup were considered in the PwC All-Stars for the Liam MacCarthy.
The Awards have been backed up with some visually striking social media content, spreading the recognition of the players.

The Champion 15 selection will be awarded as part of the PwC All-Stars event in Dublin’s Convention Centre on Friday 1st November.

In all 20 counties feature on the list of 45 nominees from the three competitions.

Christy Ring Champions Meath are well represented with six nominees while beaten finalists Down have four nominees. The six other competing counties in the competition are also represented.

Eight counties from the Nicky Rackard Championship make the shortlist with Sligo taking four places after their title success.

Leitrim’s victory in the Lory Meagher Final sees them claim five spots with captain Declan Molloy seeking a second consecutive Champion 15 award. Lancashire’s Ronan Crowley also makes the cut after scoring 1-9 in their final defeat to Leitrim.

“I am delighted to see the excellence of these players honoured and their inclusion on the list of 45 is an acknowledgement of their commitment to the game and some of the superb matches they featured in over the course of the summer,” said GAA President John Horan.

“It’s been a truly memorable year of hurling so it’s important that we recognise the talent that these players have and worked hard for,” added Gaelic Players Association Chairman Paul Flynn.

 



Image Credit: Inpho.ie