Cian Lynch of Limerick and Kieran McGeary of Tyrone are this year’s PwC GAA/GPA Players of the Year in hurling and football.

In a vote carried out among inter-county players, Lynch and McGeary saw off stiff competition for the overall awards.

For Patrickswell hero Cian Lynch it is a momentous achievement as it follows his selection as hurler of the year in 2018 and is coupled with his selection as centre-forward on the PwC All-Star hurling team earlier last week. The Limerick star is the first hurler since Kilkenny legend and three-time winner Henry Shefflin to have won the overall award more than once in modern times.

From the Pomeroy club, Kieran McGeary was at the heart of Tyrone’s march to Sam Maguire glory in the summer and was chosen at centre-back on the PwC All-Star football team of 2021.

This additional acknowledgement means he follows county men Seán Cavanagh (2008), Stephen O’Neill (2005) and Peter Canavan (1995) as previous Footballers of the Year from the O’Neill County.

The PwC GAA/GPA Young Players of the Year have also been announced and are notable in that they see titles successfully retained. Kilkenny forward Eoin Cody of Ballyhale Shamrocks is the winner of the hurling award with Oisín Mullin from Kilmaine in Mayo also chosen for the second year running as the football winner.

Tyrone’s stunning finish to the football season has been reflected in the PwC All-Stars for football 2021 where the Red Hand County have been awarded eight prestigious places on a team that features nine first-time winners.

Lee Keegan’s iconic status in Mayo football is further enhanced with a fifth career PwC All-Star award and there is an award for tigerish Kerry defender Tom O’Sullivan. Tyrone shot-stopper Niall Morgan is joined by four county men at the back in Padraig Hampsey, Conor Meyler, Kieran McGeary and Peter Harte.

The midfield partnership sees Tyrone’s Brian Kennedy joined by Mayo ace Matthew Ruane.

Niall Sludden and Darren McCurry continue the Tyrone representation in an attack headlined by Kerry’s brothers Paudie and David Clifford.

After nine awards last year, Castleknock’s Ciarán Kilkenny is Dublin’s sole PwC All-Star in 2021 and becomes a five-time All-Star in the process.

Mayo flier Ryan O’Donoghue completes the forward unit of a final 15 comprised solely of players from the four provincial championship winners.

“For the second year running our games at club and county level have been a source of joy for people in the midst of the pandemic, and I want to thank them most sincerely for their dedication and their endeavours,” said GAA President Larry McCarthy.

“Over the last 50 years the All-Stars has become synonymous with excellence in Gaelic games, and I thank our partners in PwC for their assistance in promoting these iconic awards.”

“In this historic year, marking 50 years of the All-Stars, I would like to offer the heartiest congratulations to the winners of the 2021 PwC All-Star football awards from everyone at PwC,” added Managing Partner Feargal O’Rourke.

“An All-Star award is due recognition of an outstanding season, something these players, their families and clubs are all no doubt hugely proud of. Each of the winners is thoroughly deserving of this honour, an acknowledgement of both their individual displays and their ability to play as part of a team.”

“We would also like to pay tribute to Cian Lynch and Kieran McGeary, the winners of the PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Year awards for hurling and football respectively. As All-Ireland champions, to stand out above everyone else really is the mark of an outstanding season”

“The excitement, colour and drama the players brought us in what was at times a very difficult year for the country is hugely appreciated,” said Tom Parsons, CEO of the Gaelic Players Association.

The winners were announced live as part of a special programme on RTÉ television which replaced the traditional awards ceremony banquet, which was cancelled due to the pandemic.

 

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