The club season may be dominating off the field in gaelic games at the moment but the inter county scene popped back up again this week with the nominations announced for the PwC All Stars in Men’s Football, Hurling and Camogie.C
Clare’s epic 2024 season, which saw them capture the Liam MacCarthy Cup for the first time since 2013 and the Allianz League title for the first time since 2016, sees them deservingly dominate the list of PwC Hurling All-Stars nominees announced today.
The Banner contingent is the standout group among the 45 names released as contenders for the prestigious PwC GAA/GPA Awards. There are 14 players nominated across all areas of the field.
In addition, star forward Shane O’Donnell is nominated for PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year – where he is joined by Cork’s midfield dynamo Darragh Fitzgibbon and Limerick’s defensive rock Kyle Hayes for the overall award. The PwC GAA/GPA Young Hurler of the Year nominees are Clare’s Adam Hogan, Cork’s Eoin Downey and Limerick’s Cathal O’Neill.
There are eight counties represented in total. The breakdown is Clare 14, Cork 10, Limerick nine, Kilkenny four, with Waterford, Wexford, Dublin and Antrim having two representatives each.
All-Ireland champions Armagh have had their Sam Maguire success reflected in the list of nominations in the PwC Football All-Stars for 2024 announced today.
The Orchard County is celebrating 11 places in the list of 45 that represent the cream of the crop from the football season.
In addition, star defender Barry McCambridge has been nominated for PwC GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year where he is joined on the shortlist by Galway duo Paul Conroy and John Maher. Armagh are also represented in the hunt for PwC GAA/GPA Young Player of the Year where Oisín Conaty is joined by Galway’s Johnny McGrath and Donegal’s Ciarán Moore.
Goalkeeper is an all-Ulster affair where Niall Morgan, Shaun Patton and Blaine Hughes are nominated.
Armagh lead the way in defence, midfield and attack, with Connacht champions and beaten All-Ireland finalists Galway claiming eight spots, and Ulster champions and Allianz League Division Two champions Donegal well represented with seven places.
Last year’s champions Dublin have four nominees with Kerry brothers David and Paudie Clifford again shortlisted for All-Star glory and joined by Brian Ó Beaglaioch and Tom O’Sullivan.
Elsewhere it is a landmark year for Louth who have one of their best ever representations with Craig Lennon and Donal McKenny nominated in defence, Tommy Durnin shortlisted in midfield and Sam Mulroy included in attack.
Mayo are represented by forwards Aidan O’Shea and Ryan O’Donoghue, Diarmuid Murtagh and Brian Stack are Roscommon’s representatives, Cork have defender Daniel O’Mahony flying their flag, while Darragh Canavan maintains his families proud All-Star links. There are 11 counties represented in total.
In Camogie the Glen Dimplex All Ireland Champions Cork tally a total of 12 nominations, recognising the talented players who made extraordinary contributions to the season. Galway, who made a triumphant return to the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Senior final this year, three years after climbing the Hogan steps themselves, follow closely behind Cork having received a total of 11 nominations.
Tipperary, who narrowly missed out on a place in this year’s senior final after their one-point defeat in the semi-final to Galway received seven nods, closely followed by Dublin with four players recognised for their fantastic contributions in helping Dublin to their first Senior semi-final in seven years this season.
Last year’s All-Ireland finalists Waterford received two nominations, after their efforts this year saw them reach an All-Ireland Senior quarter-final.
“This recognition will mean a lot to the families and clubs of those represented, ” said GAA President Jarlath Burns.
“I want to acknowledge the support of PwC and the GPA for ensuring that the All-Stars continues to be such an important part of the GAA’s annual calendar.”
“In a year of excellence, these 45 nominees in each of the codes were adjudged to have been the stand-out performers and for that, each and every one of them should be extremely proud,” added Tom Parsons, CEO of the Gaelic Players Association.
“On behalf of everyone at PwC, I extend heartfelt congratulations to the players named as 2024 PwC All-Star nominees. Each of you has made remarkable contributions to your team’s performances throughout the championship, inspiring future generations of players, ” concluded Enda McDonagh, Managing Partner at PwC.
The nominations were chosen by a panel of Gaelic Games journalists from across, print, radio, TV and digital media. The All-Stars scheme dates back to 1971, and the PwC Hurling and Football All-Stars will be announced live on RTÉ at a special banquet in the RDS on Friday, November 1st – the 140th anniversary of the formation of the GAA. The PwC Camogie All Stars will be named two weeks later on November 15th
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