PwC’s long-term commitment to recognising excellence in Gaelic Games will again take centre stage this Friday night, as the 2025 PwC All-Stars are formally presented at a gala ceremony in Dublin’s RDS, live on RTÉ.
History Flashback: PwC to Back All Stars from September 2017
All-Ireland champions Tipperary lead the way with a magnificent seven places on the PwC All-Star Hurling Team of the Year, in what is a landmark selection featuring 10 first-time winners – the highest number of debutants since 2013.
Rhys Shelly, an outstanding performer throughout Tipperary’s title-winning campaign, was the unanimous choice in goal after a season where his long-range scoring and composure stood out. He anchors a team rich in talent and achievement, drawn from five counties.
Kilkenny’s Huw Lawlor collects his third All-Star at full-back, flanked by Tipp’s Robert Doyle and Cork’s Seán O’Donoghue. The Premier’s defensive stalwart Ronan Maher secures his third career award at centre-back, alongside teammates Eoghan Connolly and Cork’s Ciaran Joyce.
In midfield, Darragh Fitzgibbon of Cork earns a second successive All-Star after his 0-16 haul and leadership through the championship, partnered by Galway’s prolific Cathal Mannion, whose 2-67 tally lit up the summer.
The forward line showcases both firepower and freshness. Tipperary’s Jake Morris is named at wing forward, marking the 1,600th All-Star ever awarded since the scheme’s inception in 1971. He is joined by debutant Andrew Ormond at centre forward and Dublin’s Cian O’Sullivan, recognised for his 5-22 from play.
Kilkenny’s Martin Keoghan continues a family legacy by joining his father Liam (a 1997 winner) on the All-Star roll, while John McGrath of Tipperary earns his second career All-Star after a season that saw him score 7-16 from play, including 2-2 in the final. Rounding out the attack is Cork’s powerhouse Brian Hayes, who scored 5-9 in a breakthrough campaign.
The county breakdown is Tipperary seven, Cork four, Kilkenny two, and one each for Dublin and Galway.
The selections were made by a panel of GAA correspondents across print, broadcast, and digital media, chaired by Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns, who praised the honourees:
“To be a PwC All-Star is our highest and most prestigious individual award. It recognises those players who made an impact on our games that helped define a season and will stand the test of time. I congratulate the 15 magnificent hurlers who have been so honoured and salute the clubs, schools and coaches who have helped mould them into the stars they have become.”
Gaelic Players’ Association CEO Tom Parsons added:
“To be selected as a PwC All-Star is a testament to your individual excellence across 2025. Your energy, effort, skill and dedication have been acknowledged by these awards, and that’s something in which you can take great pride.”
Enda McDonagh, Managing Partner at PwC Ireland, reaffirmed the firm’s long-standing commitment to the partnership:
“Congratulations to the 2025 PwC All-Star Hurling Team of the Year. To be selected as the top 15 players in the country is a testament to your skill, dedication and impact on the game, and you should feel incredibly proud of what you’ve achieved.”
The ceremony will also see the PwC GAA/GPA Player and Young Player of the Year Awards in both hurling and football announced, voted on exclusively by inter-county players.
Nominees for Hurler of the Year are John McGrath and Jake Morris of Tipperary, alongside Brian Hayes of Cork. The Young Hurler of the Year shortlist features Adam English (Limerick) and Tipperary duo Darragh McCarthy and Robert Doyle.
A special PwC All-Stars Show will stream on the GAA’s YouTube channel from 6–7pm, ahead of the live broadcast on RTÉ from 7.30pm.
PwC All-Stars Hurling Team 2025
(Previous winning years in brackets)
Rhys Shelly (Tipperary)
Robert Doyle (Tipperary)
Huw Lawlor (Kilkenny) (2022, 2023)
Seán O’Donoghue (Cork)
Eoghan Connolly (Tipperary)
Ronan Maher (Tipperary) (2016, 2019)
Ciaran Joyce (Cork)
Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork) (2018, 2024)
Cathal Mannion (Galway) (2015)
Jake Morris (Tipperary)
Andrew Ormond (Tipperary)
Cian O’Sullivan (Dublin)
Martin Keoghan (Kilkenny)
John McGrath (Tipperary) (2016)
Brian Hayes (Cork)
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