Nine Limerick hurlers nominated for PWC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards

NINE Limerick hurlers have been nominated for PwC All-Stars awards in the list of 45 players announced this Friday morning.

In addition to the nine Limerick players short-listed for awards, defender Kyle Hayes is nominated for PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year along with Clare's Shane O'Donnell and Cork's Darragh Fitzgibbon.

Limerick's Cathal O'Neill is in the running to claim the PwC GAA/GPA Young Hurler of the Year along with Clare’s Adam Hogan and Cork’s Eoin Downey.

All-Ireland champions Clare have 14 players nominated among the 45 short-listed for prestigious PwC GAA/GPA Awards.

The Limerick players selected are goalkeeper Nickie Quaid, defenders Dan Morrissey, Kyle Hayes and Barry Nash, midfielder Cathal O'Neill and forwards Gearóid Hegarty, Tom Morrissey, Aaron Gillane and David Reidy.

There are eight counties represented in total. The breakdown for the remaining counties are Cork 10, Kilkenny four, with Waterford, Wexford, Dublin and Antrim having two representatives each.

The winners of the PwC Hurling All-Stars will be announced live on RTÉ tv at a special banquet in the RDS on Friday, November 1, the 140^th anniversary of the formation of the GAA.

Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “After yet another sensational season of hurling, it was no easy task to whittle that stellar field to this list of 45 and that is why I want to salute all of those who have been shortlisted for a PwC Hurling All-Star today. This panel of players were influential in providing us with a summer that gave us so much joy through their feats of hurling skill.

“This recognition will mean a lot to their families and clubs, and I also congratulate our nominees for the PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year and Young Hurler of the Year. 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.”

GPA CEO Tom Parsons said: “What a year it has been for hurling, capped off by a final for the ages in which Clare and Cork served up a reminder, as if it were needed, of how blessed we are all across Ireland and across the world, to call this game ‘ours’.

“In a year of excellence, these 45 nominees were adjudged to have been the stand-out performers and for that, each and every one of them should be extremely proud. Congratulations to you all.

“And to the three PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Year nominations and the three in the running in the young player category, the very best of luck.”

Enda McDonagh, Managing Partner, PwC, said: "On behalf of everyone at PwC, I extend heartfelt congratulations to the hurlers 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 hurling stars. Being nominated is a well-deserved recognition of your talent and dedication. Your outstanding contributions to team performances during the thrilling championship sees you deservingly recognised for your commitment, excellence and dedication. Values we reward and celebrate in 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.

PwC Hurling All-Stars Nominations

Goalkeepers

Patrick Collins (Cork)

Nickie Quaid (Limerick)

Eibhear Quilligan (Clare)

Defenders

Adam Hogan (Clare)

Conor Cleary (Clare)

Conor Leen (Clare)

Diarmuid Ryan (Clare)

John Conlon (Clare)

David McInerney (Clare)

Eoin Downey (Cork)

Robert Downey (Cork)

Ciarán Joyce (Cork)

Dan Morrissey (Limerick)

Kyle Hayes (Limerick)

Barry Nash (Limerick)

Huw Lawlor (Kilkenny)

David Blanchfield (Kilkenny)

Calum Lyons (Waterford)

Tadhg de Búrca (Waterford)

Chris Crummey (Dublin)

Paddy Burke (Antrim)

Midfielders

Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork)

Tim O’Mahony (Cork)

Tony Kelly (Clare)

Cathal O’Neill (Limerick)

Conor Burke (Dublin)

Cian Kenny (Kilkenny)

Forwards

Shane O’Donnell (Clare)

Mark Rodgers (Clare)

Aidan McCarthy (Clare)

Peter Duggan (Clare)

David Fitzgerald (Clare)

David Reidy (Clare)

Shane Barrett (Cork)

Seamus Harnedy (Cork)

Patrick Horgan (Cork)

Brian Hayes (Cork)

Gearóid Hegarty (Limerick)

Tom Morrissey (Limerick)

Aaron Gillane (Limerick)

David Reidy (Limerick)

Lee Chin (Wexford)

Rory O’Connor (Wexford)

John Donnelly (Kilkenny)

James McNaughton (Antrim)

PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year Nominees

Shane O’Donnell (Clare)

Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork)

Kyle Hayes (Limerick)

PwC GAA/GPA Young Hurler of the Year Nominees

Adam Hogan (Clare)

Eoin Downey (Cork)

Cathal O’Neill (Limerick)