Limerick hurlers learn fate as PWC GAA/GPA All-Star team for 2025 is revealed

THERE was no joy for Limerick when the PWC All-Star Hurling team of 2025 was revealed this Thursday morning.

Limerick players had been among the 45 nominated for the 2025 PwC GAA/GPA Hurling All-Stars. The seven Shannonsiders short-listed were goalkeeper Nickie Quaid, defenders Mike Casey, Kyle Hayes and Tom Morrissey as well as midfielder Adam English and forwards Aaron Gillane and Cian Lynch.

However, none of the seven gained inclusion in the All-Star side when it was revealed this Thursday morning. 

John Kiely's Limerick side reached the 2025 Munster final before losing out to Cork in a dramatic penalty shoot-out after the sides were deadlocked at the end of extra-time at the TUS Gaelic Grounds.

The Shannonsiders then suffered a surprise defeat to Dublin in the All-Ireland quarter-finals at Croke Park.

Doon clubman Adam English has also been short-listed for the Young Hurler of the Year accolade along with the Tipperary duo Darragh McCarthy and Robert Doyle. The winner of the award, which is voted upon by the players, will be revealed at the PwC All-Star awards a gala black-tie event at Dublin’s RDS tomorrow evening, November 7.

All-Ireland champions Tipperary lead the way with seven places on the PwC All-Stars for Hurling 2025. It is a team full of firsts with 10 All-Star debutants in all, the highest number since the 2013 selection.

Rhys Shelly was the choice for goalkeeper. Kilkenny’s high-fielding Huw Lawlor claims a third all-star at full-back and is flanked by Tipp starlet Robert Doyle and Cork’s tenacious Seán O’Donoghue.

Tipperary stalwart Ronan Maher is the anchor of this team, winning a third award, and is joined by teammate Eoghan Connolly and Cork’s Ciaran Joyce.

Cork's Darragh Fitzgibbon was hugely influential for the Munster championship winning Rebels and in their subsequent march to the final. He is joined in midfield by Galway talisman Cathal Mannion who scored 2-67 in the Championship.

In attack, Jake Morris is named at wing forward after a prominent season for Tipperary and becomes the recipient of the 1,600th all-star since the scheme started in 1971 when Offaly goalie Damien Martin was the first all-star.

Tipp’s Andrew Ormond is at centre forward and is another first-timer after catching the eye and scoring 2-15 in the championship. On the left wing, there is recognition for Dublin sharpshooter Cian O’Sullivan, after the St Brigid’s man scored 5-22 from play this season.

At corner forward Kilkenny’s Martin Keoghan joins an exclusive group of family winners as he follows his father Liam who won an All-Star in 1997 and crowns a championship where Martin scored 6-15.

At full forward John McGrath is honoured for his impressive season of impacts for Tipperary. He scored 7-16 from play in the championship, including 2-2 in the final. Top of the left then is Cork powerhouse Brian Hayes, with the St Finbarr’s man bagging 5-9 in total.

The breakdown is Tipperary seven, Cork four, Kilkenny two and one each for Dublin and Galway.

A meeting of GAA correspondents from across print, tv, radio and digital media, chaired by Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns, adjudicated yesterday on the elite list of 45 nominees.

Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “To be a PwC All-Star is our highest and most prestigious individual award. It recognises those players who, over the course of a pulsating season, 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 and schools and coaches who have helped mould you into the stars you have become.”

Gaelic Players’ Association CEO, Tom Parsons, said: “To be selected as a PwC All-Star is a testament to your individual excellence across 2025 and for that, I want to sincerely congratulate the fifteen players who have been named on the team. Your energy, effort, skill and dedication have been acknowledged by these awards and that’s something in which you can take great pride. Your award should also be celebrated by your family, friends and club who have supported you and given you the tools and time to become one of the country’s top players.”

Enda McDonagh, Managing Partner, PwC Ireland, said: "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 PwC All-Stars will be presented at a gala black-tie event at Dublin’s RDS tomorrow, November 7, which will be shown live on RTÉ at 7.30pm. It will be preceded by a special PwC All-Star show on the GAA’s YouTube channel from 6-7pm.

The PwC All-Stars for football will be announced live tomorrow evening, as well as the PwC GAA/GPA Players and Young Players of the year in both codes. Those overall awards are chosen by inter-county players themselves.

PwC All-Stars Hurling 2025 - (previous winning years in brackets)

1. Rhys Shelly (Tipperary)

2. Robert Doyle (Tipperary)

3. Huw Lawlor (Kilkenny) (2022, 2023)

4. Seán O’Donoghue (Cork)

5. Eoghan Connolly (Tipperary)

6. Ronan Maher (Tipperary) (2016, 2019)

7. Ciaran Joyce (Cork)

8. Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork) (2018, 2024)

9. Cathal Mannion (Galway) (2015)

10. Jake Morris (Tipperary)

11. Andrew Ormond (Tipperary)

12. Cian O’Sullivan (Dublin)

13. Martin Keoghan (Kilkenny)

14. John McGrath (Tipperary) (2016)

15. Brian Hayes (Cork)

PwC GAA/GPA Young Hurler of the Year Nominees (to be announced Friday night)

Adam English (Limerick)

Darragh McCarthy (Tipperary)

Robert Doyle (Tipperary)

PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year (to be announced Friday night)

John McGrath (Tipperary)

Jake Morris (Tipperary)

Brian Hayes (Cork)