Limerick star caps off superb year with another top award
The award capped off a wonderful for William O’Donoghue who was a key part of John Kiely’s men who won a clean sweep of titles in 2027, which culminated in July’s All-Ireland final win over Galway
GAA Coverage in association with Lyons of Limerick Ford
JUST days after winning his third All-Star, Limerick star William O’Donoghue claimed another top award this week.
The Na Piarsaigh man was named the Gaelic Writers’ Association Hurling Personality of the Year sponsored by Clayton Hotels.
The award capped off a wonderful for O’Donoghue who was a key part of John Kiely’s men who won a clean sweep of titles in 2027, which culminated in July’s All-Ireland final win over Galway. It was an all-round memorable 2026 for the Na Piarsaigh man who also got married recently.
He went straight to club action, helping Na Piarsaigh reach a county final where they lost to Kilmallock.
The non-stop nature of the split season means that Kilmallock star Shane O’Brien won’t be able to join his inter-county teammates as Kiely’s side head of a well-deserved team holiday to the US and Dominican Republic. O’Brien will be in Munster club action against Ballygunner on November 15.
“I think split season works in the sense it is better to just like, let's say when you are in with Limerick, to give 100% to that,” O’Donoghue told reporters after receiving the award. “But what I do think is the split season has also given the players very little reprieve. It's just, it is nonstop.
“The way the calendar falls and even the way like Shane O'Brien now can't go on the team holiday. Sometimes, it's like the players who are most successful get punished as the year goes on because they all run into one another and then suddenly it's like, right, it's November, December and you're back. You're potentially back in with your inter-county panel.”