The nominations for the PwC Hurling All-Star awards were released this week, and to nobody's surprise, All-Ireland champions Clare dominate the list with 14 nominations. Clare bested Cork in the Croke Park finale this year to win their first All-Ireland in 11 years.
The likes of Clare's goalkeeper Eibhear Quilligan and their backline — Adam Hogan, Conor Cleary, Conor Leen, Diarmuid Ryan, John Conlon, and David McInerney — have all made the list.
Their only midfielder to make the list is Tony Kelly. Kelly had a starring role in Clare's epic win over Cork in the All-Ireland final this year.
The rest of Clare's nominations include Shane O’Donnell, Mark Rodgers, Aidan McCarthy, Peter Duggan, David Fitzgerald, and David Reidy.
Cork is the next most nominated team, with 10 players included. The likes of Darragh Fitzgibbon, Tim O'Mahony, and Patrick Horgan make the shortlist.
All-Ireland semi-finalists Limerick and Kilkenny have nine and four nominations each.
#GAA news: @PwCIreland GAA/@gaelicplayers Hurling All-Stars nominations announced https://t.co/iMloMPRCEE
— The GAA (@officialgaa) September 20, 2024
Leinster finalists Dublin, Wexford, and Waterford have been recognised with two nominations each. Antrim have (three),
Tipperary has no players included.
In other awards news, Shane O'Donnell (Clare), Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork), and Aaron Gillane (Limerick) will contest the PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year award.
The Young Hurler of the Year award will see Adam Hogan (Clare), Eoin Downey (Cork), and Cathal O'Neill (Limerick) go head-to-head.
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 was 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 continue to be such an important part of the GAA’s annual calendar.”
The nominations were selected by Gaelic games journalists from across print, radio, TV, and digital media. The PwC All-Stars banquet will be screened live on RTÉ on 1 November from the RDS.
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)
