Players of the Year crowned for Tailteann, McDonagh, Ring, Rackard and Meagher Cups

The overall players of the year in the Tailteann Cup football championship and in the Joe McDonagh, Christy Ring, Nickey Rackard and Lory Meagher Cup hurling championships were announced tonight at a special black-tie banquet at Croke Park.

The Tailteann Cup footballer of the Year is Kildare’s Alex Beirne, who was named at centre forward on the Tailteann Cup team of the year this week, in recognition of the starring role he played for the Lilywhites in their push for silverware and promotion back into the Sam Maguire Cup for 2026, scoring 3-33 in the campaign.

The Joe McDonagh Cup hurler of the year is Cian Boran, who was man of the match for Kildare in their history making final win at Croke Park.

Seán Glynn is the Christy Ring Cup hurler of the year. Starring for London, the Clare native stood out with a series of influential displays and an overall tally of 2-17 for the victorious exiles.

Conor Cosgrove from Roscommon is the Nickey Rackard Cup hurler of the year. Joint captain of the Rossies, centre-back Cosgrove was a key figure in a campaign that saw them concede only two goals on their march to Croke Park.

In the Lory Meagher Cup, the overall hurler of the year award was bestowed on Cavan’s Liam O’Brien, a supreme marksman who was the competition’s top scorer with a tally of 1-49.

Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “No one sets out at the start of a season with individual awards as a motivation, but it is important to recognise those players who by their actions are an inspiration and are ambassadors for our games through their performances. Alex, Cian, Seán, Conor and Liam have been chosen as a special group who made a lasting contribution to what was a successful championship summer. I know this is an award that will be cherished by your families and clubs who you proudly represent.”

GPA CEO Tom Parsons said: “Congratulations to Liam, Conor, Seán, Cian and Alex on being selected as being the best of the best in their individual competitions in 2025. Your performances stood out among your peers, and you should be extremely proud on what you have achieved this season.”

The presentation of the overall awards at Croke Park was the high point of an evening that celebrated the footballers and hurlers who earlier this week were announced on the Tailteann, McDonagh, and Champion 15 for Ring, Rackard and Meagher teams of the year.

The PwC All-Stars honouring the teams of the year in the Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy Cups will take place next month.