Tailteann, McDonagh, Ring, Rackard and Meagher Cup Players of the Year announced
The GAA has announced 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 competitions.
Meath full-forward Mathew Costello scoops up the Tailteann Cup Footballer of the Year award. Costello was a constant attacking threat throughout the competition, putting in consistently excellent performances, including a man of the match display in the semi-final and three vital scores in the final.
Carlow sharpshooter Martin Kavanagh, widely recognised as one of the most prolific forwards in the game, claims this year’s Joe McDonagh Cup hurler of the year award. The St. Mullins man had an exceptional campaign in which he finished as top scorer, including a 1-8 man of the match display in the thrilling final victory over Offaly.
The Christy Ring Cup hurler of the year is Meath’s Jack Regan. Selected at centre-forward on the Champion 15, the royals’ talisman produced time and time again with vital scores throughout the campaign, culminating in an inspiring 14-point haul in the final.
Wicklow veteran Andy O’Brien picks up the Nickey Rackard Cup hurler of the year prize, with the lethal St. Patrick’s man playing a major role in his county’s first ever Nickey Rackard Cup title, in what was his last inter-county campaign, after announcing his retirement this year.
Niall Garland is the Lory Meagher Cup hurler of the year after the Monaghan joint captain’s scoring prowess proved vital in helping the Farney men to an historic success.
The winners were announced at the end of a gala black-tie function in Croke Park’s Hogan Suite.DAMIAN
Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy said: “Congratulations to Mathew, Martin, Jack, Andy and Niall for these prestigious additional awards. To be selected in the overall team of the year was a magnificent achievement, but to be singled out again as being the overall stand out performer in your Championship, with the approval of your peers, is something extra special. These awards are in recognition of the exceptional standards that we witnessed across the McDonagh, Ring, Rackard, Meagher and Tailteann Cups in 2023 and I know your clubs will share in this great occasion.”
GPA CEO Tom Parsons commented: “To win a position on the Team of the Year for the competition in which you were playing is a massive honour and every player should be rightly proud of that achievement. To be selected as the Player of the Year is, without doubt, extra special. It marks you out as being the best of the best.
“Therefore, on behalf of your fellow players, I want to extend my heartiest congratulations to Mathew, Martin, Jack, Andy and Niall. Your performances in 2023 were of the highest order and you are thoroughly deserving of these accolades.”
