The GAA has today announced the players who have been selected for the 2024 Champion 15
team, which is a selection of the top hurlers who starred in this year’s Christy Ring, Nickey
Rackard and Lory Meagher Cup campaigns.
There are eight counties who have representatives on the final 15, with Christy Ring champions
Kildare holding the biggest haul with five slots on the high calibre team.
It is the second time in three years that Derry defender Mark Craig is honoured, while Donegal
centurion Stephen Gillespie crowns a season that saw him make his 100th appearance for Tir
Chonaill.
The six forwards, between them, amassed 17-241 across the cup competitions and were led by
London full-forward Jack Goulding as the Kerry-native scored 5-50.
Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “The longer the Ring, Rackard and Meagher Cups go on the
more impressive the foresight and inspiration that sparked their inauguration. They are an
integral part of the hurling calendar and a key part of the Association’s commitment to hurling.
“Through all the plans and hopes that we have for the future of hurling, let us not forget the
outstanding hurlers and ambassadors for the game that are in our midst right now and I salute
those who have been selected on this distinguished Champion 15 and thank them for the
extraordinary dedication they make.
“This is an honour that will be celebrated by your families and clubs and is richly deserved.”
Gaelic Players Association CEO Tom Parsons said: “While our games are primarily about what
we do as teams collectively, it is also important to recognise individual effort and excellence.
“These 15 players, drawn from the Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups, are
rightly being awarded for outstanding championship seasons in 2024.
“The unique nature of this team, with players selected from three different tiers, means these
players have had to probably do even more to stand out. Congratulations to you all.
“I hope that those who work so hard to keep hurling alive in the eight counties represented will
take some satisfaction too, on seeing their county men rewarded with places on the Champion
15 team.”
Players from the Ring, Rackard, and Meagher were asked to nominate outstanding performers in
their competitions, with an independent selection committee adjudicating on the final team
based on player performances, supported by video footage and county nominations.
The awards will be presented at a gala black-tie function in Croke Park this Friday night. The
award show will be streamed live on the GAA Youtube channel from 7pm and will also feature
the awards for the Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year and the Tailteann Cup Team of the Year –
as well as the presentation of the overall Players of the Year in these championships. Tomorrow
will see the Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the year announced and the Tailteann Cup team of the
year will then be announced on Thursday.
2024 GAA Champion 15
1. Paddy McKenna (Kildare- Christy Ring)
2. Rian Boran (Kildare – Christy Ring)
3. Mark Craig (Derry -Christy Ring)
4. Stephen Gillespie (Donegal – Nickey Rackard)
5. Conan Boran (Kildare – Christy Ring)
6. David Kenny (Mayo – Nickey Rackard)
7. Ryan Bogue (Fermanagh – Lory Meagher)
8. Gerard Gilmore (Donegal – Nickey Rackard)
9. Simon Leacy (Kildare – Christy Ring)
10. Liam McKinney (Donegal – Nickey Rackard)
11. Jack Sheridan (Kildare – Christy Ring)
12. Shane Boland (Mayo – Nickey Rackard)
13. Nicky Kenny (Cavan – Lory Meagher)
14. Jack Goulding (London – Christy Ring)
15. Cian Darcy (Longford – Lory Meagher)
