CLARE ATTACKER SHANE O’Donnell, Cork midfielder Darragh Fitzgibbon, and Limerick defender Kyle Hayes are the three players in the running for the 2024 Hurler of the Year award.
The trio have been shortlised after an exceptional series of displays throughout this year’s championship. O’Donnell was central to Clare’s All-Ireland title win, Fitzgibbon powered Cork from midfield, while Hayes excelled in Limerick’s latest Munster triumph.
It is the first time O’Donnell and Fitzgibbon have been nominated for this award Hayes was previously nominated in 2021 and 2023, and while he didn’t claim the honour, he was Young Hurler of the Year in 2018.
The last Clare winner was Tony Kelly in 2013, the most recent Cork victor was in 2005, while a Limerick player has won the last four awards.
O’Donnell is chasing his third successive All-Star, while Hayes is going for his fifth in a row. Fitzgibbon previously claimed an All-Star in 2018.
The nominations were chosen by a panel of Gaelic Games journalists from across, print, radio, TV and digital media.
The PwC All-Stars will be shown live on RTÉ at a special banquet in the RDS on Friday 1 November.
2024 PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year Nominees
- Shane O’Donnell (Clare)
- Darragh Fitzgibbon (Cork)
- Kyle Hayes (limerick
Can only be SOD, what a player.
SODs award to lose this year.
But Kyle Hayes is still the best hurler and Sulky Racer in the country.
@MayoForSam: the coward disappeared against Cork and lost his contest against Dalton, someone who is not even nominated for an all star. He certainly is not the best hurler
@John Buckley: bizarre comment. Cork kept everything away from that side of the pitch in the semi final, it was only when Hayes was moved in centre back that Limerick took over late on. Dalton didn’t puck a ball in the final when it mattered. In terms of hurling alone, Hayes is one of the best players in the country. If Cork had someone like him they might have won an All-Ireland in the last twenty years. I say this as a neutral. O’Donnell is HOTY anyway.
@John Buckley: sigh
@John Buckley: Hey John, is it not a testament to him as a hurler that Cork purposely didn’t hit one ball down on him the entire game as they knew how good he was. Dalton got 2 points and fair play to him but he didn’t certainly win the duel. Kyle has been unbelievable on the pitch all year let’s be honest. How could Dalton be nominate for an all star? Has he not been one of Corks worse performers in the forwards? Doesn’t really move or just simply can’t but a great striker of the ball and that’s about it. And I am from Cork to make matters worse!
@Aidan Farrell: Has to be the guy from Limerick. What other hurler could drive a car at 160km/h, overtake 9 cars and think its acceptable. Lot of hurlers up in court these days.
They were the three obvious picks for the shortlist.
I heard after the final that SOD just about passed a fitness test to play in the final on a dodgy hamstring. When cork were on top in the first half a couple of plays involving him turned the momentum back in Clare’s way. I think Clare went from being 6 down to level during that spell. That on top of his displays all year should have him the nailed on winner.
Fitzgibbon was unbelievable all year too and shot out the lights from play with his scoring return. He seems to be right back at the level he was at in 2017 when he burst on the scene and probably beyond it. In his prime now and will be crucial to bringing Liam back to the Lee.
Hayes is an incredible player and will probably replace Hannon at 6 when the time comes. He has some burst of speed in him too. He can see a gap in the pitch that no one else can see and speed past 9 players before they know what has happened;)
Congratulations to all. Richly deserved. Some fantastic performances by all 3 this year.
@David Reidy: congratulations to yourself David.
@Michael Kennedy: Not the real one but thank you :)
As a Cork fan this kills me to say but Cork are gutless and unless they develop a back bone there will be no all Ireland. All of gunning for Limerick and Clare beat us 3 times this year! Wake up people….embarrassing
@John Moloney: you’re an absolute clown and clearly don’t even watch hurling. Lost an all Ireland epic by a single point without even playing at their best.