Cherry on top for Tipp with two Hurlers of the Year

The exclamation mark of the amazing year of 2025 for Tipperary in hurling was crowned at the All-Star Awards on Friday night as both John McGrath and Darragh McCarthy walked away with the individual hurler of the year awards.

By Shane Brophy

It capped an incredible year for Tipperary winning both the senior and under 20 All-Ireland titles, with seven players selected on the All-Star hurling team.

Winning the Overall Hurler of the Year award capped of an incredible return to form for the 30-year-old McGrath who beat off Tipperary team-mate Jake Morris and Cork’s Brian Hayes in recognition of his stunning season for the Premier, which was crowned by his unforgettable two goal blast in the All-Ireland final that stunned the Rebels and made the Loughmore-Castleiney forward an All-Star certainty.

“Being named Hurler of the Year for 2025 is mad to say it out loud,” he admitted.

“Thinking back to where I have come from in the last few years, not playing as much as I would have liked, it shows you the funny side of sport where if you get a chance you take it and you don’t know where it could lead you to.

“I had a serious Achilles injury, but I couldn't put it all down to that either. It was a couple of years where I was struggling for form, and different things. That happens too and I am glad I was happy to throw in the towel and be happy with my lot. I’m happy I stuck with it for the couple of years and the success we have had this year isn’t built on the last twelve months; there are a couple of years gone into it with a lot of the same group. It’s great when you get the rewards.

It was McGrath’s second All-Star, adding to his first nine years ago, but would have been seen as unlikely this time last year when he was rumoured to have been one of the players cut from the panel. His incredible form in helping Loughmore/Castleiney to the county senior hurling title ensured Tipp manager Liam Cahill gave him one more chance and his loyalty was rewarded with McGrath bringing his club form back onto the inter-county stage with an incredible 7-16 haul from play in Tipperary’s eight championships games, particularly the games against Limerick, Clare, Kilkenny and Cork when he scored key goals.

McGrath becomes the fourth Tipperary player to become Hurler of the Year in the modern era when the current award was inaugurated in 1995, joining Tommy Dunne (2001), Lar Corbett (2010) and Seamus Callanan (2019). Prior to that it was the Caltex or Texaco hurler of the year won by eight Tipperary players, namely Tony Wall (1958), Liam Devaney (1961), Donie Nealon (1962), John Doyle (1964), Jimmy Doyle (1965), Michael ‘Babs’ Keating (1971), Nicky English (1989) and Pat Fox (1991).

Young Player of the Year

There was also a brilliant finish to Darragh McCarthy’s action-packed debut season after the 19-year-old followed up on his brilliant displays in the Tipperary attack by being voted by his peers as the PwC GAA-GPA Young Hurler of the Year and bringing the award back to Toomevara.

The attacker beat off the challenge of Tipperary team-mate Robert Doyle and Limerick’s Adam English for the accolade to round of an incredible debut season, full of ups and downs, including two red cards and a suspension culminating in his 1-13 haul in the All-Ireland final win over Cork.

McCarthy was given a standing ovation on route to accepting his award and speaking with RTE’s Marty Morrissey, an almost stunned Darragh said “it is a great honour and privilege to be up,” thanking his teammates and what they did for him throughout the year.

He added: “People say there is pressure but we look as pressure as being a privilege. You have to take it all in your stride as well and take each game at a time, and any given day is really just give it your best on the field, be it work-rate or skill or anything like that.”

Admitting there were a few bumps in 2025 and saying “I was a little silly at times” which garnered plenty of good natured laughter and clapping from the 1600 people in attendance at the RDS.

He also paid tribute to his late uncle, Tipperary senior football manager Philly Ryan who passed away suddenly last month. “To the Ryan family at home, it is a very tough time for ye and we are all here in support. He is a very proud man tonight looking down on me,” he said.

The Toomevara clubman was thrust into the spotlight right from the start by being handed the free-taking responsibility in the opening National League game against Galway, and never looked back, contributing 2-47 in the championship.

McCarthy becomes the sixth Tipperary player to be selected as Young Hurler of the Year following on from Eugene O’Neill (1997), Eoin Kelly (2001 & 2002), Noel McGrath (2009), Brendan Maher (2010) and Cathal Barrett (2014).

Football

Kerry’s status as the Kingdom of Gaelic football was embellished as the All-Ireland, Munster and League champions dominated the PwC All-Stars with eight slots on the team for 2025, and talisman David Clifford captured a third PwC GAA-GPA Footballer of the Year Award in his stellar career.

The Fossa was unmarkable once Kerry got back to Croke Park and finished with an unrivalled 8-62 in Championship. His third Player of the Year award moves him out on his own in terms of modern-day heroes, with Kerry legend and four-time Footballer of the Year Jack O’Shea now arguably in his sights, and quite possibly the nine All-Stars won by Pat Spillane in his Kerry career.

Donegal’s teenage star Finnbarr Roarty was voted PwC GAA-GPA Young Footballer of the Year. The 19-year-old Naomh Conaill ace also becomes one of the youngest-ever All-Star award winners, joining exclusive company such as Clifford when he was at the beginning of his senior service, Cork icon and dual star Jimmy Barry Murphy who was just 19 in 1973 and Colm Cooper who was also 19 for his first. Derry legend Dermot McNicholl was honoured for his Oak Leaf displays as an 18-year-old on the 1984 team, and Kerry’s Maurice Fitzgerald was 18 when he was first honoured in 1988.

After sweeping the boards on the field, Kerry have the lion’s share of the PwC All-Star spoils. Goalkeeper Shane Ryan was an automatic for the assured contribution he gave from shot stopping to restarts.

Donegal’s Brendan McCole is a first-time All-Star at corner back while full back Jason Foley from Kerry collected a second award. Completing the line is Meath’s Seán Rafferty and is the Royal’s first All-Star since 2007.

Kerry wing-back Brian Ó Beaglaoich won his first All-Star to go with the second All-Ireland medal won this year. Beside him, the Gavin White was another automatic selection after his great season, and the line was completed by teenager Finnbarr Roarty.

Joe O’Connor was central to Kerry’s return to form and their run to the Sam Maguire and was a player of the year contender along with winning his first All-Star alongside Donegal’s Michael Langan.

Kerry’s Paudie Clifford won his fourth All-Star alongside team-mate Seán O’Shea who is another four timer. Armagh’s Oisín Conaty earned back-to-back All-Stars in the half forward line

David Clifford is now a six-time All-Star at just 26 years of age and was selected in a full forward line alongside Donegal’s Michael Murphy who marked his sensational return from retirement with a fourth All-Star and a footballer of the year nomination. Top of the left was a landmark first All-Star for Louth’s Sam Mulroy who captained his side to a first Leinster senior title in 68 years.