Knights of St Columbanus with Bishop Donal McKeown. Photos: Geraldine Diver
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22 Oct 2025
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22 Oct 2025
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Donegal hurlers Danny Cullen, left, and Luke White with their Ring, Rackard, and Meagher Team of the Year awards during the GAA Champion 15 Awards Croke Park in Dublin.
Danny Cullen and Luke White picked up their ‘Champions 15’ awards in Dublin on Friday night as the best of the best in the world of hurling were honoured at a black-tie gala event at Croke Park.
Nicky Rackard runners-up Donegal were represented on the night by Carndonagh clubman White who claimed the goalkeeper jersey, and wing back Danny Cullen of Setanta, after their fine performances in 2023.
The GAA also 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.
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