Kildare enjoyed a dual celebration on Friday night after Alex Beirne was crowned the Tailteann Cup footballer of the Year, and Cian Boran landed the Joe McDonagh Cup hurler of the year award.
Beirne, who was named at centre forward on the Tailteann Cup team of the year, played a starring role for the Lilywhites in their push for silverware and promotion back into the Sam Maguire Cup for 2026, scoring 3-33 in the campaign. Boran was man of the match for Kildare in the hurlers' historic final win at Croke Park.
Elsewhere, London's Seán Glynn landed the Christy Ring Cup hurler of the year gong. The Clare native stood out for the victorious Exiles with a series of influential displays and an overall tally of 2-17.
Roscommon's Conor Cosgrove is the Nicky Rackard Cup hurler of the year. Joint captain of the Rossies, centre-back Cosgrove was a key figure in a campaign that saw them concede only two goals on their triumphant march to Croker.
In the Lory Meagher Cup, the overall hurler of the year award was bestowed on Cavan’s Liam O’Brien, the competition’s top scorer with a tally of 1-49.
GAA President Jarlath Burns said: "No one sets out at the start of a season with individual awards as a motivation, but it is important to recognise those players who by their actions are an inspiration and are ambassadors for our games through their performances.
"Alex, Cian, Seán, Conor and Liam have been chosen as a special group who made a lasting contribution to what was a successful championship summer. I know this is an award that will be cherished by your families and clubs who you proudly represent."
The PwC All-Stars honouring the teams of the year in the Sam Maguire and Liam MacCarthy Cups will take place next month.
