Five of Meath's Christy Ring Cup winners have been named in the 2023 Ring, Rackard, Meagher Champion 15 selection, with a further five counties represented in the selection.
The Royal contingent is made up of defenders Sean Geraghty, Simon Ennis and James Toher, who are joined by forwards Jack Regan and Éamon Óg Ó Donnchadha.
Nicky Rackard Cup victors Wicklow take up three places on the team with the full-back jersey going to Andrew Kavanagh, while Christy Moorehouse and Andy O’Brien make up the full-forward line.
Derry, the Christy Ring Cup runners-up, are represented by defender Richie Mullan and midfielder Cormac O’Doherty, while Nicky Rackard finalists Donegal boast goalkeeper Luke White and wing-back Danny Cullen in the line-up.
Monaghan’s Lory Meagher Cup success is reflected in the inclusion of Niall Garland and Niall Arthur in the selection.
The remaining slot on the team goes to Lancashire's Conor Madden, who takes up the wing-forward position.
GAA President Larry McCarthy said: "These awards are dedicated to those players who go above and beyond in the pursuit of excellence and are for players who represent the cream of the crop.
"The Champion 15 selection covers the keenly-contested Ring, Rickard and Meagher Cups which makes selection all the more notable and distinguished. Congratulations to all of those who are honoured today."
Tom Parsons, Gaelic Players Association CEO, added: "Compiling a team across three different competitions is a very tricky job, but nobody can argue that the 15 players chosen are not worthy of the recognition that they’ve earned by being selected.
"Their performances were outstanding throughout the Nicky Rackard, Christy Ring and Lory Meagher Cups. I want to congratulate them on being nominated for selection by their peers and on being picked by the selection committee.
"I also hope that those that put their hearts and souls into hurling in Meath, Wicklow, Derry, Donegal, Monaghan and Lancashire will all bask in the reflected glory of what these players have achieved.
"In the past, players from these competitions didn’t get their moment in the spotlight when it came to awards season and I am delighted that this has been rectified by the GAA with the support of the GPA."
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 in Croke Park this Friday. The show will be streamed live on GAA.ie 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.
The Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year will be announced on Wednesday, before the Tailteann Cup selection is made public on Thursday.
Champion 15 Team of the Year 2023
1 Luke White (Donegal - Nickey Rackard)
2 Seán Geraghty (Meath – Christy Ring)
3 Andrew Kavanagh (Wicklow - Nickey Rackard)
4 Simon Ennis (Meath – Christy Ring)
5 Richie Mullan (Derry – Christy Ring)
6 James Toher (Meath - Christy Ring)
7 Danny Cullen (Donegal - Nickey Rackard)
8 Cormac O’Doherty (Derry – Christy Ring)
9 Niall Garland (Monaghan – Lory Meagher)
10 Conor Madden (Lancashire – Lory Meagher)
11 Jack Regan (Meath – Christy Ring)
12 Éamon Óg Ó Donnchadha (Meath – Christy Ring)
13 Christy Moorehouse (Wicklow – Nickey Rackard)
14 Andy O’Brien (Wicklow – Nickey Rackard)
15 Niall Arthur (Monaghan - Lory Meagher)
Watch the Dublin Hurling Championship final, Na Fianna v Ballyboden St Endas, on Sunday from 4.20pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player with updates from all games on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
