Conroy and O'Donnell scoop Player of the Year awards

Paul Conroy of Galway has been named the 2024 Footballer of the Year while All-Ireland-winning Clare forward Shane O'Donnell picked up the Hurler of the Year trophy at the PwC All-Star Awards ceremony at the RDS on Friday evening.

Conroy edged out fellow nominees, John Maher – his county team-mate – and All-Ireland champion Barry McCambridge of Armagh. Armagh held off Galway by a point in the football final three months ago.

The St James’ clubman had earlier won his first All-Star award at what was the fifth time of asking, having been nominated four times previously but never making the final Team of the Year.

Banner star O’Donnell, meanwhile, held off stiff competition from Cork’s Darragh Fitzgibbon and Limerick half-back Kyle Hayes. O’Donnell helped lead Clare to their first All-Ireland title since 2013 this season having beaten Fitzgibbon’s Rebels in an epic decider at Croke Park back in July.

The Young Footballer of the Year award went to another All-Ireland winner, the Orchard County’s Oisín Conaty who was chosen ahead of Galway corner-back Johnny McGrath and Donegal’s Ciarán Moore.

The Young Hurler of the Year award went to Clare’s Adam Hogan with Eoin Downey of Cork and Limerick’s Cathal O’Neill the remaining nominees.

Brian Lohan’s Clare picked up no less than six All-Star awards when the Hurling Team of the Year was revealed – the Football All Stars having been released a day earlier.

Hogan and David McInerney were named in the defence while Tony Kelly picked up a midfield slot alongside Corkman Fitzgibbon.

There were three Banner boys in the forward six, namely David Fitzgerald, O’Donnell and Mark Rodgers.

All-Ireland runners up Cork accounted for five places on the Team of the Year with four-in-a-row winners Limerick