Hurling Player of the Year has been awarded to Shane O’Donnell of Clare. O’Donnell’s performance throughout the season has been remarkably consistent and impressive, seizing the Player of the Month title for April and June. His crucial influence in Clare’s triumphant All-Ireland run, particularly his match-saving role during last weekend’s game, has been universally acknowledged. Amid a month where his form was deemed to be less than stellar, he still managed to earn praise for his significant contributions during the Waterford match from Nicky English.
The All-Ireland final, which saw Clare score 3-29 to Cork’s 1-34, marked the most thrilling match of the year. Clare’s knack for transforming these decisive games into closely fought battles was once again displayed, alongside an unforgettable match-winning move by Tony Kelly.
In the greatest twist of the year, a penalty was courageously adjudicated by Seán Stack at the final whistle of injury-time. This penalty was effectively converted by Patrick Horgan, defeating reigning champions Limerick in a pulsating showdown at Páirc Uí Chaoimh, much to the delight of the 41,670-strong crowd. This unexpected turning point set a new course for the county, reinvigorating their pursuits and revealing potential weaknesses in Limerick’s team.
On a sour note, the distinction between football and hurling counties was almost blurred due to a series of scheduling controversies that marred the championship, causing disappointment among fans and players alike.
The most unexpected occurrence was Carlow’s surprising tie with Kilkenny, which sadly didn’t receive the attention it deserved due to being overshadowed by the Páirc Uí Chaoimh celebration. It represented a mark of respect for the teams who tirelessly compete against larger, more formidable teams. The contribution by Denis Walsh wasn’t overlooked.
The best hurler accolade goes to Shane O’Donnell of Clare. He was the top candidate entering the All-Ireland final and confirmed his worth throughout the heated second quarter. He stood out considerably, helping Clare recover from a noticeable seven-point deficit. His involvement in Aidan McCarthy’s goal was a tribute to his aptitude, tenacity, unselfishness and knack for strategic planning. Regrettably, Clare’s performance was slightly hampered in the Munster final due to the slow response when service to him reduced. Nonetheless, he managed to give all of Clare’s adversaries quite a challenge. O’Donnell’s exceptional ability to maintain possession under pressure and transform it into an opportunity propels him as an exceptional ball-winner, strategist, finisher and motivator. His impact is indomitable.
The match of the year title belongs to the Cork versus Limerick bout in the Munster championship. This is subjective, of course. The All-Ireland semi-final between Cork and Limerick was characterised by intense combat and a substantial increase in target shots compared to the Páirc Uí Chaoimh game. Despite its array of errors, the All-Ireland final was monumental, dramatic and possessed a distinct allure, all key factors when discussing memorable matches. However, the vibrancy, intensity, ambience and dynamism of the Cork-Limerick showdown in May set it apart. The match unfolded in an unexpected manner, noted for Cork’s aggressive strategy from the start against Limerick, culminating with an unpredictable finale. It was an utterly exhilarating contest.
Highlight of the year: Tony Kelly’s goal during the All-Ireland final. The magnitude of Tony Kelly’s goal was somewhat neutralised within five minutes, but its significance transcends the scoreline and it will forever linger in memory. Simple words like balance, composure, serenity, precision, and touch hardly do it justice; it must be seen to be appreciated. It’s sure to leave a lasting impression.
The greatest letdown: The All-Ireland hurling quarter-finals. It has turned out to be a scheduling nightmare for the GAA, with the second Saturday midday kick-off in three years. Scheduling quarter-final games featuring four of the last six championship teams is disgraceful. The fact that other sports commitments impact these fixtures due to RTE’s contractual obligations, and the GAA’s acceptance of this, is outrageous. The GAA needs to contemplate segregating these games and staging them at more intimate venues.
The biggest shock came from Galway. It was anticipated to be a critical year for Henry Shefflin but the way their season disintegrated was heart breaking. For a team who perennially dreamt of winning the All-Ireland, finishing fourth in Leinster was an unthinkable worst-case scenario. They appeared disorganised and leaderless. Their next management appointment won’t be easy, nor will be the long and gradual recovery process.
Honour for Hurler of the year goes to Shane O’Donnell. Frequently emerging as the Man of the Match during the season, he proved an insurmountable hurdle for rivals. His significant contribution in the final helped Clare climb back into contention after a quick start by Cork. He was indeed a delight to watch.
Most exciting match of the year award is shared by Cork and Limerick during the Munster championship. The final was nothing short of splendid, and the semi-final was even better. But Cork’s 3-28 to 3-26 victory over Limerick ranks supreme in terms of sheer theatrics, a sense of a momentous event unfolding at the moment, and the comprehensive sports experience.
The most memorable moment of the year: Tony Kelly’s last point in the final. Although it may seem as recency bias, consider this – despite being Clare’s best player, Kelly had yet to make a significant impact in a match throughout the entire season. Yet, here he was, deep into overtime with players crumbling around him, he intercepts a ball, flips it over Luke Meade and lands Clare in a state of ecstasy. Truly breath-taking.
The biggest letdown has to be Leinster Hurling. A whopping seven consecutive All-Irelands have been won by teams from Munster. Three matches in the 2024 Championship pit teams from Munster and Leinster against each other, and all three times, Leinster got the short end of the stick. Sadly, the much-anticipated matchup between Galway and Kilkenny drew an underwhelming crowd of just 9,261 for the top draw of the Leinster Championship. The question is: where’s the excitement?
The most unexpected turn of events? Cork. While one could argue it wasn’t much of a surprise considering their potential was well-known, it’s noteworthy that they lost their first two games in Munster and relied on a draw between Tipperary and Waterford to keep their hopes alive. Not a single person would have bet on a Cork v Clare final in the All-Ireland championship on April 28th, especially after the home team’s defeat at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
Shane O’Donnell, inarguably, is the Hurler of the Year. Giving his topmost performance in a Clare jersey, O’Donnell’s excellence was unrivalled. Evidently, he seemed to be named Hurler of the Month every four weeks, as if it was a foregone conclusion. When Clare was in need of a hero in the first half on Sunday amidst Cork’s reign, O’Donnell took it upon himself to rescue them from the precipice.
The match of the year? The All-Ireland final – Clare 3-29 Cork 1-34 (AET). Witnessing Sunday’s All-Ireland final was a remarkably exhausting experience. It’s difficult to comprehend how the players managed to maintain such an exceptional standard throughout. The displayed skills at such a swift pace and high intensity were nothing short of astounding. Both teams deserve a massive round of applause for the spectacle they created. There were other contenders for this honour, the All-Ireland semi-final between Cork and Limerick and the Munster round-robin duo also put on a splendid show. However, Sunday’s final takes the cake. Absolute pandemonium.
Highlight of the year: Tony Kelly’s utterly unforgettable goal during the All-Ireland finals was a spectacle to behold. As the game hung in the balance during the 51st minute, David Fitzgerald passed the ball to Kelly in slight left position of the D. Despite having nearly 37 Cork players hindering his path to the goal, Kelly, defying expectations, didn’t take the easy route by scoring a point to just put Clare a notch ahead. Instead, he deftly manoeuvred past his opponents in a scene reminiscent of a video game character, demonstrating extraordinary self-control, craftiness and aptitude – it was as if he had an invisible link with the sliotar, akin to a magnet’s pull. It was indeed a spectacle that provoked both shock and awe.
Biggest letdown: The Galway team turned out to be a real disappointment. Their overall performance in the season failed to impress as they found themselves grappling inconsistently all year, showing a glimmer of hope at times, but mostly showing subpar efforts. Their inability to advance beyond the Leinster championship was disheartening and worse still was the announcement of Henry Shefflin resigning as the team’s manager. It was indeed an forgettable year for Galway.
Most unforeseen event: Davy Fitzgerald’s decision to resign from Waterford came out of the blue. His rejection of a third consecutive year in office was unexpected, as the native of Clare had every reason to be optimistic about the Munster championship, given how closely Waterford had come to success. Hence, Fitzgerald’s resignation marked a surprising end to his tenure in Waterford.