Six Offaly players named on Joe McDonagh Team of the Year

The Offaly Senior hurlers had a successful year winning the Joe McDonagh Cup to get back into the top flight of Inter-County hurling in 2025.

Their great season has seen them have six players named in this year's Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year. 

Ciaran Burke, Ben Conneely and Cillian Kiely have been selected in the back line with Burke at full-back, Conneely at corner-back and Kiely at centre-back.

Killian Sampson has been selected at win-forward with Charlie Mitchell at corner-forward and Brian Duignan at full-forward.

Laois, the Joe McDonagh Cup runners up, also have six players on the team with the other three players coming from Westmeath, Kerry and Down.

The Joe McDonagh Cup honours Galway’s former hurling All-Star, All-Ireland winner and GAA President from 1997-2000, who passed away in 2016, aged 63.

GAA President Jarlath Burns said: “As the man who was Uachtarán Cumann Lúthchleas Gael at the start of the new millennium, Joe McDonagh was fiercely dedicated to the promotion of hurling and the spreading of its gospel. The cup that bears his name continues that mission and players like these ambassadors announced today do his legacy great justice.

“This is a fantastic competition and the prize for the Joe McDonagh champions of elevation into the ranks of Liam MacCarthy status is reflected in the high standards that are on view, year after year, and 2024 was no different.

“This team is a who’s who of hurling stars who have been leading lights for their county teams this season and in many cases for several seasons, and I know that this recognition for their contribution to a memorable Joe McDonagh Cup campaign will be proudly welcomed by their families and clubs.”

Gaelic Players Association CEO Tom Parsons said: “To the players selected, I want to send heartiest congratulations. Your performances during what was a very exciting Joe McDonagh Cup championship stood out and have been recognised by your fellow players who voted for a longlist, that was then whittled down by the selection committee. You’ve been acknowledged therefore by both your peers and an expert panel.

“I hope that you and all hurling people in Laois, Offaly, Kerry, Westmeath and Down take great pride in your selection to this team. Finally, thank you to the selectors under the chairmanship of Pat Daly.” See the full team below.

The 2024 Joe McDonagh Team of the Year is here!

Comhghairdeas leo pic.twitter.com/b8F1GDViUp

— The GAA (@officialgaa) October 9, 2024

The Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year will be guests of honour at a gala black-tie event hosted at Croke Park on Friday night, October 11 which will also honour the Champion 15 team announced on Tuesday and the Tailteann Cup Team of the Year which will be announced on Thursday.

The event will be streamed live by the GAA on Youtube from 7pm.