The Laois GAA award winners for the 2024 season have been announced this morning – with 17 handed out.
The only two awards that have not been announced here are the U-20 football and hurling winners as those competitions are not yet completed.
A total of 15 GAA clubs are represented among the winners with a fine spread across the county.
The award winners were chosen by a combination of the media and Laois GAA officials.
Representatives from LaoisToday, Leinster Express, Laois Nationalist, Midlands 103 and Laois GAA met recently where consensus was reached about the winners.
Unlike in previous years, Laois Ladies and Laois Camogie both chose their own winners and either have held or will hold their own awards night.
The Mochua Print and Design Laois GAA awards night will take place in the Midlands Park Hotel on November 29.
Check out the winners below:
Senior Football – Rioghan Murphy (Portarlington)
Like Clough-Ballacolla, Portarlington claimed their fourth Laois SFC title in the last five years.
In the absence of much of the team that won those titles, Rioghan Murphy had to stand up which he most certainly did with a string of excellent performances.
Senior B Football – Paddy Fitzpatrick (The Heath)
The Heath reached the Senior B final in 2023 and went one step better this year by winning it.
In his first year of adult football, Paddy Fitzpatrick shone and has the ability to lead the line for his club for many years to come.
Intermediate Football – Cormac Murphy (Crettyard)
Crettyard are back at senior level following their Laois IFC success against Mountmellick.
Captain Cormac Murphy was sensational in the final which capped a brilliant year for him and his side.
Intermediate ‘B’ Football – Jamie Conway (Arles-Kilcruise)
The Intermediate ‘B’ championship was won by Arles-Kilcruise after they defeated Timahoe.
Jamie Conway, who featured for the Laois U-20s this year, was a key figure for his side all year.
Junior Football – Cian Ryle (Kilcavan)
Kilcavan returned to the Intermediate grade by defeating St Joseph’s in the JFC and they are still going in Leinster.
Cian Ryle has been an influential figure for them in attack and is their top scorer.
Minor Football – Darren Brennan (Portlaoise)
A famine was ended in October as Portlaoise won their first Laois MFC title in 12 years – defeating Portarlington.
Darren Brennan scored two goals in the decider and was excellent all year.
Laois Football – Killian Roche (Killeshin)
Like the hurlers, the Laois footballers enjoyed a positive year by winning Division 4 and reaching the Tailteann Cup final.
Killian Roche excelled all year and was named on the Tailteann Cup team of the year too.
Senior Hurling – Lee Cleere (Clough-Ballacolla)
Clough-Ballacolla made it four championship titles in five years by defeating Rathdowney-Errill in the final.
Lee Cleere was a rock at centre back in a team that was a long way better than all of the rest.
Premier Intermediate Hurling – PJ Scully (Borris-Kilcotton)
We joked before the competition started that PJ Scully at Premier IHC level would simply be a cheat code.
And that is how it turned out as he shot the lights out from start to finish – unquestionably the best player.
Intermediate Hurling – Laurence Kenny (Mountmellick)
Mountmellick’s rise through the Laois hurling ranks from 2017 onwards is remarkable.
Laurence Kenny has been there every step of the way and was excellent from centre back this year as captain.
Junior Hurling – Darragh Hiney (Ballypickas)
Darragh Hiney was in goal as Colt-Shanahoe won the Laois IHC in 2023.
He transferred to Ballypickas this year and was seriously impressive as they claimed JHC glory. A monster puckout, a scoring threat from range and a great shot stopper.
Minor Hurling – Kyron Cuddy (Castletown)
The minor final was a classic encounter between The Harps and Castletown that went right down to the wire.
Kyron Cuddy was the match winner and was unquestionably the best player throughout the year.
Laois Hurling – Aidan Corby (Clough-Ballacolla)
The Laois hurlers had a good year by in large – winning the National League and reaching the Joe McDonagh Cup final.
Aidan Corby was sensational in midfield all year and deserves this award.
Hall of Fame – Tom Jones (The Heath)
Originally from Longford and a retired Garda, Tom Jones officially announced his retirement from Laois GAA Event Controller after the SFC Final.
This was a role that Tom served in for in excess of 25 years. He also served Laois as Coiste na nÓg Chairperson, Coaching and Games Officer, Development Officer and Leinster Council delegate during this time.
Referee – Anthony Stapleton (Rathdowney-Errill)
A former inter-county referee, Anthony Stapleton is someone who has plenty of experience.
His no-nonsense and ability to allow the game to flow is always popular with supporters and players.
Rounders – Gillian Keenan (Emo)
A talented soccer player who has been capped for the Republic of Ireland and won a Premier Division plus FAI Cup with Athlone Town, Gillian Keenan is the ultimate sportsperson.
This year, she was part of the Emo Rounders team who claimed All-Ireland Junior glory against Galway City Rapparees in September.
Scor – Monica Delaney (Castletown)
The head of Laois Scor for several years, Castletown’s Monica Delaney is a deserving winner of this award.
She has been a driving force in GAA in Laois behind Irish and traditional games.
Handball – Elizabeth Pearson (Clough-Ballacolla)
Elizabeth Pearson has been named the handball person of the year following her exploits.
She finished the year as World Wallball Ladies C Doubles Champion, World Wallball Ladies C Singles Plate Champion and Spanish Open Wallball Ladies B Doubles Champion.
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