PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Month for April Cork hurler Brian Hayes, Meath footballer Mathew Costello, left, and PwC GPA Women Players of the Month for April, Kerry ladies footballer Síofra O’Shea, right, and Offaly camogie player Mairéad Teehan with their awards at PwC offices in Cork. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile
Offaly’s Mairéad Teehan and Síofra O’Shea of defending All-Ireland champions Kerry are the April winners of the PwC GPA Women’s Player of the Month awards for camogie and football, with Cork half forward Brian Hayes and Meath’s Mathew Costello named the PwC GAA/GPA Hurler and Footballer of the month.
PwC are proud sponsors of the Player of the Month awards across camogie, hurling and football, both men’s and women’s. The April awards recognise the country’s top performers from the National League finals, as well as those making an impact in the early stages of the 2025 All-Ireland Championships.
O’Shea added three points in a hard-fought Lidl NFL Division 1 League final against Armagh, helping secure the title for the Kingdom on a scoreline of 4-14 to 0-11. She carried that momentum into the opening round of the Championship, contributing six points and playing a pivotal role in Kerry’s overall attacking efforts as they overcame their rivals Cork 1-13 to 0-10. O’Shea’s leadership and impact on the pitch have rightly been recognised with this award.
Throughout April, Mairéad Teehan delivered a series of exceptional performances, playing a central role in guiding Offaly to the Very Camogie League Division 2A title and securing their promotion to Division 1B. In the league final against Derry at Semple Stadium, Thurles, Teehan was outstanding, registering 2-4 and proving instrumental in the Faithful county’s dominant 4-13 to 0-10 win. Teehan’s two first-half goals helped Offaly establish an early lead, and her clinical finishing combined with a tireless work rate earned her the Player of the Match award. Over the course of the league campaign, Teehan consistently led by example, contributing significantly to Offaly’s unbeaten run and cementing her status as a key figure in the squad’s success.
Hayes played a pivotal role in Cork’s first Allianz Hurling League Division 1 final victory in 27 years, contributing significantly as the Rebels overcame Tipperary in a comprehensive win. The St Finbarr’s clubman carried his league form into the Munster Senior Hurling Championship, producing a standout performance in Cork’s opening round against Clare. Hayes registered an impressive 2-2 in the first half alone, setting the tone for his side’s momentum in the provincial campaign. Hayes followed up with another strong showing against Tipperary, contributing two points in an important Cork victory that positioned them at the top of the Munster table.
Costello’s influence was evident from the outset of the Leinster Senior Football Championship this month. In Meath’s opening round against Carlow, he was a key contributor to their 1-30 to 0-19 win. The momentum continued in the quarter-final against Offaly, where Meath overturned a ten-point halftime deficit to win 1-25 to 0-21. Costello played a vital role in the second-half revival, delivering a memorable performance. The highlight of the month came in the semi-final clash with Dublin, where Meath, aided by Costello ended the Dubs' long-standing dominance in Leinster with a dramatic 0-23 to 1-16 victory.
Enda McDonagh, Managing Partner, PwC Ireland, said: "Throughout April, we witnessed outstanding performances across all codes, as league campaigns came to a dramatic close and the Championship came to life.
On behalf of all of us at PwC, I want to offer sincere congratulations to Síofra, Mairéad, Brian and our own colleague Mathew on being named April’s Players of the Month."
Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Jarlath Burns said; "I warmly welcome the return of our player of the month awards and acknowledge the role of our partners PwC and the GPA in acknowledging individual excellence in a team setting.
"Well done to Mairéad Teehan and Síofra O’Shea on their respective Camogie and Ladies football awards on the back of great displays for Offaly and Kerry. The Meath footballers and Cork hurlers have helped illuminate the GAA season already and it’s no surprise that Mathew Costello and Brian Hayes have been singled out by their peers.
“Well done to all four players. We look forward to more outstanding displays across all four codes between now and the end of the inter-county championship campaigns."
GPA President Dónal Óg Cusack said; “I want to offer my heartiest congratulations to our four worthy winners in Brian, Mairéad, Mathew and Síofra and indeed I want to congratulate them on behalf of our their fellow players. As you know, these awards are voted for by their peers and that does make them extra special. I wish them well for the weeks and months ahead.
“I want to say thank you to both the GAA and long term supporters of players, PwC, for their continued partnership.”