PwC Players of the Month for July announced
PwC GPA Player of the Month for July, Galway camogie’s Ciara Hickey, left, PwC GAA/GPA Players of the Month for July, Limerick hurler Gearóid Hegarty, centre, and Mayo footballer Ryan O’Donoghue pictured with their awards in Galway today. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile.
Mayo’s Ryan O’Donoghue and Limerick’s Gearóid Hegarty are named the PwC GAA/GPA Footballer and Hurler of the Month for July, while Kerry’s Síofra O'Shea and Galway’s Ciara Hickey are the winners of the PwC GPA Women’s Player of the Month awards for Ladies Football and Camogie.
PwC is proud to recognise excellence in Gaelic Games through their sponsorship of the Player of the Month awards as well as the PwC All-Stars and the PwC Camogie All-Stars.
The July awards celebrate the country’s stand out performers during a stellar month that included the All-Ireland Football and Hurling semi-finals and final, the All-Ireland Camogie semi-finals and the Ladies Football quarter and semi-finals.
Full forward Ryan O’Donoghue played a pivotal role in an historic month for Mayo. O’Donoghue scored 1-11 in a convincing victory over Louth in the semi-final, before delivering a display of ferocious intensity in the final against Kerry. O’Donoghue’s barn-storming run to set up Darragh Beirne’s goal will live long in Mayo memories, but he also added five points to an already impressive Championship tally.
Two monstrous performances for Gearóid Hegarty in Limerick’s semi-final and final match-ups have resulted in a well-deserved player of the month award for July. Hegarty put on a player of the match performance in a close-fought semi-final against Clare. In the final against Galway, the St Patrick’s club man delivered a selfless display, winning countless frees and puck-outs to help Limerick lift Liam McCarthy for the fifth time in seven years.
Kerry captain Síofra O’Shea proved unstoppable in front of goal in the month of July. Inspirational performances for a combined 2-14 across the quarter and semi-finals helped place the Kingdom in this year’s All-Ireland Final.
After securing a straight path to the semi-finals, Galway with Ciara Hickey at the forefront, proved too strong for Kilkenny in the last four. Player of the match Hickey was unstoppable on the day, dominating the breaking ball and displaying brilliant vision with her passing.
Enda McDonagh, Managing Partner, PwC Ireland, said: "July produced some truly memorable championship moments, with players across all four codes displaying remarkable skill, resilience and determination. It was a month that showcased the very best of Gaelic games. The joy that All Ireland winners Limerick and Mayo brought to their counties demonstrated the unique power of our national games to unite communities and inspire supporters.
“PwC is proud to partner with the GAA and GPA in recognising and supporting top-level talent across all four codes. On behalf of everyone at PwC, congratulations to Síofra O'Shea, Ciara Hickey, Ryan O'Donoghue and Gearóid Hegarty on being named the Players of the Month for July.”
Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Jarlath Burns, said: "It takes a truly iconic player to step up on the biggest stage of all and bend an All-Ireland final to their will. It says everything about Gearóid and Ryan that they distinguished themselves among a host of outstanding individual performances. Congratulations as well to Siofra O'Shea and Ciara Hickey who made such an enormous impact in their LGFA and Camogie Championship battles. I want to thank PwC for giving us the opportunity to salute these magnificent ambassadors for Gaelic games."
GPA CEO Tom Parsons said: “July is when our championships are at their peak and the pressure on players to perform is at its greatest. Ryan O’Donoghue, Gearóid Hegarty, Síofra O’Shea and Ciara Hickey all rose to that challenge. Their performances at the very pinnacle of the inter-county season helped light up our games and brought huge excitement and enjoyment to supporters across Ireland.
“What makes these awards even more special is that they are voted on by fellow players, which reflects the respect each of these players have earned through their performances, commitment and professionalism.
“To Ryan, Gearóid, Síofra and Ciara, congratulations on a thoroughly deserved honour. You have produced elite performances on the biggest stage.
“Our thanks, as always, to the GAA for their continued partnership in these awards and to PwC, whose longstanding support of inter-county players is greatly appreciated.”