Five Laois GAA hurlers named on 2025 Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year

The Laois senior hurlers' run to this year's Joe McDonagh Cup final against Kildare has seen them claim five spots on the 2025 Joe McDonagh Cup Team of the Year.

While Kildare took the spotlight with seven selections after their historic first-ever Joe McDonagh Cup triumph, Laois’ contribution to the team reflects the county’s consistent quality at this level.

Clough-Ballacolla duo Cathal Dunne and Diarmaid Conway, The Harps’ Pádraig Delaney, Camross sharpshooter Tomás Keyes, and Rathdowney-Errill stalwart Paddy Purcell have all been honoured for their standout seasons in blue and white.

Goalkeeper Cathal Dunne earned his place thanks to a string of top performances, including a spectacular double save in the final against Kildare. In defence, Pádraig Delaney and Diarmaid Conway were once again solid presences, both retaining their places from last year’s Team of the Year.

Captain Paddy Purcell secured back-to-back honours after another inspirational campaign, while Tomás Keyes was rewarded for his scoring consistency and leadership in the forward line.

There’s added local intrigue this weekend, as Clough-Ballacolla’s Diarmaid Conway and Cathal Dunne will line out against Camross’s Mossy Keyes in Sunday’s Laois Shopping Centre Senior Hurling Championship Final at Laois Hire O’Moore Park.

Joe Mc Donagh Cup Team of the Year: 

1. Cathal Dunne (Laois)  
2. Paul Doyle (Carlow)  
3. Rian Boran (Kildare)  
4. Simon Leacy (Kildare)  
5. Pádraig Delaney (Laois)  
6. Cian Boran (Kildare) 
7. Diarmaid Conway (Laois)  
8. James Burke (Kildare)  
9. Cathal McCabe (Kildare)  
10. Paddy Purcell (Laois) 
11. Tomás Keyes (Laois) 
12. David Qualter (Kildare)  
13. Martin Kavanagh (Carlow)  
14. Jack Sheridan (Kildare) 
15. Chris Nolan (Carlow)  

Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: "A fantastic Joe McDonagh Cup competition lives on in the calibre of this, the 2025 Team of the Year selection, which is crammed full of the players who made such a stellar contribution to their teams, and to the Championship overall. We do not play team sports for individual honours, but these awards afford us the opportunity to salute outstanding ambassadors for our games, and I congratulate all of our players and  the clubs and communities they proudly represent."  

Gaelic Players Association CEO Tom Parsons said: "Congratulations to the 15 players selected as the Joe McDonagh Team of the Year. While our games are all about the team, it is important to recognise individual excellence, and you have stood out in 2025. 

"In an historic year for Kildare as they won the competition for the first time, following up on their Christy Ring Cup success in 2024, seven of their players now get further recognition,  capping off a remarkable 18 months for the county. To the five Laois and three Carlow men who take the other spots, heartfelt congratulations. I want to thank all the squad reps who oversaw the votes from their counties and the selectors under the chairmanship of Pat Daly." 

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

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