Award Sponsor

2019 & 2017 Gerald Bradley
(Sleacht Néill)

2018 Neil McManus
(Cushendall)

2016 Chrissy McKaigue
(Sleacht Néill)

The Hurler of the Year, sponsored by LS Results, will be announced on the night of the Gaelic Life All-Stars on March 11, at the Armagh City Hotel.

In the last four years, the award has been won by Cushendall star Neil McManus (2018) and Sleacht Néill’s Chrissy McKaigue (2016), Gerald Bradley (2017 and 2019).

Speaking after winning the award in the January 2020 ceremony, Bradley said he was humbled by the decision of our judges: “I was sitting at the table out there and there were a few boys who could have won that award more than me.

“I am just accepting this award of behalf of them. In the Dunloy game and the Middletown game, a lot of men put their hands up for these awards.

“There was a good bond on our Sleacht Néill team this year. More than any other year, I am just happy to be there on behalf of them.”

The Gaelic Life team will select a winner from our hurling team of the year, which was officially announced earlier this month.

Not surprisingly, there was a strong Sleacht Néill contingent following their latest success in Ulster. Paul McNeill, Meehaul McGrath, Shane McGuigan, Cormac O’Doherty, Brendan Rogers and Brian Cassidy all made the grade and will receive their awards on March 11.

Intermediate Champions Banagher are represented on the final 15 by Cathair McGilligan and goalkeeper Darrel McDermott, so they’re also in the running for the big individual prize, while Junior kingpins Craobh Rua have two award winners, Conor McKevitt and Fionnan Burns.

Others in with a shout include Dunloy All-Star Conal Cunning, Ballycran’s Sean Ennis, Carrickmacross’ James Slevin and Lisbellaw’s Caolan Duffy and Daniel Teague.

The Gaelic Life panel will handpick a winner who has shone exceptionally brightly for his club in the last season, particularly in the bearpit that is the Ulster Championship. A hurler who has led from the front on the biggest stage, who displays exceptional talent, who shows good sportsmanship – these are all things that will be taken into consideration. It’s a tough choice and there are many worthy potential recipients – but there can be only one winner.