Boran and Beirne honoured as Kildare dominate gala event

Sat, 18 Oct, 2025 - 09:09

Naas duo Cian Boran and Alex Beirne were the big winners as they were named as the Players of the Year for the McDonagh Cup and Taileann Cup respectively on a night when 12 Kildare players were honoured.

The award caps an incredible year for 21-year-old Boran. It started with being named on the Fitzgibbon Cup Team of the Year and featured man of the match performances along the way in the McDonagh Cup final for Kildare and the county for Naas as he has collected a whole of medals and individual awards along the away.

Beirne, who unfortunately couldn't attend on the night and whose award was accepted by Brian Flanagan on his behalf, was named at centre forward on the Tailteann Cup team of the year this week, in recognition of the starring role he played for the Lilywhites in their push for silverware and promotion back into the Sam Maguire Cup for 2026, scoring 3-33 in the campaign.

In total, seven Kildare players received McDonagh Cup awardstarget="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">, while five players received recognition on the Tailteann Cup team as Kildare completed a tier 2 double.

Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “No one sets out at the start of a season with individual awards as a motivation, but it is important to recognise those players who by their actions are an inspiration and are ambassadors for our games through their performances. Alex, Cian, Seán, Conor and Liam have been chosen as a special group who made a lasting contribution to what was a successful championship summer. I know this is an award that will be cherished by your families and clubs who you proudly represent.”

GPA CEO Tom Parsons said: “Congratulations to Liam, Conor, Seán, Cian and Alex on being selected as being the best of the best in their individual competitions in 2025. Your performances stood out among your peers, and you should be extremely proud on what you have achieved this season.” The presentation of the overall awards at Croke Park was the high point of an evening that celebrated the footballers and hurlers who earlier this week were announced on the Tailteann, McDonagh, and Champion 15 for Ring, Rackard and Meagher teams of the year.

Kildare hurlers Cathal McCabe and James Burke, second from right, receive their 2025 Joe McDonagh Team of the Year awards from Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Jarlath Burns, left, and GPA Chief Executive Officer Tom Parsons

Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

GPA Chief Executive Officer Tom Parsons, left, and Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael Jarlath Burns, right, present Kildare footballers, from left, Harry O'Neill, Darragh Kirwan, Kevin Feely and James McGrath with their Tailteann Cup of the Year Awards

Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile