Jack Crowley, Jamison Gibson-Park, Caelan Doris and Joe McCarthy all join Aki on the shortlist for the 2024 Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Men’s XVs Player of the Year Award.
The Irish Women’s XVs showcased remarkable resilience and determination throughout their 2024 campaign, earning promotion to the prestigious WXV1. This fighting spirit is reflected in the nominees for this year's Women’s XVs Player of the Year: Brittany Hogan, Aoife Wafer, Aoife Dalton, Edel McMahon, and Linda Djougang.
The Irish Sevens programme continues to thrive, with both the men's and women's teams delivering strong performances on the world stage. With both teams qualifying and competing at the Paris Olympics, the Women’s squad brought home the first ever World Series Gold Medal last season with the Men’s side finishing second in the world. This year's nominees for Ireland Men’s 7s Player of the Year are Zac Ward, Terry Kennedy, and Harry McNulty. Vying for the Women’s 7 Player of the Year title are Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, making a return to the shortlist, alongside teammates Eve Higgins and Erin King.
The Ireland Senior Women’s team, Ireland Senior Men’s team and Ireland Men’s 7s team are all nominated for the prestigious Dave Guiney Team of the Year accolade. The Women’s XVs had a third-place finish in their Guinness Six Nations campaign with a strong win against Scotland in the final round. This led the team to qualification for WXV1 as well as to the Rugby World Cup in 2025.The Men’s XVs meanwhile secured a dominant sixth Guinness Six Nations Championship, their second in a row. The Men’s 7s team delivered a strong performance throughout 2024, finishing second in the Men's 7s Rugby Europe Championship and achieving a 6th place finish at the Paris Olympics, including a memorable win over South Africa.
John Fallon, Chair of the Rugby Writers of Ireland added: “It gives me great pleasure to congratulate all the players and teams nominated for this year’s Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards. We look forward to recognising their achievements at what is always a special occasion. This season has been one of remarkable progress and success across the board. From the men’s team securing a historic back-to-back Guinness Six Nations title to the women’s team’s promotion to WXV1 and qualification to the Rugby World Cup in 2025, Irish rugby is going from strength to strength. Our Sevens teams also deserve huge recognition for their performances throughout the year. We are proud to honour the commitment and talent of these athletes and would like to extend our thanks to Guinness for their continued support of these awards.”
Commenting on the nominee announcement, Head of Partnerships for Diageo, Rory Sheridan said: “This season has once again showcased the incredible talent within Irish Rugby, with impressive results and captivating performances seen across all levels and teams. I want to extend my congratulations to all those recognised today by the Rugby Writers of Ireland and acknowledge the hard work of every player who contributed to their team's journey. It's inspiring to witness the dedication and team spirit displayed throughout the rugby season, and we are proud to celebrate the achievements of these athletes from all four provinces. We wish them all the very best for what promises to be a memorable and enjoyable evening.”
All award nominations are below:
RWI 2024 AWARDS – NOMINATIONS
Women’s XV Player of the Year:
- Aoife Wafer
- Brittany Hogan
- Edel McMahon
- Linda Djougang
- Aoife Dalton
Men’s XV Player of the Year:
- Caelan Doris
- Jack Crowley
- Joe McCarthy
- Bundee Aki
- Jamison Gibson-Park
Men’s 7s Player of the Year:
- Zac Ward
- Terry Kennedy
- Harry McNulty
Women’s 7s Player of the Year:
- Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe
- Eve Higgins
- Erin King
Dave Guiney Team of the Year:
- Ireland Senior Men’s team
- Ireland Senior Women’s team
- Ireland Men’s 7s team
