Cork's Amy O'Connor, Clare's Shane O'Donnell scoop Personality of the Year Awards

Dublin's James McCarthy and Hannah Tyrrell were also honoured. 

Personality of the Year recipient, Cork camogie player Amy O'Connor with her award at the Gaelic Writers' Association Awards, supported by EirGrid, at the Iveagh Garden Hotel in Dublin. Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

Dublin pair James McCarthy and Hannah Tyrrell, Cork’s Amy O’Connor and Clare forward Shane O’Donnell have been named as the Gaelic Writers Association’s Personality of the Year awards in association with Eirgrid.

At the GWA’s annual dinner in Dublin on Friday evening, former “Irish Independent” chief sports writer Vincent Hogan was the recipient of a lifetime achievement award while Leinster GAA’s Brendan Minnock picked up the PRO of the Year award.

Former Monaghan star footballer Brenda McAnespie, Kilkenny’s Downey sisters, Ann and Angela, Antrim great Terence McNaughton and Sligo’s Mickey Kearins of Sligo were inducted into the GWA Hall of Fame.

GWA Camogie Personality of the Year O’Connor scored a hat-trick of goals in just three minutes of Cork’s All-Ireland final win over Waterford back in August as she picked up her fifth Celtic Cross and lifted the O’Duffy Cup for the first time as captain.

 Personality of the Year recipient, Clare hurler Shane O'Donnell with his award at the Gaelic Writers' Association Awards, supported by EirGrid, at the Iveagh Garden Hotel in Dublin. Pic:  Brendan Moran/Sportsfile

O’Donnell shot to fame in 2013 after hitting 3-3 in Clare’s All-Ireland final replay victory over Cork, while his performances last year saw the Éire Óg Ennis man land his first All Star award after overcoming a serious episode of concussion. He maintained his fine form in 2023 and has been nominated for another All-Star.

McCarthy has fronted Dublin football’s dominance of the game over the last 12 years, winning a record ninth All-Ireland medal earlier this year as captain and a six-in-a-row back in 2020. Tyrrell stole the show for Dublin in this year’s All-Ireland ladies football final, scoring eight points in the victory over Kerry as she landed her first senior title.

EirGrid are the sponsor of the All-Ireland U20 football championship and the official timing sponsor of the GAA.

2023 Gaelic Writers Association winners:

• Football Personality of the Year – James McCarthy (Dublin) 
• Ladies Football Personality of the Year – Hannah Tyrrell (Dublin) 
• Hurling Personality of the Year – Shane O’Donnell (Clare) 
• Camogie Personality of the Year – Amy O’Connor (Cork) 
• Football Hall of Fame – Mickey Kearins (Sligo) 
• Ladies Football Hall of Fame – Brenda McAnespie (Monaghan) 
• Hurling Hall of Fame – Terence McNaughton (Antrim) 
• Camogie Hall of Fame – Ann and Angela Downey (Kilkenny) 
• PRO of the Year – Brendan Minnock (Leinster GAA) 
• Lifetime Achievement Award – Vincent Hogan (Irish Independent).