Crowley, Doris, McCarthy, Aki and Gibson-Park get rugby writers' award nod

Edel McMahon, Aoife Wafer, Brittany Hogan, Aoife Dalton and Linda Djougang are nominated for the 2024 Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s XV player award. 

BIG YEAR: Linda Djougang, Jack Crowley and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe have all been recognised with nominations. 

Another successful year for Irish rugby has been recognised in the nominations for the 2024 Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards with Caelan Doris, Jack Crowley, Aoife Wafer and Edel McMahon among the players up for major honours as well the Ireland Men’s and Women’s XV and the Ireland Men’s Sevens teams.

Newly-appointed men’s captain Doris is one of five nominees for the Men’s XVs Player of the Year award announced on Friday ahead of this month’s annual awards dinner at the Guinness Storehouse in Dublin on November 18.

Crowley, Joe McCarthy, Bundee Aki and Jamison Gibson-Park are also recognised for their contributions to stellar year which saw Andy Farrell’s team retain their Six Nations title and earn a historic series draw in South Africa with the world champion Springboks.

History was also made by Ireland’s Women, who a year after a Six Nations wooden spoon in 2023, continued their rebuild under new head coach Scott Bemand claimed third place in the 2024 championship. That not only ensured qualification for next year’s World Cup in England but catapulted them from WXV3 to the top-tier WXV1, where they caused a huge shock by beating the world champions New Zealand in their first game in Vancouver and earned a second-placed finish with a win over the USA in their their and final match.

Those performances earned the Bemand’s side a Dave Guiney Team of the Year Award nomination while captain McMahon, fellow back-rowers Wafer and Brittany Hogan, centre Aoife Dalton and prop Linda Djougang are the nominees for the 2024 Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s XV Player of the Year Award.

Farrell’s Men’s XVs have also been nominated for the Team of the Year honour and are joined on the shortlist by the Men’s Sevens, as they finished second in the World Series and sixth at the Paris Olympics.

While the Women’s Sevens missed out on a Team of the Year award nomination the performances Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Eve Higgins and Erin King in helping them to a first ever World Series event gold medal this year have earned that trio a place on the shortlist for the Women’s 7s Player of the Year Award, while this year's nominees for Ireland Men’s 7s Player of the Year are Zac Ward, Terry Kennedy, and Harry McNulty.

“It gives me great pleasure to congratulate all the players and teams nominated for this year’s Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards,” Chair of the Rugby Writers of Ireland John Fallon said. 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.

“Irish rugby is going from strength to strength… 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.” 

On behalf of event and awards sponsors Guinness, Head of Partnerships for Diageo Rory Sheridan added: “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.” 

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