Doris and Wafer scoop top gongs at Rugby Writers Ireland awards

Ireland and Leinster back-row Caelan Doris, and Ireland Women’s star, Aoife Wafer. Pic: Ben Brady/Inpho

Outstanding seasons across Irish rugby were honoured at the Guinness Rugby Writers Ireland awards in Dublin on Tuesday night as Aoife Wafer and Caelan Doris were crowned Women’s XVs and Men’s XVs Players of the Year respectively for 2024.

On a night that saw Zac Ward and Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe collect their respective Men’s and Women’s Sevens Player of the Year awards, Ireland’s Men’s XVs named Dave Guiney Team of the Year and Ballyclare honoured as Club of the Year at the Guinness Storehouse, Doris had a further reason to celebrate this week having been nominated for World Rugby Men’s XVs Player of the Year.

The No.8, currently captaining Ireland during the continuing Autumn Nations Series played a key role in helping his country secure back-to-back Guinness Six Nations titles in 2024 and led Andy Farrell’s side to a series-levelling second Test win in South Africa against the world champions during the summer, a significant set of achievements that earned his squad and management the Team of the Year award.

Back-rower Wafer was just as influential for the Ireland Women’s team in a year that saw them finish third in the Women’s Six Nations to qualify for next year’s World Cup in England, and then defeat both New Zealand’s Black Ferns and the USA on their elevation to WXV1.

Murphy Crowe claimed Women’s 7s Player of the Year award for the third time in her career as Ireland made their Olympic Games debut in Paris, having also helped them secure their first World Series Gold Medal in 2024 with a crucial try in the final against Australia.

Ward’s emergence as the Men’s 7s Player of the Year saw him make his Olympic debut at the Summer Games.

Also honoured on the night was former Connacht Rugby chief executive Gerry Kelly, recipient of the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Tom Rooney Award in recognition of his management of the western province for more than two decades.

RWI members voted Ballyclare RFC their Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Club of the Year following their first season in the AIL having secured promotion through the play-offs having also won the All-Ireland Junior Cup.

Joy Neville and Keith Wood’s contributions to Irish Rugby as players and post-retirement were honoured with their inductions to the Hall of Fame while a new award named in honour of Fred Cogley went to legendary rugby media figures Edmund Van Esbeck and Len Dinneen.

Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards 2024 – Winners 

Women’s XV Player of the Year: Aoife Wafer 

Men’s XV Player of the Year: Caelan Doris 

Men’s 7s Player of the Year: Zac Ward 

Women’s 7s Player of the Year: Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe 

Dave Guiney Team of the Year: Ireland Senior Men’s team 

Club of the Year: Ballyclare RFC 

Tom Rooney Award: Gerry Kelly 

Hall of Fame Inductees: Joy Neville & Keith Wood 

Fred Cogley Award: Edmund Van Esbeck & Len Dinneen