2025 Players of the Championship

[redsetanta]

For those of you who attended or watched a lot of games in the championship, were this years winners the outstanding player in the respective championship or would they have been run close by others. Who, if any, were the close contenders?

[Laois345]

In my opinion, Cha Dwyer was the outstanding performer of the hurling championship. Followed by Mossy Keyes (who had a quiet final - well shackled)

Neither won the county final however, which seems to have been decisive. Stephen Bergin did have a great year, but he was not the best player in the championship, imo.

[SCFC]

Senior football. Best player won the award in Paddy O'Sullivan. Rioghan Murphy and Alex Mohan very good too. Sean O'Flynn was excellent any time I saw him. Mikey Dempsey was good too.

[Laoisred]

I agree with the poster above, and thought Cha Dwyer was really good in the senior championship games this year. Jack Kelly  was impressive and has been rewarded by being called back in with Laois. Mossy Keyes was excellent in the semi final but had a quiet final so that probably worked against him. Bergin had a good semi-final and a very good final, which is when it matters. I guess he also took on the mantle of primary scorer this year too in Picky's absence so can totally understand how he got the award.
In Premier Intermediate Connolly was good but so was his team mate James Finn, often tasked with picking up the key opposition player. Micheal Cleary looked good for RE this year too but had a quiet final.

For me it was interesting to see that some of the older players are still playing very well for their club teams - Zane Keenan for Camross, Willie Dunphy for Clough Ballacolla, Joe Fitz for RE at Premier Intermediate level.

Also interesting that the inter county hurler of the year Dooley, wasn't one of the 5 Laois men that made the Joe Mc Team of the year - Dunne, Conway, Delaney, Purcell and Keyes. Different criteria being used I suppose or maybe Dooley was nominated by his teammates. I'm not sure. Either way, it also serves to show how long the season is for these lads, (some went very well earlier in the year), and how hard it is for them to maintain high standards from February through to October.

[Laois345]

Dooley tailed off a small bit towards the end of the Joe McDonagh campaign but still should have been on the TOTY

With all due respect to Paddy Purcell, who was a phenomenal servant to Laois hurling, he should not have been near that Joe McDonagh team of the year.

[Blueforever]

Conway from CB and O Sullivan from Port honourable mention to Cha in HUrling and Piggott in football