Hurler of the year 2025 - GPA/GAA

Hurler of the Year 2025: McGrath, Morris or Hayes — Who Deserves the Crown?

There’s little doubt that hurling in 2025 hit a thrilling peak — and now the real debate begins: who among McGrath, Morris or Hayes is most deserving of the PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year?

The Shortlist: A Look at the Contenders:

After dozens of standout performances this summer, the shortlist for the 2025 PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year has been boiled down to three forwards:

  • John McGrath (Tipperary)

  • Jake Morris (Tipperary)

  • Brian Hayes (Cork)

In parallel, the Young Hurler of the Year contenders are Adam English (Limerick), Darragh McCarthy (Tipperary) and Robert Doyle (Tipperary).

These names emerged from a 45-player All-Star shortlist, selected by a panel of media correspondents across print, radio, TV and digital, chaired by Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns.

That shortlist comprises 3 goalkeepers, 18 defenders, 6 midfielders and 18 forwards. 

Tipperary dominate that field with 13 nominations. Cork follow with 11, Limerick 7, Kilkenny 6, Dublin 4, Waterford 2, and one each from Galway and Wexford.

 

Metrics & Case Arguments: Who Has the Edge?

To decide who should win, we need to go deeper — stats, consistency, game impact, and “moments” matter.

John McGrath (Tipperary)

  • In the All-Ireland final, McGrath struck 2-2, a big haul, from the big man, on the biggest stage.
  • Over the championship, he’s been a consistent scoring threat.
  • His presence in Tipp’s attack gives balance: he’s reliable when Tipp need to convert under pressure.

Jake Morris (Tipperary)

  • Morris has also been prolific. From play alone, he recorded 0-24 in the championship.
  • In the final vs Cork, he added 0-2.
  • For a player who can operate off the main scoring line, his movement, pressing and involvement in Tipp’s forward structure merit consideration.

Brian Hayes (Cork)

  • Hayes posted 5-9 in the season. 
  • Being from the runner-up side (Cork made final) gives him weight as having carried his team further.
  • Cork’s comprehensive defeat in the final (losing by a large margin) works against his case.
  • Some will argue that his impact, though strong, does not eclipse what McGrath or Morris achieved on the winner’s side.

Narrative & Context

  • This year will produce a first-time winner, as none of the three have previously won Hurler of the Year.

  • Tipperary’s dominance in nominations (13) sends a message: the team’s collective strength is being rewarded and justifiably so.

  • Surprisingly, Ronan Maher, Tipp’s captain and a man-of-the-match in the final, was omitted from the Hurler of the Year shortlist (though included among All-Stars).

From a narrative angle: the race is as much about team success vs individual brilliance as it is about raw scoring. Being part of the All-Ireland champions gives McGrath and Morris structural advantage; Hayes offers the counterargument of high output from a less successful base.

Prediction:

My pick: John McGrath edges it. He combines scoring consistency, big-game delivery, name recognition and the advantage of being on the winning side. In a tight vote, those marginal edges matter.

 

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