The PwC GPA Women’s Player of the Month and PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Month winners for April have been announced, rewarding fine performances from some of the country’s top players as the championship got underway.
Beth Carton (Waterford) & Kayleigh Cronin (Kerry) are April winners of the PwC GPA Women’s Player of the Month Awards for football and camogie respectively.
John Conlon (Clare) receives the PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Month Award, with his fellow Banner man Keelan Sexton (Clare) awarded the PwC GAA/GPA Footballer of the Month Awards winners title for April.
Carton drove Waterford to Very Camogie Division 1b league glory, scoring eight points in a Player of the Match performance as the Déise picked up their first trophy in eight years. She continued her stellar form into the Munster Senior Camogie Championship with her 10 points helping Waterford secure a famous win over rivals Cork, their first competitive victory over the Rebels in eight years.
Cronin was instrumental in Kerry’s Allianz League final win against Galway, while she put in a strong performance in Kerry’s opening TG4 Munster Football Championship win against Waterford.
Conlon played a key part in Clare’s famous victory over All-Ireland champions Limerick at the Gaelic grounds. The Clonlara man put in a solid performance at the back, rightly earning man-of-the-match honours for his efforts.
Sexton played an important role as Clare edged a thrilling encounter with rivals Limerick to reach a first Munster Senior football final since 2012. Sexton’s crucial second minute goal was the difference between the two sides.
Commenting on the announcement, Feargal O’Rourke, Managing Partner, PwC Ireland, said: “Everyone at PwC would like to extend our warmest congratulations to Kayleigh, Beth, John and Keelan on being named the April Player of the Month Award winners. We are proud to acknowledge and celebrate excellence in men’s and women’s Gaelic Games equally, and each of these players demonstrated superb individual performances, which were vital for their teams in April. We wish them all the best as the Championship season starts to pick up pace and we look forward to an exciting summer of action on the pitch.”
Uachtarán Chumann Lúthchleas Gael, Larry McCarthy said: “It’s great to see the return of the Player of the Month Awards and hearty congratulations to Beth and Kayleigh and John and Keelan on their respective awards.
“All four of you shone individually in strong team performances and have been honoured by your peers, which is always special.
“Every best wish to you all in the weeks and months ahead and a special word of thanks to PwC and the GPA for their role in the organisation of the awards.”
GPA CEO Tom Parsons said; “Congratulations to Beth and Kayleigh and John and Keelan on your respective awards. They are well merited and you should also take pride in the fact that you have been voted by your fellow players to be recognised in this way. Our games are all about the collective and the team element but it’s important that individual excellence is also awarded.
“As this is the first Player of the Month event for 2023 I also want to thank our long term partner in PwC for their ongoing support for inter-county players. It is greatly appreciated. Thank you too to the team in the GAA for your ongoing partnership in these awards.”
The PwC GPA Women’s Player of the Month and PwC GAA/GPA Players of the Month Award winners are voted for by the GPA’s membership.
