Mayo rugby star shortlisted for 2024 Guinness Rugby Writers Awards

The Rugby Writers of Ireland have announced the nominees for the 2024 Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Awards, celebrating a standout year for Irish rugby with Mayo’s own Caelan Doris among those honoured.

Doris, hailing from Lacken joins Six Nations champions Jack Crowley, Joe McCarthy, Bundee Aki, and Jamison Gibson-Park in the shortlist for Men’s XV Player of the Year. The Men’s XV team achieved back-to-back Six Nations victories.

In Women’s rugby, nominees Brittany Hogan, Aoife Wafer, Aoife Dalton, Edel McMahon, and Linda Djougang are recognised for their roles in promoting Ireland’s Women’s XV team to the elite WXV1 tier and steering them toward the 2025 Rugby World Cup.

Ireland’s Sevens teams, enjoying historic success, Zac Ward, Terry Kennedy, and Harry McNulty nominated for Men’s 7s Player of the Year, while Amee-Leigh Murphy Crowe, Eve Higgins, and Erin King contend for Women’s 7s Player of the Year.

The prestigious Team of the Year category will feature Ireland’s Senior Women’s, Senior Men’s, and Men’s 7s teams, each with impressive seasons. Caelan Doris and his teammates are expected to lead the celebrations for a year that has brought Irish rugby to new heights.

John Fallon, Chair of the Rugby Writers of Ireland, praised the players’ dedication, while Diageo’s Rory Sheridan noted the talent across all Irish teams.

The awards ceremony will honour these achievements in what promises to be a memorable night for Irish rugby and another proud milestone for north Mayo's own, Caelan Doris.