Caelan Doris and Aoife Wafer named rugby writers players of the year | BreakingNews.ie
Ireland back rows Caelan Doris and Aoife Wafer have been named the men and women’s Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s and Men’s Players of The Year.
Doris was a key part of the Ireland side that won a second successive Six Nations title, in a campaign which saw him captain Ireland for the first side.
Doris also helped Ireland to a series draw in South Africa. He also helped Leinster to a third successive Champions Cup final.
Aoife Wafer had an outstanding season for the Ireland Women’s team in 2024. Her impressive performances in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations were pivotal to their strong third-place finish, with her efforts in the final round against Scotland helping secure qualification for both WXV1 and the 2025 Rugby World Cup.
The Ireland Men’s team was named the Dave Guiney Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Team of the Year in recognition of their victory in the 2024 Guinness Six Nations Championship. This marked their sixth title in Ireland’s history and their second consecutive Championship following up their Grand Slam victory in 2023.
For the third time in her career, Amee Leigh Murphy Crowe has been named the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s 7s Player of the Year.
A standout performer for Ireland in their historic first-ever Olympic Games in Paris, Murphy Crowe also helped secure the Women’s squad’s first-ever World Series Gold Medal last season, with a crucial try in the final against Australia.
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Zac Ward was named the men’s Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Men’s 7s Player of the Year, recognising his outstanding performances in 2023/2024.
Ward played a pivotal role in Ireland’s qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics and their subsequent run, including scoring a crucial try in their quarter-final against Fiji.
Ward has transitioned to the 15s format, joining Ulster Rugby on a trial basis and starting for Emerging Ireland during their South African tour.
Recognised prior to the event and honoured at the awards were hall of fame inductees Joy Neville and Keith Wood for their exceptional contributions to rugby throughout their playing careers and thereafter.
