Irish Rugby | Beirne And Wafer Named Guinness Rugby Writers Players Of The Year

Ireland stars Aoife Wafer and Tadhg Beirne have been named the respective Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s and Men’s 15s Players of the Year.

These awards acknowledge their significant contributions to both club and country throughout the 2024/25 season. Wafer claiming the award for the second year in a row is the culmination of what was another remarkable season in green.

The 22-year-old was part of Ireland’s terrific WXV1 victory over New Zealand, earned the 2025 Guinness Women’s Six Nations Player of the Championship award, and showed tremendous determination to recover from injury to play a part in Ireland’s Rugby World Cup campaign.

Beirne’s consistent excellence saw the Munster captain earn his first Player of the Year selection from the Rugby Writers of Ireland.

The versatile 33-year-old forward capped off another stellar season by being picked out as the Player of the Series for the British & Irish Lions during their 2-1 series win over the Wallabies in Australia.

Andy Farrell’s British & Irish Lions scooped the Dave Guiney Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Team of the Year award in recognition of their series triumph. The Lions squad included 18 Ireland players, including 12 who featured in the three Tests against Australia.

Meanwhile, Hannah Clarke was chosen as the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Women’s Sevens Player of the Year.

Ireland’s top try scorer in what was her debut season, the 20-year-old is part of the IRFU’s centrally-contracted squad and ran in a memorable match-winning try for Connacht against Ulster as Emer O’Dowd’s side claimed third place in the Vodafone Women’s Interprovincial Championship.

Ireland Men’s Sevens speedster Dylan O’Grady received the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Men’s Sevens Player of the Year award, recognising his outstanding performances in 2024/25.

The former Ireland Under-20 international was a consistent source of tries for the side, most notably in a standout performance against New Zealand in Singapore.

Also honoured on the night was former IRFU National Talent Development Manager, Hendrik Kruger, who was presented with the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Tom Rooney award.

Kruger, originally from South Africa, has played pivotal roles in the establishment of development structures that have aided not only the professional Men’s and Women’s game at the national level, but at provincial level in Leinster and in grassroots rugby with Dundalk RFC.

Nenagh Ormond RFC were voted the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Club of the Year on the back of their meteoric rise to Energia All-Ireland League Men’s Division 1A this year.

Back-to-back promotions for the Tipperary club, including their last-minute heroics during last season’s promotion play-offs, now see them competing in Irish club rugby’s top division.

Last season also saw Nenagh get their hands on the Munster Senior Challenge Cup, becomng the first team from the Premier county to lift the trophy in its 139-year history.

Recognised prior to the event and honoured at the awards for their exceptional contributions to rugby throughout their playing careers and thereafter were Hall of Fame inductees Nora Stapleton and Nigel Carr.

Stapleton, a 50-times capped Ireland out-half, was instrumental in the 2013 Grand Slam and the 2014 win over New Zealand, and now leads Women in Sport for Sport Ireland.

Carr, an 11-times capped Ireland openside flanker, was key to the 1985 Triple Crown and remains a significant contributor to the sport and community.

Finally, media legends Frank Quinn and John D. O’Brien were also honoured on the night with the Fred Cogley award.

This was a new addition to the awards last year, with the late, great Fred Cogley one of the best in his field in sports commentary. Quinn and O’Brien become just the second pair to be recognised for their lasting imprint on Irish sports media.

John Fallon, Chair of the Rugby Writers of Ireland, said: “I would like to congratulate all of our award winners who were nominated and voted for by members of the Rugby Writers of Ireland.

“In what has been a fruitful period for Irish Rugby, the 2024/25 season provided more memorable moments. The Women’s team continue to grow, and their performances in the Guinness Women’s Six Nations and at the Rugby World Cup show the remarkable improvements that have been made in recent seasons.

“Our Men’s team took home another Triple Crown, and there were a record 18 Ireland players were selected for the British & Irish Lions tour to Australia.

“We also saw outstanding performances from both our Men’s and Women’s Sevens teams, highlighted by Dylan O’Grady’s Player of the Year award and Hannah Clarke’s exceptional debut season.

“It is a privilege also to acknowledge Hendrik Kruger’s impact on Irish Rugby at all levels, our wonderful Hall of Fame inductees, and last but not least, our colleagues Frank Quinn and John D. O’Brien.

“We thank each of our winners and indeed, nominees for their unwavering commitment to Irish Rugby. My sincere thanks also go to Guinness for their continued and invaluable sponsorship of these awards.”

Rory Sheridan, Head of Partnerships for Diageo, added: “As a long-term partner of both Irish Rugby and the Rugby Writers of Ireland, we are proud to celebrate these outstanding achievements during the 2024/25 season, and long-standing contributions to the game and its community.

“Every season delivers memorable matches and performances, success and disappointments, and it’s thanks to the invaluable work of the Rugby Writers of Ireland that these stories are captured and shared with fans everywhere.

“We thank them for their talent and dedication and look forward to witnessing the continued growth and prosperity of Irish Rugby in 2026. Congratulations to all of the winners and nominees recognised this evening.”

On receiving her Player of the Year award, Wafer commented:

I am truly honoured to have been recognised once again this year by the Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland.

“While we have achieved some big goals this year, we were disappointed with our finish at the World Cup but the experience has only strengthened our determination to improve and come back stronger.

“Thank you to everyone who got behind the team throughout this year. I am incredibly thankful for the support of my family, friends, and team-mates throughout a challenging year.

“I’m especially grateful for the medical team, particularly Ed Mias and Emma Galvin, who looked after my rehab and gave me the opportunity to perform in a groundbreaking World Cup, and also realise a childhood dream.

“I can’t wait to continue building the Green Wave, alongside the team, towards some exciting new chapters this coming year.”

Speaking about his award win, Beirne stated: “I’m honoured to receive the 2025 Guinness Rugby Writers of Ireland Men’s Player of the Year award.

“It’s been a memorable year for myself personally, and while we didn’t achieve everything we wanted to with Ireland and Munster, getting that win in Australia with the Lions was something I’ll look back on as one of the best memories of my career.

“No individual reward in rugby can be acknowledged without mentioning the support and efforts of my team-mates, at provincial and national level.

“I never take being part of these special groups for granted, and I’m excited to kick on with them ahead of an exciting part of the season.”