
Waterford duo named as May winners of Women's GAA Player of the Month awards
Meanwhile, Limerick talisman Cian Lynch and Donegal's Michael Murphy have been named the PwC GAA/GPA Hurler and Footballer of the month, respectively.
Advertisement
The Player of the Month awards aim to recognise the country's standout players from the Provincial Championships as well as the opening rounds of the 2025 All-Ireland Championships.
Niamh Rockett made history with the Déise as they recorded their first ever senior championship victory over Kilkenny in Nowlan Park, on May 31st.
Rockett, who has this year taken over free taking duties, scored nine of Waterford's 17 points, including three in the final minutes to secure the victory.
Rockett will look to continue her scintillating form in the next round as Waterford take on Dublin Saturday, June 21st.
Advertisement
The Waterford ladies football team came agonisingly close to overcoming the reigning All-Ireland champions Kerry with Kellyann Hogan's six well taken scores a key factor in the Déise running Kerry close.
Hogan dusted herself off and put in a dominant performance in nine-point victory against Cork in Dungarvan, booking a rematch against the Kingdom in the Munster Football Championship final.
Hogan was first on the scoreboard and delivered a standout performance in the middle of the park throughout. Four scores from the Ballymacarby clubwoman were unfortunately not enough however as Waterford tasted defeat at the hands of the Kingdom once more.
Cian Lynch and Michael Murphy
A month in which Cian Lynch delivered commanding performances for Limerick in the Munster Hurling Championship has earned him the May player of the month award.
Advertisement
Cian Lynch (L) and Michael Murphy (R). Photo (R): Inpho/Leah Scholes
Two pivotal wins over Waterford and Cork kept the six in a row dream alive with Lynch being the focal point in each. Three scores accompanied by an array of immaculate skills earned Lynch the Man of the Match award after a six-point triumph over Waterford.
In the next clash against league champions Cork in the TUS Gaelic Grounds, Limerick and Lynch in particular showed up from the opening whistle. The Limerick captain and playmaker was instrumental in a decisive 16-point victory which booked Limerick's spot in their seventh consecutive Munster final.
Donegal stalwart Michael Murphy has been awarded the May player of the month award for his inspirational performances throughout the month, none more prominent than the Ulster title decider versus defending All-Ireland champions Armagh.
After taking a year off Murphy appears to be back to his best, dominating aerial contests and overpowering his opposition.
Advertisement
A repeat of last year's Ulster final, the returning Murphy was the difference-maker, scoring three points and helping set up plenty more as Donegal retained their provincial crown. Murphy followed this up with an eight-point haul in a defeat against Tyrone in the All-Ireland series.
Managing Partner at PwC Ireland, Enda McDonagh, said: 'May brought a series of exceptional performances across all codes, as thrilling provincial campaigns concluded and the All-Ireland Championship series burst into life.
'On behalf of everyone at PwC, heartfelt congratulations to Niamh, Kellyann, Cian, and Michael on being honoured as May's Players of the Month."
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
Manchester United secure signing of sought-after 20-goal striker
Manchester United have completed the signing of Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford for an initial fee of £65m, which could rise to £71m with add-ons. This transfer pushes Ruben Amorim 's summer spending on attackers past £120m, with Mbeumo joining Matheus Cunha and teenage left-back Diego Leon. Mbeumo, who scored 20 Premier League goals last season, has signed a five-year contract at Old Trafford, with the club holding an option for a further year. The Cameroon international expressed his long-standing desire to join Manchester United, stating it was the club of his dreams and the team he supported growing up. United's director of football, Jason Wilcox, praised Mbeumo's exceptional goal and assist record in the Premier League, highlighting his consistency and determination to join the club.


BreakingNews.ie
25 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Bryan Mbeumo completes move to Manchester United from Brentford
Manchester United have completed the long-awaited signing of Brentford forward Bryan Mbeumo for a fee rising to £71 million (€81 million). Nearly seven weeks after seeing their first offer rebuffed, the Red Devils finally have their man and the 25-year-old has signed a deal until 2030 with the option of a further year. Advertisement Mbeumo leaves Brentford for an initial £65 million (€74 million) fee that the PA news agency understands could rise by a further £6m should certain add-on clauses related to team and player be achieved. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manchester United (@manchesterunited) 'As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams; the team whose shirt I wore growing up,' the Cameroon international said. 'My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday. I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here, learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players. 'Everybody told me about the environment that is being created here and how exciting the plans are for the future. This is a massive club, with an incredible stadium and amazing fans, we are all really determined to challenge for the biggest trophies.' Advertisement Mbeumo is set to join United on their three-game pre-season tour of the United States, where Ruben Amorim's side head to following training on Tuesday. Director football Jason Wilcox said: 'Bryan's goals and assists record in the Premier League is exceptional, his remarkable consistency has put him amongst the most productive players in England for the last three seasons. 'Bryan's belief in our project and determination to join the club confirmed that he was the perfect fit for Manchester United and the culture that we are developing. 'We are delighted to have secured another one of our primary targets ahead of the pre-season tour. The experience in the US will be the perfect opportunity for Bryan to work with Ruben and his new team-mates as we prepare for an exciting season ahead.' Advertisement Mbeumo has been a key summer target for the Red Devils, who made a first approach of £45m plus £10m in potential add-ons in early June. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Manchester United (@manchesterunited) United followed that up with an improved proposal exceeding £60m a few weeks later but talks stalled as Brentford held out for a greater fee. The west London club's director of football Phil Giles said at the end of June he 'wouldn't be massively surprised' if Mbeumo stayed but the impasse was finally overcome at the end of last week. Sources have indicated that United were irked by the way negotiations were handled at times as the valuation fluctuated, with a price of £70m plus £7m mentioned at one point. Advertisement Tottenham – now managed by former Brentford boss Thomas Frank – showed interest in a summer move for Mbeumo, with sources indicating Newcastle, Arsenal and Chelsea also did to varying levels. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Brentford Football Club (@brentfordfc) Giles paid tribute to Mbeumo on the Bees' website on Monday evening, saying: 'Bryan came to us as a teenager, and it has been an absolute pleasure for all of us here to watch him develop as a player and a person. 'Our fans have loved him, and he has been a part of some of our greatest days. 'There is always a right time for a player to move on and, for Bryan, that time is now. He has the opportunity to go to one of the biggest clubs in the world, and we are very happy for him.' Advertisement Mbeumo interested several other Premier League clubs (Bradley Collyer/PA) Mbeumo follows fellow forward Matheus Cunha – United's other top summer target – to Old Trafford. The Brazil international joined from Wolves last month for £62.5m, while Diego Leon linked up after striking a deal with Cerro Porteno in January. In terms of outgoings, Marcus Rashford is set to leave his boyhood club for Barcelona and an announcement could come on Tuesday. The 27-year-old, who ended last season at Aston Villa, is in Spain to complete a loan move to Barcelona with an option to buy. PA understands a recall clause has not been included. Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia continue looking for new clubs and are not expected to fly to the US as part of the tour squad.


Daily Mail
25 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Bryan Mbeumo reveals why he joined Man United in his first words since sealing £71m transfer from Brentford
Manchester United 's newest signing has revealed why he joined the club in his first words since his £71million move from Brentford was confirmed. Byran Mbeumo if officially a United player, with the Red Devils confirming his move on Monday evening, nearly two months since they tabled their first bid for the Cameroon attacker. Mbeumo, 25, made it clear that he only wanted to join United even though he came under pressure from Brentford to listen to a rival offer from Tottenham. There was also interest from Arsenal and Newcastle, while Chelsea are believed to have made a late attempt to hijack the deal in the last two weeks of negotiations. United are said to be unhappy with Brentford for dragging out the talks and changing their valuation – at one stage raising their demand to £70m plus £7m in add-ons. They are also believed to have put pressure on Mbeumo to lower his wage demands so United could offer a larger transfer fee. There is, though, relief around Old Trafford that they have finally captured a player who has averaged an impressive 18 goal contributions per season since Brentford's promotion to the top-flight. There was a point where it was thought that Mbeumo could potentially be headed elsewhere, but the forward himself revealed there was little doubt in his own mind when he heard of United's interest. Mbeumo said: 'As soon as I knew there was a chance to join Manchester United, I had to take the opportunity to sign for the club of my dreams; the team whose shirt I wore growing up. 'My mentality is to always be better than I was yesterday. I know that I have the spirit and character to reach another level here, learning from Ruben Amorim and playing alongside world-class players. 'Everybody told me about the environment that is being created here and how exciting the plans are for the future. This is a massive club, with an incredible stadium and amazing fans, we are all really determined to challenge for the biggest trophies.' Jason Wilcox, United's director of football, added: 'Bryan's goals and assists record in the Premier League is exceptional, his remarkable consistency has put him amongst the most productive players in England for the last three seasons. 'Bryan's belief in our project and determination to join the club confirmed that he was the perfect fit for Manchester United and the culture that we are developing. We are delighted to have secured another one of our primary targets ahead of the pre-season tour. 'The experience in the US will be the perfect opportunity for Bryan to work with Ruben and his new team-mates as we prepare for an exciting season ahead.' Mbeumo will join his new team-mates on United's pre-season US tour when the squad flies to Chicago this week. He could get his first opportunity to impress in his new colours on Sunday against West Ham. He emerged as a top target for United this summer after the club scored just 44 Premier League goals in 2024-25 - their lowest ever single-season tally in the re-branded top flight.