PwC celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the All-Stars

• 2021 is the 50^th anniversary of Ireland’s most prestigious sports awards, which were first presented in 1971
• Henry Shefflin and Pat Spillane, the most decorated hurling and football All-Stars respectively, Tadhg de Búrca and Paul Mannion were on hand to mark the anniversary at Croke Park

All-Stars past and present were at Croke Park this afternoon to mark the launch of the 50^th anniversary of the All-Stars which were first awarded in 1971 and proudly sponsored by PwC since 2017.

Across that unbroken half century some of the greatest names in Gaelic Games have been honoured by being selected on an All-Stars team. Four of them were on hand today to kick-start the anniversary celebrations.

Henry Shefflin, the Kilkenny legend with eleven All-Stars, and Kerry hero Pat Spillane, a nine-time winner, are the two most successful All-Stars of all-time in hurling and football respectively, and they were present to mark the occasion.

Waterford hurler Tadhg de Búrca, two time winner and current PwC All-Star having been selected on the team for his performances as the Deisé made the 2020 All-Ireland final, and Dublin’s Paul Mannion, a three-time All-Star, joined them at Croke Park.

This is just the first of a number of special events that will mark the 50^th anniversary of the All-Stars, before the 2021 PwC All-Stars in hurling and football themselves are announced later this year.

Over the last five decades the All-Stars have grown into one of the most prestigious fixtures on the Irish sporting calendar and an awards scheme that carries enormous respect and honour. One of the strengths of the PwC All-Stars is that it honours the best individual performers in each position and not just the players from the strongest counties.

Commenting on the 50^th Anniversary launch, Feargal O’Rourke, Managing Partner, PwC, said: “We at PwC are proud sponsors of the PwC All-Stars, which is Ireland’s most prestigious sporting awards. Over the years so many legends of hurling and football have been honoured with an All-Star and it’s always clear to see how much it means to them. All-Stars are not only outstanding individual players, but also integral parts of the teams they play on and values such as determination and teamwork, are also held closely at PwC.  We look forward to marking this special anniversary with a number of other events over the course of the year, leading up to the announcement of the 2021 PwC All-Stars.”

Uachtarán Chumann Luthcleas Gael, Larry McCarthy said; “Since its inception in 1971 the All-Stars have been a by-word for excellence in Gaelic games. Hurling and football are the ultimate team sports, but over the last 50 years it has allowed us to recognise inspirational individuals who have stood out as special in a given year.

“We are delighted to mark the 50^th anniversary of the All-Stars in conjunction with the GPA and PwC, and look forward to honouring the heroes of 2021, as well as future heroes, and salute the impact these players have on our games.”

Commenting on the 50th Anniversary launch, Ciarán Barr, Interim CEO of the GPA, said: “Our games are team sports, but it is also right to recognise and reward individual excellence. I know from my own personal experience that the All-Stars have been the pinnacle of individual achievement in our games for half a century and it is fitting to mark this milestone and remember the players who have been honoured down through the years.  

“The winners know that they could not have achieved anything without the support of their families, clubs and coaches. They all share in the excitement of that moment when the winning names are announced.  We salute and congratulate our members who are past All-Stars and present PwC All-Stars. They are rightly held up as leaders and role models in the GAA and in the wider community.”