Forde and O hAilpin take prizes

The GPA Players of the Year are Cork hurler Seán Óg Ó hAilpín and Wexford footballer Mattie Forde. The announcement was made last night at the players' association's gala night in Dublin's CityWest hotel.

Ó hAilpín had an excellent year at left-wing back as Cork regained the All-Ireland title and gave a crucial display in the final blotting out the threat of Kilkenny's Henry Shefflin.

Forde's scoring exploits in the spring brought the county to the verge of the NFL play-offs and his great form continued during the summer. Wexford reached the Leinster semi-final and Forde was the championship's top scorer with 3-38. The winners each received a SEAT car.