Dan Goggin and Eilís Cahill take home top player honours at Energia AIL awards
Dan Goggin was named Men's Division 1A Player of the Year after a standout debut season with St. Mary's College, where he impressed in both the 12 and 8 jerseys.
In the women's game, UL Bohemian's Eilís Cahill earned the Division 1 Player of the Year title. A consistent performer all season, Cahill sealed her impact with a last-minute winning try in the final—her 19th try of the campaign.
The awards were voted on by media members who regularly cover the AIL.
Speaking at the ceremony, Gary Ryan, Managing Director of the title sponsors, said:
'On behalf of everyone at Energia, a massive congratulations to all of the Energia AIL Award winners for 2025. Your achievements both individually and collectively are a true reflection of the dedication and effort you've shown throughout the season. We're already looking ahead with excitement to the Energia AIL 2025/26 season and can't wait to see you back on the pitch.'
This year's Energia 'Possibilities' Award was presented to Lansdowne FC. After a challenging start to the season, the club rallied to win the Energia All-Ireland Bateman Cup, a victory that sparked a strong run into the Division 1A semi-finals.
Community contributions were also celebrated, with Young Munster's Cathal Quaid receiving the 2025 Community Hero Award. Quaid, who serves as U8s minis coach, assistant secretary, and a key figure in establishing a new U21s pathway, was recognised for his long-standing dedication to the club.
The Community Hero Award, nominated by club members and league supporters, honours volunteers who have gone above and beyond in supporting their clubs both on and off the pitch.
Reflecting on the awards, IRFU President Declan Madden stated:
'The 2024/25 season was a memorable one at club level, coming, as it did, for the IRFU's 150th anniversary. Club rugby plays a hugely important role in the fabric of rugby in Ireland and on behalf of the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU), I would like to congratulate the winners across all the divisions of the Energia All Ireland League for their efforts over the course of the season.
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"I would also like to thank Energia for their unwavering support of Irish rugby at all levels. Their commitment continues to play a vital role in raising the profile of the Club game right across the island of Ireland'.
Energia AIL Player Awards
Women's Division 1 Player of the Year 2024/25: Eilís Cahill, UL Bohemian
Men's Division 1A Player of the Year 2024/25: Dan Goggin, St Mary's College
Men's Division 1B Player of the Year 2024/25: Kevin O'Flaherty, Nenagh Ormond
Men's Division 2A Player of the Year 2024/25: Bevan Prinsloo, Instonians
Men's Division 2B Player of the Year 2024/25: Jamie Kavanagh, Wanderers
Men's Division 2C Player of the Year 2024/25: JB Du Toit, Midleton
Energia AIL Coach of the Year Awards
Men's Division Coach of the Year 2024/25: Quenton O'Neale, Old Belvedere
Women's Division Coach of the Year 2024/25: Jason Moreton, Wicklow
Energia AIL Community Hero Award
Cathal Quaid, Young Munster
Energia AIL Referee of the Season
Dan Carson
Energia AIL Possibilities Award
Lansdowne FC
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He helped to harness their multiphase, high-tempo game during what the players dubbed 'Stuesdays' as their production line of internationals went into overdrive. Leinster also reached four Champions Cup finals, winning the 2018 decider against Racing, and won four Pro14 titles in a row. This made him highly coveted but the move to Racing 92 never felt right, not least because he spoke little or no French and the Top 14 is a relatively cut-throat place for imported coaches. Even Michael Cheika, in between guiding Leinster and the Waratahs to breakthrough Champions Cup and Super Rugby successes, was the victim of a very French coup after just two seasons with Stade Francais in 2012. But Cheika lasted longer than the short-lived tenures of Rory Teague at Bordeaux Bègles, Mike Ford at Toulon and Richard Cockerill at Montpellier, when fired just seven games into last season's campaign after six straight defeats. Having finished fifth and reached the French championship semi-finals in the 2022/23 season, under Lancaster they finished sixth and lost 31-17 away to Bordeaux Bègles in 'le barrage' last season. But, in early February, the club and Lancaster parted ways with Racing 12th and outside both the playoffs and Champions Cup qualification. But this means Connacht have hired a hungry coach determined to prove himself again and who has an innate understanding of the Irish set-up as well as a genuine fondness for it. A couple of weeks ago, Lancaster revealed on Off The Ball that he and his wife Nina had been to Galway in mid-April to watch a Racing team featuring their son Dan beat Connacht 43-40, prompting them to think, as he put it: 'Oh God, we miss Ireland.' Unhesitatingly, Lancaster also admitted he would be interested in returning – 'I wouldn't rule out coming back at all' – and reflected on his seven seasons with Leinster as 'the best time of my career'. As in life, some coaches are just a better fit in some countries than others. Connacht will hope that one day Lancaster will reflect just as fondly on his time with them.
