GAA Betting: Who Is Favourite To Win Hurler Of The Year?

As the 2025 Hurling Championship draws near, all eyes turn to the race for the Liam MacCarthy Cup and the coveted Hurler of the Year (HOTY) award - presented annually to the season's standout performer.

Last year, Clare’s Shane O’Donnell claimed the honour, ending Limerick’s four-year stranglehold on the award.

With Cork and Limerick expected to lead the All-Ireland charge again this summer, it’s no surprise that players from these counties dominate the early Hurler of the Year odds with betting sites.

Fitzgibbon And Horgan Head The Market

After Cork’s impressive League victory, it’s no surprise to see Darragh Fitzgibbon and Patrick Horgan battling it out for favouritism with betting apps at 6/1 apiece for the 2025 Hurler of the Year award.

Fitzgibbon has been instrumental in Cork's recent successes and has taken his game to a new level, driving on Cork’s attack from the middle of the field.

His performances have earned him multiple All-Star nominations, and he looks poised to make a significant impact this season.

Patrick Horgan needs no introduction as he goes from strength to strength. 

His hurling years are numbered, and he would relish an All-Ireland medal more than anyone else, having come up short on so many occasions.

He recently became the all-time top scorer in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship with a tally of 716 points as of July 2024. 

Despite his age, he still plays a major role for Cork, and if they are to finally win their first All-Ireland title since 2005, he is sure to have a big say in the proceedings.

Limerick Duo Fancied

Limerick's Aaron Gillane and Cian Lynch, both previous recipients of the Hurler of the Year award are once again strong candidates in 2025. 

The pressure is somewhat off the Shannon siders this year after Cork ended their bid for five consecutive titles in last year's semi-final. 

It’s the first time in six years that Limerick will not go into the Championship as outright favourites.

Lynch is the shortest-priced player not from Rebel County at 10/1, but he is a two-time winner of the award and knows what it takes.

Although he is not the biggest scorer, his work off the ball and link-up play does not go unnoticed.

Gillane clinched the award in 2023, completing a hat-trick of HOTY awards for his club, Patrickswell, following in the footsteps of his teammates Lynch and Byrnes.

He is nailed on to be Limerick's top scorer again this season, and odds of 20/1 with GAA betting sites represent great value. 

He has all the credentials to help Limerick bounce back and win another All-Ireland title.

Reid And Kelly Can't Be Discounted

Clare's Tony Kelly (25/1) and Kilkenny's TJ Reid (20/1) are also prominent figures in the Hurler of the Year discussions. 

Kilkenny are suffering one of their biggest All-Ireland droughts in history.

They have failed to win the title since 2015, which by their standards is an eternity.

Reid has been a key player in Kilkenny’s success in recent years.

With Leinster being the easier province to qualify from, they looked nailed on for a semi-final spot, at least, with Reid sure to play a big part again.

Tony Kelly won the prize in 2013 when Clare landed their first All-Ireland since 1995, and he has been a standout player for the Banner County since then.

Kelly was quiet in the Munster Championship last year, but once again showed his class in the final with an incredible solo goal which helped him earn the man of the match award.

Both players are not getting any younger, but they will have a huge role to play for their county if they go all the way in the 2025 All-Ireland Championship.