Kilkenny hurler Jonjo Farrell and Dublin footballer Diarmuid Connolly are the inaugural winners of the Pearse Medal for 2016.

The duo were selected as the outstanding performers in the 2016 Leinster GAA senior hurling and football championships.

Leinster Chairman John Horan presented Jonjo and Diarmuid with a specially commissioned Padraig Pearse medal in recognition of their achievement which is part of the province's activity to mark the centenary of the Rising - and also symbolises the link between Comhairle Laighean and Pearse.

Jonjo Farrell was a scoring revelation for Kilkenny in the Leinster hurling championship, scoring 2-9 from play over the course of their victories over Dublin and Galway as the Cats secured a third straight Bob O'Keeffe Cup.

Diarmuid Connolly had another stellar season for the Dublin footballers and was man of the match for them in their wins over Laois and Meath and helped them overcome Westmeath in the Leinster final for what was a record equalling sixth Delaney Cup in a row.

John Horan said: "Padraig Pearse was passionate about incorporating Gaelic Games into the curriculum that was taught in his school in St Endas.

"He was also Vice President of the Leinster Council Colleges' Committee.

"We wanted to honour our proud link to Pearse and this player of the year award does that and both Jonjo and Diarmuid are two very worthy inaugural winners after their stunning exploits of last summer."

The winners were chosen from a short list of top performers in Leinster GAA last summer and deliberations were carried out by a panel comprised of national media and Leinster GAA officials.

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