Players of the Year announced in Tailteann, McDonagh, Ring, Rackard and Meagher Cups

Croke Park has tonight crowned the overall Players of the Year in the Tailteann Cup football championship and from the Joe McDonagh, Christy Ring, Nickey Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups in hurling.

Wicklow’s totemic captain Dean Healy, an inspirational presence in their first ever Tailteann Cup triumph last summer, is its Player of the Year. The 34-year-old barnstorming midfielder proved a hugely popular choice after a campaign that capped a career that has seen the St Patrick’s clubman play for the Garden County since 2011.

Another veteran stalwart has been selected when it came to crowning the Joe McDonagh Hurler of the Year, with Stephen ‘Picky’ Maher of Laois scooping the award. A player who made his debut in 2012, the Clough-Ballacolla sharpshooter has battled back from a series of serious injuries including ACL damage. He was the driving force behind the O’Moore men as they erased the pain of defeats in the previous two finals to beat Carlow in the 2026 decider, with Maher bagging 0-9 in the final.

Sleacht Néill dual-star Cormac O’Doherty is the Christy Ring Cup Hurler of the Year. The Derry dynamo has been an Oak Leaf senior since 2017 and this season he picked up his fourth award on the GAA/GPA Champion 15 team of the year. Named at midfield on the Champion 15 team of 2026, in recent weeks the Derry captain was crucial in helping his club win a 14^th consecutive county title.

Despite not reaching the Nickey Rackard Cup final, Sligo’s Andrew Kilcullen is the choice for its Hurler of the Year award. A Nickey Rackard Cup winner in 2019, he is now a two-time Champion 15 award winner after also being selected in 2022. His Hurler of the Year award is an honour in recognition of the remarkable run of form that also saw him score 1-8 to inspire Sligo to win the Division 4 league crown last March. A prolific finisher, he carried that form into the Championship.

Cometh the hour, cometh Reuben Murray for Longford as the captain was the all-important goalscorer to inspire them to the Lory Meagher Cup triumph over Leitrim last summer. A county hurler since 2014, when Longford last won the Meagher title, he scored 1-3 in the Cup final at Croke Park, in his 111^th competitive appearance for his county and to cap a hugely influential season that included league promotion.

Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “I want to pay tribute to our players of the year who are honoured at this special event. The personal stories, the class and strength of character behind Dean, Stephen, Cormac, Andrew and Reuben serve as a reminder of just how inspirational our players are. Each of them has been central to what their county’s achieved this year, and they are a credit to their clubs and families.

“This is a really important night where we rightfully give the spotlight and the Croke Park stage to hurlers and footballers who richly deserve it. It is part of our recognition and appreciation of everything these players in the Tailteann, McDonagh, Ring, Rackard and Meagher Cups do for the promotion of our games through their exceptional performances. Comhghairdeas libh go leir.”

Tom Parsons, CEO of the GPA, added: “Congratulations to Dean, Stephen, Cormac, Andrew and Reuben on being named Player of the Year in their respective competitions at the Champion 15 Awards night this evening.

“To be singled out as the top player in your championship is a special honour, and it’s one you should all be very proud of. Your performances stood out in 2026, and this award is richly deserved. Nobody sets out at the start of the season chasing individual awards, but it’s a lovely way to recognise the year each of you has had. Well done to all five of you.”

These Players of the Year were chosen by an independent panel of Gaelic games correspondents with nominations included from GPA player representatives. The awards were presented at a gala black-tie function held in Croke Park and screened on the GAA’s Youtube Channel.

GAA/GPA Champion 15 Players of the Year

Tailteann Cup: Dean Healy (St Patrick’s, Wicklow)

Joe McDonagh Cup: Stephen Maher (Clough-Ballacolla, Laois)

Christy Ring Cup: Cormac O’Doherty (Roibeard Éiméid, Sleacht Néill, Derry)

Nickey Rackard Cup: Andrew Kilcullen (Easkey/St Farnan’s, Sligo)

Lory Meagher Cup: Reuben Murray (Longford Slashers, Longford)

For further info, please contact: communications@gaa.ie