PwC Hurling All-Stars and Players of the Year named

A marvellous season for the Limerick hurlers and Mayo footballers has successfully spilled over to the PwC All-Stars where the All-Ireland champions are the cream of the crop.

Tonight saw Gearóid Hegarty crowned PwC GAA GPA Hurler of the Year. It is the second such award for the St Patrick’s powerhouse, after previously being honoured overall in 2020. In a season that saw Limerick return to the top slot after a gap of two years, wing forward Hegarty typified that grit and determination as the Treaty got back in the groove and he claimed a fifth career All-Star.

Mayo’s Man of the Match in the All-Ireland football final, the Belmullet bullet Ryan O’Donoghue is now the PwC GAA GPA Footballer of the Year. His tenacity, tireless appetite and leadership when it mattered were central to Mayo’s unforgettable Sam Maguire success.

His teammate Darragh Beirne from Claremorris brings more glory out west as the Young Footballer of the Year. A newly minted All-Star forward, his predatory instincts were a feature of a Mayo attack that ended 75 years of wait.

Jason Rabbitte from Athenry is the Young Hurler of the Year and tops the poll after a sensational season that saw him lead the Galway attack to the All-Ireland final showdown with Limerick.

After the football team was announced yesterday, tonight was the turn of the PwC Hurling All-Stars to take centre stage where champions Limerick dominate the team with nine places on the final 15.

Galway’s Darren Morrissey and Tom Monaghan join Rabbitte for their roles in defence and midfield for the Tribesmen’s Leinster triumph and memorable take down of Cork.

The Rebels are represented by Niall O’Leary in defence and up front through the razor-sharp Brian Hayes. Clare’s rampaging Peter Duggan is the Banner’s sole representative. The team reflects the dominance of the Limerick men with seven newcomers in total, a host of Treaty titans further embellishing their status as modern day greats of the game, and three Limerick first timers looking to banish the sunset on this era.

Kyle Hayes leads the pack and is now a six-time hurling All-Star, their most decorated hurler since legendary six-time winner Joe McKenna. Diarmaid Byrnes is another to hold five awards, while Nickie Quaid’s place among the modern-day goalkeeping gods is built on four All-Stars.

Limerick’s 2026 haul is a fresh chapter in the remarkable story that began with the 2018 breakthrough triumph. Limerick won seven All-Star awards when they last won the MacCarthy Cup in 2023 which was a four in a row success. They scooped seven in 2022, an all-time record 12 in 2021 after what had been a then record-equalling nine awards in 2020. With no Limerick player selected last year the current squad are now up to 56 PwC All-Stars between them since 2018.

Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “Every year the All-Stars reminds us of how lucky we are to have such incredible ambassadors for hurling and football entertaining us and inspiring us. Since 1971 we can use these awards to trace a path back through generations of iconic players who elevated skills into art, and we are enormously grateful to PwC for helping us to maintain this tradition.

“The Class of 2026 are no different. The PwC Hurling All-Stars announced tonight reflect a season that saw Limerick power their way back to the top and prove that for all they have won, they are far from finished.

“I congratulate all of the hurlers who have been chosen and know how much this will mean to your families and clubs. I also salute our overall players of the year Gearóid and Jason in hurling and to Ryan and Darragh in football. These awards were not on your radar at the start of the season, but they are due recognition of the lasting impact you had on the GAA year.”

Tom Parsons, the GPA CEO, added: “Congratulations to the 15 players named on the 2026 PwC All-Stars Hurling Team. Selection among the very best in the country is a significant honour, and each of you has earned it through a season of exceptional performances. Limerick’s nine All-Stars are a fitting reward for an All-Ireland winning year in which they set the standard. Galway, as Leinster champions and All-Ireland finalists, are deservedly recognised with three awards, while Cork and Clare also have much to be proud of, in their contribution to this year's championship.

“Behind each of these awards are countless hours of training, sacrifice and commitment, and this recognition is thoroughly deserved. It is also an achievement to be shared with the families, friends and clubs who have supported you throughout your careers. Finally, I would like to thank PwC and the GAA for their continued partnership in these awards.”

“Our two PwC GAA GPA Player of the Year winners have enjoyed remarkable seasons, and both have been central to All-Ireland winning teams.

“Ryan has been a leader for Mayo for several seasons, and in 2026 he carried that responsibility all the way to Sam Maguire. He drove the Mayo attack through the knockout stages and produced one of his finest performances in the final itself. This award is a fitting recognition of a player who has given so much to Mayo football, and to his club, Belmullet.

“Gearóid first won this award in 2020, and to be recognised as hurling’s top player again six years later speaks to his consistency and the standards he sets. His contribution goes well beyond scoring. His work rate, ball-winning and selflessness have been central to Limerick’s success, and he set the tone for them throughout the year.

“To Ryan and Gearóid, my warmest congratulations. I also want to congratulate Darragh and Jason on their PwC GAA GPA Young Player of the Year awards. Darragh’s goal in the All-Ireland final was one of the defining moments of the championship, and Jason was a driving force for Galway throughout the season. The future of our games is in safe hands with young players of this calibre. Congratulations also to all 30 PwC All-Stars for 2026.”

Enda McDonagh, Managing Partner, PwC Ireland said: "Congratulations to each of the players selected on the 2026 PwC All-Star Hurling Team. To be recognised among the top 15 hurlers in the country is an outstanding achievement and reflects the skill, commitment and consistency each player has demonstrated throughout the season. Hurling continues to showcase the very best of Irish sport, and the standards set by these players throughout the Championship have been exceptional. It is a tremendous honour to receive a PwC All-Star, and everyone at PwC is delighted to celebrate their achievements and recognise the dedication that has brought them to this level. I would also like to congratulate Gearóid and Ryan, recipients of the PwC GAA/GPA Player of the Year awards and Jason and Darragh, winners of the PwC GAA/GPA Young Player of the Year awards for hurling and football respectively. These individual honours recognise truly outstanding seasons and are a fitting acknowledgement of the impact each player has made for their team.”

The All-Stars are chosen by a panel of Gaelic games correspondents from across print, radio, tv and digital media and chaired by Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns. The overall PwC GAA GPA Player and Young Player of the Year awards are chosen by the inter-county players themselves. The awards were presented at a special black-tie function held in Dublin’s RDS.

PwC GAA GPA Hurler of the Year, 2026 – Gearóid Hegarty (St Patrick’s, Limerick)

PwC GAA GPA Young Hurler of the Year, 2026 – Jason Rabbitte (Naomh Mhuire, Athenry, Galway)

PwC All-Stars Hurling 2026 ( previous winning years in brackets)*

1. Nickie Quaid (Limerick) (2020, 2022, 2024)
2. Niall O’Leary (Cork)
3. Darren Morrissey (Galway)
4. Barry Nash (Limerick) (2021, 2022)
5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Limerick) (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
6. William O’Donoghue (Limerick) (2021, 2023)
7. Kyle Hayes (Limerick) (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
8. Adam English (Limerick)
9. Tom Monaghan (Galway)
10. Gearóid Hegarty (Limerick) (2020, 2021, 2022, 2024)
11. Aidan O’Connor (Limerick)
12. Cathal O’Neill (Limerick)
13. Jason Rabbitte (Galway)
14. Peter Duggan (Clare) (2018)
15. Brian Hayes (Cork) (2025)

PwC GAA GPA Footballer of the Year, 2026 – Ryan O’Donoghue (Belmullet, Mayo)

PwC GAA GPA Young Foot baller of the Year, 2026 – Darragh Beirne (Claremorris, Mayo)