Treaty’s Lucky 13 top PwC Hurling All-Stars nominations
Limerick players Gearóid Hegarty, left, and Diarmaid Byrnes celebrate after their side's victory in the GAA Hurling All-Ireland Senior Championship Final match between Galway and Limerick at Croke Park in Dublin. Photo by Seb Daly/Sportsfile.
In a year that saw Limerick forcefully reassert their dominance on the hurling landscape, the 2026 nominations for the PwC hurling all-stars reflect that superiority.
Liam MacCarthy Cup champions after a two-year absence with the Munster and League crowns also on the sideboard, Limerick have 13 positions in the list of 45 PwC All-Star nominations announced today.
In addition, their 2022 PwC GAA GPA Hurler of the Year Diarmaid Byrnes is shortlisted for the overall award – so too, teammate and 2020 Hurler of the Year, Gearóid Hegarty. They are joined by Cork sharpshooter Brian Hayes.
The Young Hurler of the Year award will also be chosen by the players themselves, and the shortlist features breakout stars from this summer: William Buckley (Cork), Jason Rabbitte (Galway) and Cillian Trayers (Galway).
Leinster champions and All-Ireland finalists Galway have a strong representation with 11 players included. There are eight counties featured, with Cork seven, Clare six, Dublin three and two each for Waterford and Offaly, and midfielder Cian Kenny the sole Kilkenny representative.
Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “To be nominated for a PwC All-Star is recognition of the exceptional standards that players have reached in their pursuit of excellence. Each of those selected made a lasting impression on the hurling season and this is especially true of our Hurler of the Year contenders Diarmaid, Brian and Gearóid, and our Young Hurlers William, Jason and Cillian. I know how much it will mean to your families and clubs, and I thank the GPA and PwC for their assistance in maintaining the great institution that is the All-Stars.”
Tom Parsons, CEO of the GPA, added: “With Limerick rising to power once again after a fantastic year and winning all before them, it’s no surprise to see them receiving the most nominations this year. Galway also emerged as a new challenger, with some excellent individual performances recognised. Congratulations to all nominees and a particular congratulations to Diarmaid, Brian and Gearóid who have been nominated for the PwC Hurler of the Year and William, Jason and Cillian who have been nominated for PwC Young Hurler of the Year.”
Enda McDonagh, Managing Partner, PwC Ireland, said: "The PwC All-Stars Hurling Awards recognise the players who have performed at the highest level and inspired supporters throughout the championship season. The standard of hurling on display this year has been exceptional, and today's nominees have demonstrated the skill, dedication and leadership that define excellence in our national game. On behalf of everyone at PwC, I congratulate all of those nominated on this well-deserved recognition and look forward to celebrating their achievements at this year's PwC All-Stars Awards.”
The All-Stars were first held in 1971. This year’s awards will be presented at a gala black-tie function held at Dublin’s RDS and shown live on RTÉ on Friday, October 30. The nominations were chosen by a panel of Gaelic games correspondents from across print, radio, tv and digital media, chaired by Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns.
PwC All-Stars Hurling Nominations 2026
Goalkeepers
Billy Nolan (Waterford)
Nickie Quaid (Limerick)
Éibhear Quilligan (Clare)
Defenders
Seán Finn (Limerick)
William O’Donoghue (Limerick)
Barry Nash (Limerick)
Diarmaid Byrnes (Limerick)
Kyle Hayes (Limerick)
Darren Morrissey (Galway)
Padraic Mannion (Galway)
Daithí Burke (Galway)
Cillian Trayers (Galway)
Ronan Glennon (Galway)
Sean O’Donoghue (Cork)
Niall O’Leary (Cork)
Mark Coleman (Cork)
Rob Downey (Cork)
Niall O’Farrell (Clare)
Diarmuid Ryan (Clare)
Ben Conneely (Offaly)
Paddy Smyth (Dublin)
Midfielders
Cian Lynch (Limerick)
Adam English (Limerick)
Cathal Mannion (Galway)
Tony Kelly (Clare)
Brian Hayes (Dublin)
Cian Kenny (Kilkenny)
Forwards
Cathal O’Neill (Limerick)
Aidan O’Connor (Limerick)
Peter Casey (Limerick)
Gearóid Hegarty (Limerick)
Shane O’Brien (Limerick)
Jason Rabbitte (Galway)
Tom Monaghan (Galway)
Darragh Neary (Galway)
Conor Whelan (Galway)
Aaron Niland (Galway)
Shane Barrett (Cork)
William Buckley (Cork)
Brian Hayes (Cork)
Peter Duggan (Clare)
Seán Rynne (Clare)
Dónal Burke (Dublin)
Eoghan Cahill (Offaly)
Stephen Bennett (Waterford)
PwC GAA GPA Hurler of the Year Nominees
Diarmaid Byrnes (Limerick)
Brian Hayes (Cork)
Gearóid Hegarty (Limerick)
PwC GAA GPA Young Hurler of the Year Nominees
William Buckley (Cork)
Jason Rabbitte (Galway)
Cillian Trayers (Galway)
