Eight counties claimed places on the 2026 All-Star football selection led by All-Ireland champions Mayo with six players, while the GAA also honoured the top performers across the Tailteann Cup and hurling championships at Croke Park and the RDS.
The build-up to Dublin’s RDS and Croke Park events brought together the standout performers of the Gaelic athletic calendar. Eight different counties secured representation in the 2026 All Stars Team announced ahead of Friday night’s joint ceremony.
Mayo Dominates Football Selection With Six Players
All-Ireland champions Mayo dominate the team with half a dozen awards following their championship success. Darragh Beirne, Jack Carney, and Kobe McDonald earned inclusion for the first time. Kobe McDonald has become the youngest-ever player to receive a Football All-Star. Sam Callinan, Enda Hession, and Ryan O’Donoghue complete the list of recipients from the Sam Maguire winners.
County Breakdown Across the All-Star XV
Beyond the champions, Kerry secured three positions in the selection, including David Clifford. Westmeath, Louth, Armagh, Tyrone, and Monaghan each picked up one representative to round out the eight participating counties. The PwC awards are presented at the ceremony in Dublin’s RDS on Friday night, where the PwC Hurling All-Stars are announced live alongside the Players of the Year.
Wicklow and Laois Stars Win Player of the Year Awards
Wicklow captain Dean Healy collected the Tailteann Cup Football Player of the Year award following a strong campaign in midfield. In the hurling ranks, Stephen Maher of Laois took the Joe McDonagh Cup honour, Cormac O’Doherty of Derry claimed the Christy Ring Cup title, Andrew Kilcullen of Sligo secured the Nicky Rackard Cup, and Longford’s Reuben Murray earned the Lory Meagher Cup recognition. The glamorous bash paid tribute to the overall Players of the Year in the Tailteann Cup football championships and for the Joe McDonagh, Christy Ring, Nicky Rackard and Lory Meagher Cups in Hurling.
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.
Jarlath Burns, Uachtarán CLG
Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns highlighted the dedication of the honored athletes during the Croke Park event. Each of them has been central to what their country achieved this year, adding that the ceremony provides a deserved platform for hurlers and footballers who promote the games through exceptional performances.