The 2026 PwC GAA/GPA Football All-Stars celebrated a remarkable championship season, but every selection also creates debate. With eight counties represented and major names such as Ryan O’Donoghue, David Clifford and Kobe McDonald included, several outstanding performers were left wondering what more they could have done.
The final team was packed with quality, making the competition for places especially fierce. Here are five players who produced memorable campaigns and were unfortunate to miss out on individual recognition.
Five unlucky omissions from the 2026 GAA All-Stars
Paudie Clifford – Kerry
Paudie Clifford remains one of the most influential footballers in the country, so his absence from an All-Star team always attracts attention. The Fossa clubman finished Kerry’s championship strongly and delivered an impressive performance in the All-Ireland final, even as some of his team-mates struggled to reach their best level.
Earlier injuries may have worked against him when the selectors weighed up the full season. Competition in the forward line was also unusually intense, with a number of players producing outstanding campaigns. Clifford’s late-season form ensured that his omission was still one of the most debated talking points in the latest GAA news.
Matthew Whittaker – Westmeath
Westmeath enjoyed a historic Leinster title-winning campaign, and Matthew Whittaker was central to that success. The Tubberclair player was widely viewed as a serious contender for a wing-back position, where he was competing directly with county colleague Ronan Wallace.
The selectors ultimately chose Wallace, but Whittaker’s case was compelling. The 22-year-old performed consistently throughout the provincial championship and did so while managing a troublesome ankle injury. His commitment and performances made him one of the most unfortunate defenders to miss out.
Jordan Flynn – Mayo
Jordan Flynn’s 2026 season represented a powerful personal revival. Having reportedly considered stepping away from inter-county football in recent seasons, he returned to prominence as Mayo reached All-Ireland glory.
Flynn was particularly influential during the closing stages of the Sam Maguire campaign. His displays in the semi-final and final showed his importance to Mayo’s run, and an All-Star award would have provided a fitting conclusion. He can at least celebrate seeing his brother Kobe McDonald named in the final XV.
David McBrien – Mayo
Among Mayo’s non-selected players, David McBrien arguably had the strongest claim. He was a dependable presence in the half-back line throughout the campaign and produced another notable performance in the All-Ireland final.
One of his most important contributions came in the second half, when a turnover created the opportunity for Darragh Beirne’s goal. McBrien’s defensive work, reading of the game and ability to launch attacks made him a genuine contender for either centre-back or wing-back.
Diarmuid Murtagh – Roscommon
Roscommon were the only one of the four provincial champions without a player selected for the final team, and Diarmuid Murtagh had the strongest argument for representation.
The St Faithleach’s forward enjoyed a spectacular championship, scoring 1-31 across the summer. His standout display came in the Connacht final against Galway, where he captained Roscommon and scored seven points in a victory that secured their first provincial title since 2019.
That level of production, combined with his leadership, made Murtagh’s omission particularly difficult for Roscommon supporters to accept.
Why the All-Star debate remains so competitive
The latest GAA All-Stars underline the depth of talent across county football. Strong campaigns from Kerry, Mayo, Westmeath and Roscommon created an enormous selection challenge, while the final team could only accommodate 15 players.
- Late-season form can strongly influence individual awards.
- Injuries and availability may affect how a full campaign is judged.
- Players competing for the same position face especially narrow margins.
- Provincial success does not guarantee individual recognition.
For supporters following county GAA, the discussion is part of what makes the All-Stars so compelling. The awards recognise excellence, but they also invite difficult questions about the players just outside the final team.
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Article/Image Courtesy: Balls.ie
The 2026 All-Stars may be decided, but the debate over the final places will continue. Attention now turns to how these overlooked performers respond in the next county season—and whether they can turn near-misses into All-Star selections in the future.