The biggest names in Irish sport gathered in Dublin on Friday night as the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards brought the season to a glamorous close. Alongside the presentation of the coveted awards, the RDS red carpet offered a colourful snapshot of the players, partners and personalities who helped shape another memorable year in Gaelic games.
From established county stars to standout figures from the inter-county season, the occasion combined sporting recognition with plenty of red-carpet interest. Footballers, hurlers, officials and guests arrived in a wide range of formal looks before taking their places at one of the most anticipated events on the GAA calendar.
GAA stars gather for a special night in Dublin
The annual gala is one of the landmark evenings in the Irish sporting calendar. It gives the GAA community an opportunity to celebrate individual excellence while also recognising the dedication, sacrifice and teamwork behind a long championship campaign.
This year’s arrivals included representatives from counties across the country, reflecting the broad reach of Gaelic games. Dublin, Mayo, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick, Offaly, Louth and Armagh were among the counties represented on the red carpet, with both Gaelic football and hurling prominent throughout the evening.
The event also highlighted the growing profile of women’s sport, with players and guests from across the camogie and ladies’ football community adding to the occasion. The awards night remains an important platform for celebrating the contribution of athletes across every code and county.
Players and guests make an impression
Among those photographed arriving at the RDS were Dublin’s Sinéad Wylde and Antrim’s Róisín McCormack, Mayo footballer Jordan Flynn with Jessie Brown, and referee Martin McNally alongside Máire Treasa Ní Cheallaigh.
Dublin hurler Donal Burke attended with Niamh Kelly, while Cork hurler Brian Hayes arrived with Evie Lehane. Kilkenny’s Cian Kenny and Rachel Moloney were also pictured, adding further hurling representation to a busy evening.
The football contingent included Mayo players Sam Callanan, Jack Carney and Ryan O’Donoghue, as well as Louth’s Ciaran Downey and Armagh’s Jarly Óg Burns. Their appearances reflected the depth of talent recognised after the 2026 inter-county season.
- Mayo representation: Jordan Flynn, Sam Callanan, Jack Carney and Ryan O’Donoghue featured among the arrivals.
- Hurling presence: Donal Burke, Brian Hayes, Cian Kenny, Ben Conneely and Seán Finn were all pictured.
- County spread: Players from Dublin, Cork, Kilkenny, Limerick, Offaly, Louth, Mayo and Armagh attended.
- Women’s sport: The evening included prominent figures connected with ladies’ football and camogie.
More than a red-carpet event
While the arrival photographs provided the visual talking point, the real purpose of the gala was to honour the season’s leading performers. The All-Star awards are judged as a marker of consistency and influence, making selection a significant achievement for any player.
The ceremony also creates a rare opportunity for rivals to meet away from the pressure of championship football and hurling. Players who spent the summer competing in intense provincial and All-Ireland contests can share the same room, celebrate one another’s performances and look back on the campaign with a degree of distance.
That sense of community is central to the appeal of GAA news. Supporters follow county results and championship drama throughout the year, but events such as the PwC All-Stars gala show the people and personalities behind the match-day headlines.
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What the 2026 gala says about Irish sport
The scale and variety of the guest list underlined the strength of the GAA’s national footprint. County players remain major figures in their local communities, while the awards continue to attract broad public interest beyond the traditional championship audience.
For many supporters, the red-carpet coverage is a lighter complement to the serious business of championship competition. It offers a chance to see players in a different setting and gives the wider sporting public another way to connect with the stars they have followed through the season.
With the 2026 awards now complete, attention will gradually turn towards the next inter-county cycle. New panels will emerge, established players will face fresh challenges and supporters will begin looking ahead to the fixtures that will define the coming campaign.
Frequently asked questions
Where was the 2026 PwC All-Stars gala held?
The 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards took place at the RDS in Dublin on 30 October 2026.
Which sports were represented?
The evening celebrated athletes from Gaelic football, hurling, camogie and ladies’ football, alongside officials and guests connected with the GAA.
Why are the All-Star awards important?
They recognise players whose performances and consistency stood out during the inter-county season, while also bringing the wider GAA community together.
Article/Image Courtesy: Balls.ie
The takeaway: The 2026 PwC All-Stars gala offered a fitting celebration of Irish sporting excellence, with the red carpet reflecting the talent, personality and county pride at the heart of the GAA. The next chapter begins when the new season’s fixtures bring those stars back into competitive action.