Mayo’s historic All-Ireland success has been rewarded with a remarkable haul of nominations as the 2026 PwC GAA All-Star shortlist was announced. The Sam Maguire champions have 11 players in contention, including nominees across every position, underlining the strength of Andy Moran’s winning team.
Mayo defeated Kerry in a memorable All-Ireland final earlier this summer and now face another night of recognition. Kerry, the beaten finalists, are next on the list with seven nominations, while 12 counties feature overall in this year’s selection.
Mayo dominate the 2026 GAA All-Star nominations
Jack Livingstone, Sam Callinan, Jack Coyne, Enda Hession, David McBrien, Donnacha McHugh, Jack Carney, Darragh Beirne, Ryan O’Donoghue, Kobe McDonald and Jordan Flynn make up Mayo’s representation.
The spread of nominations is particularly notable. Mayo have contenders in goal, defence, midfield and attack, reflecting a balanced campaign rather than reliance on one outstanding unit.
Dublin have five nominees, with Leinster champions Westmeath close behind on four. Monaghan, Armagh and Louth each have three, while Roscommon, Cork, Galway and Tyrone have two apiece. Donegal complete the county list with one nomination.
Footballer of the Year race features two Mayo stars
The PwC GAA GPA Footballer of the Year award will be contested by Kerry’s David Clifford and Mayo duo Ryan O’Donoghue and Jack Carney.
Clifford remains one of the defining figures in Gaelic football, but Mayo’s All-Ireland-winning campaign gives O’Donoghue and Carney a strong platform. Their inclusion ensures the individual award will carry an added edge after the counties met in the championship decider.
Young Footballer of the Year shortlist
Mayo also have two players nominated for Young Footballer of the Year. Darragh Beirne and Kobe McDonald will compete with Louth’s Dara McDonnell.
Beirne, from Claremorris, and McDonald, of Crossmolina Deel Rovers, have both made a significant impression during Mayo’s title run. McDonnell provides Louth with representation in one of the evening’s most closely watched categories.
Full PwC All-Star football nominations
Goalkeepers
- Rory Beggan – Monaghan
- Jack Livingstone – Mayo
- Shane Murphy – Kerry
Defenders
- Sam Callinan, Jack Coyne, Enda Hession, David McBrien and Donnacha McHugh – Mayo
- Jason Foley and Michael Breen – Kerry
- Jarlath Óg Burns and Tiernan Kelly – Armagh
- Dara McDonnell and Craig Lennon – Louth
- Ronan Wallace and Matthew Whittaker – Westmeath
- David Byrne and Charlie McMorrow – Dublin
- Tommy Walsh – Cork
- Niall Devlin – Tyrone
- Dylan Byrne – Monaghan
Midfielders
- Jack Carney – Mayo
- Mark O’Shea – Kerry
- Conn Kilpatrick – Tyrone
- John Maher – Galway
- Ciarán Kilkenny – Dublin
- Michael Langan – Donegal
Forwards
- Darragh Beirne, Ryan O’Donoghue, Kobe McDonald and Jordan Flynn – Mayo
- David Clifford, Paudie Clifford and Dylan Geaney – Kerry
- Niall Scully and Con O’Callaghan – Dublin
- Darragh Heneghan and Diarmuid Murtagh – Roscommon
- Sam McCartan and Brandon Kelly – Westmeath
- Steven Sherlock – Cork
- Stephen O’Hanlon – Monaghan
- Ciarán Downey – Louth
- OisÃn Conaty – Armagh
- Robert Finnerty – Galway
When is the 2026 All-Star banquet?
The 2026 PwC All-Star banquet will be held at the RDS on Friday, October 30. The winners of the football awards, along with the hurling All-Star team, will be announced during the ceremony.
For Mayo supporters, the event offers the chance to celebrate a historic championship season. For Kerry, Dublin, Westmeath and the other nominated counties, it is an opportunity to see their leading performers recognised on one of the biggest nights in Irish sport.
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What happens next?
The shortlist now sets up a major night for Mayo, with 11 players hoping to turn championship success into All-Star honours. The individual awards will be just as intriguing, particularly the contest between Clifford, O’Donoghue and Carney.
The key date is October 30, when the final teams and award winners will be confirmed at the RDS. Until then, the debate over the best performers of the 2026 Gaelic football season is certain to continue across county GAA.
Article/Image Courtesy: Balls.ie
