Limerick’s return to the summit of hurling has been reflected in a commanding presence among the 2026 PwC Hurling All-Star nominations, with the All-Ireland champions securing 13 places on the 45-player shortlist announced today.

After a two-year absence from the top step, Limerick reclaimed the Liam MacCarthy Cup in emphatic fashion and completed a remarkable season by adding the All-Ireland title to the Munster Championship and National League crowns.

Their dominance runs through every area of the field and is also reflected in the shortlist for the PwC GAA GPA Hurler of the Year.

Diarmaid Byrnes, who won the award in 2022, and 2020 winner Gearóid Hegarty have both been nominated, alongside Cork sharpshooter Brian Hayes.

There is also a strong Galway presence following a season in which the Leinster champions reached the All-Ireland final. Galway have 11 players nominated, giving the two finalists more than half of the available places between them.

Cork have seven nominations, Clare six and Dublin three. Waterford and Offaly each have two players included, while midfielder Cian Kenny is Kilkenny’s sole representative.

Eight counties in total are represented.

The PwC GAA GPA Young Hurler of the Year shortlist captures three of the breakthrough performances of the 2026 season.

Cork’s William Buckley is joined by Galway duo Jason Rabbitte and Cillian Trayers.

The players themselves will decide both the Hurler of the Year and Young Hurler of the Year awards.

GAA President Jarlath Burns said the nominations recognised the standards reached by the leading performers across the Championship.

“To be nominated for a PwC All-Star is recognition of the exceptional standards that players have reached in their pursuit of excellence,” he said.

“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.”

GPA CEO Tom Parsons pointed to both Limerick’s renewed dominance and Galway’s emergence as a major force in 2026.

“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,” he said.

“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.”

PwC Celebrates Hurling Excellence

The All-Stars remain one of the most established recognition programmes in Irish sport, dating back to 1971 and continuing to provide PwC with a high-profile association with excellence across Gaelic Games.

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.”

A panel of Gaelic Games correspondents from print, radio, television and digital media, chaired by GAA President Jarlath Burns, selected the nominations.

The 2026 PwC All-Stars will be presented at a black-tie gala at the RDS in Dublin on Friday, October 30th, with the ceremony broadcast live on RTÉ.

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)
Pádraic Mannion (Galway)
Daithí Burke (Galway)
Cillian Trayers (Galway)
Ronan Glennon (Galway)
Seán 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 (Patrickswell, Limerick)
Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s, Cork)
Gearóid Hegarty (St Patrick’s, Limerick)

PwC GAA GPA Young Hurler of the Year Nominees

William Buckley (St Finbarr’s, Cork)
Jason Rabbitte (St Mary’s, Athenry, Galway)
Cillian Trayers (Turloughmore, Galway)

 

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Image Credit: PwC

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