Limerick lead the way in hurling All-Star nominations

THIRTWEEN Limerick players have been shortlisted in the nominations for the PwC hurling all-stars reflect that superiority.

In addition, their 2022 PwC GAA GPA Hurler of the Year Diarmaid Byrnes is shortlisted for the overall award – so too, teammate and 2020 Hurler of the Year, Gearóid Hegarty. They are joined by Cork sharpshooter Brian Hayes.

The Young Hurler of the Year award will also be chosen by the players themselves, and the shortlist features breakout stars from this summer: William Buckley (Cork), Jason Rabbitte (Galway) and Cillian Trayers (Galway).

Leinster champions and All-Ireland finalists Galway have a strong representation with 11 players included. There are eight counties featured, with Cork seven, Clare six, Dublin three and two each for Waterford and Offaly, and midfielder Cian Kenny the sole Kilkenny representative.

The All-Stars were first held in 1971. This year’s awards will be presented at a gala black-tie function held at Dublin’s RDS and shown live on RTÉ on Friday, October 30.  The nominations were chosen by a panel of Gaelic games correspondents from across print, radio, tv and digital media, chaired by Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns.

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)