Champions Limerick dominate All-Star selection

Updated / Friday, 30 Oct 2026 21:25

All-Ireland SHC champions Limerick secured nine spots on this year's PwC All-Stars hurling team, matching their second biggest haul during this remarkable era.

John Kiely's side, who regained the All-Ireland title in emphatic style after a three-year gap, completely dominate the middle third of the team, monopolising the half-back line and half-forward line spots, with wing-forward Gearóid Hegarty scooping the Player of the Year award for the second time in his career.

Every player from No. 4 to 12 comes from the All-Ireland champions, with the exception of Galway midfielder Tom Monaghan.

Overall, just four counties are represented, with All-Ireland finalists Galway nabbing three spots, while the losing semi-finalists Cork and Clare have two and one respectively.

The Limerick contingent contains three first-time All-Stars, with Adam English taking a midfield berth alongside Monaghan, while half-forwards Aidan O'Connor and Cathal O'Neill are included in the team alongside Hegarty, who takes his fifth All-Star in total.

Kyle Hayes, at wing-back, claims his sixth All-Star altogether, drawing him level with Joe McKenna as the most decorated Limerick hurler in the history of the awards.

'I'm very proud' Gearóid Hegarty is the The PwC GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year 📺Watch the All-Star awards, live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player #RTEGAA #GAA #Football https://t.co/8R9jW9nf8p

— The Sunday Game (@TheSundayGame) October 30, 2026

His half-back colleagues Diarmaid Byrnes and Will O'Donoghue collect their fifth and third All-Stars respectively. Barry Nash, at corner-back, is honoured with his third All-Star, his first since 2022.

Goalkeeper Nickie Quaid scoops his fourth award, having previously won in 2020, 2022 and 2024.

A resurgent Galway took three spots on the team, their largest tally since 2018.

Young Hurler of the Year winner Jason Rabbitte - whose father Joe won All-Stars in 1993 and 2000 - is selected at right-corner forward after a stellar campaign.

Captain Darren Morrissey nails down the full-back berth, while Monaghan is at centre-field beside English.

Cork take two spots, with Hurler of the Year nominee Brian Hayes claiming his second All-Star on the trot, while Niall O'Leary takes his first at corner-back.

Eight years after his first All-Star, Peter Duggan is selected for the second time. The Clooney-Quin is named at full-forward and is the sole Clare representative on the team after an inspirational display in their agonising All-Ireland semi-final loss to Limerick.

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All-Stars Hurling 2026 (*previous winning years in brackets)

1. Nickie Quaid (Limerick - 2020, 2022, 2024)
2. Niall O'Leary (Cork)
3. Darren Morrissey (Galway)
4. Barry Nash (Limerick - 2021, 2022)
5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Limerick - 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023)
6. William O'Donoghue (Limerick - 2021, 2023)
7. Kyle Hayes (Limerick - 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024)
8. Adam English (Limerick)
9. Tom Monaghan (Galway)
10. Gearóid Hegarty (Limerick - 2020, 2021, 2022, 2024)
11. Aidan O'Connor (Limerick)
12. Cathal O'Neill (Limerick)
13. Jason Rabbitte (Galway)
14. Peter Duggan (Clare - 2018)
15. Brian Hayes (Cork - 2025)

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