Hegarty and O'Donoghue win Player of the Year awards

Gearóid Hegarty and Ryan O'Donoghue claim Player of the Year awards

Updated / Friday, 30 Oct 2026 21:24

Mayo's Ryan O'Donoghue was selected as the 2026 Footballer of the Year, while Limerick's Gearóid Hegarty was crowned Hurler of the Year for the second time at the PwC All-Star awards in the RDS tonight.

O'Donoghue, who was awarded Man of the Match for his display in the All-Ireland final, saw off competition from his fellow nominees, three-time Footballer of the Year David Clifford and Mayo team-mate Jack Carney.

O'Donoghue is the third Mayo player to the win the Footballer of the Year after Lee Keegan in 2016 and Andy Moran in 2017.

'It still hasn't sunk in' Ryan O'Donoghue is the The PwC GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year 📺Watch the All-Star awards, live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player #RTEGAA #GAA #Football https://t.co/cNJegAWxy3

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

Meanwhile, Limerick half-forward Hegarty has become only the third multiple winner of the GAA/GPA Hurler of the Year award, earning the nod ahead of his team-mate Diarmaid Byrnes and two-time nominee Brian Hayes.

The 32-year old wing-forward joins Kilkenny's Henry Shefflin (2002, 2006, 2012) and his Limerick team-mate Cian Lynch (2018, 2021) as the only three players to have won the award more than once since it was launched in 1995.

Brian Corcoran, DJ Carey and Brian Whelehan were also multiple winners if one includes the pre-existing Texaco Hurler of the Year awards, which ran from 1958 until 2012.

'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

Hegarty, who collected his fifth All-Star on the night, enjoyed a stellar campaign, in which he delivered exceptional performances in the hard-fought wins over Cork and Clare in the Munster final and All-Ireland semi-final respectively.

He previously won the Hurler of the Year award in 2020.

Galway forward Jason Rabbitte was rewarded for his outstanding contribution as Galway reached an All-Ireland final somewhat under the radar by claiming the Young Hurler of the Year accolade.

'It's very enjoyable, Micheál Donoghue gives us confidence' Jason Rabbitte is the The PwC GAA/GPA Young Hurler of the Year 📺Watch the All-Star awards, live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player #RTEGAA #GAA #Football https://t.co/rqBQrjnRQ1

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

The Athenry man, whose father Joe won All-Stars in 1993 and 2000, showcased his outstanding work-rate and direct running as the Tribes annexed Leinster, before truly announcing himself on the national stage by terrorising the Cork defence in the All-Ireland semi-final victory over the Rebels.

He saw off competition from team-mate Cillian Trayers and Cork's William Buckley to become the first Galway recipient of the award since Conor Whelan in 2017.

Darragh Beirne ensured it was a Mayo double by taking the Young Footballer of the Year award.

'It was all down to Andy, giving us that freedom to express ourselves' Darragh Beirne is the The PwC GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year 📺Watch the All-Star awards, live on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player #RTEGAA #GAA #Football https://t.co/1iUOQU6eqJ

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

The Claremorris teenager grew in stature the further Mayo went in the championship.

His seven-point haul against Cork in the quarter-final was followed by goals in both the semi-final and final wins over Louth and Kerry respectively.

Beirne was up against Mayo team-mate Kobe McDonald and Louth's Dara McDonnell for the award.

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