Ryan O’Donoghue named Footballer of the Year as Gearóid Hegarty claims hurling award

Limerick dominate the 2026 GAA/GPA Hurling All Stars just as they bestrode the season. The All-Ireland, Munster and National League champions have picked up nine awards, including Hurler of the Year for Gearóid Hegarty. The Footballer of the Year award, which was also announced at the ceremony in the RDS on Friday, went to Mayo’s Ryan O’Donoghue.

It was Hegarty’s second time to win Hurler of the Year, six years after his first award, and he had been the clear favourite since midsummer. The football award, though, must have been a close call between O’Donoghue and David Clifford, whose scoring this season scaled new heights.