Mayo claim six 2026 All-Stars as Kerry win three and 11 players earn first award

Team selection

The 2026 PwC GAA/GPA Football All-Star team was announced on Thursday, 29 October, with All-Ireland champions Mayo taking six of the 15 places. Kerry, who were beaten in the final, have three awards. Westmeath, Louth, Armagh, Tyrone, Dublin and Monaghan each have one, so eight counties feature in the selection.

The spread is the widest since 2010, and only the 1971 selection, which had nine counties, was broader. Mayo's haul is their largest in nine years, according to the Irish Examiner. Andy Moran's side won the All-Ireland title in July, and their six players cover defence, midfield and attack.

Mayo6

Kerry3

Westmeath1

Louth1

Armagh1

Tyrone1

Dublin1

Monaghan1

Mayo

6 awards

Kerry

3 awards

Westmeath

1 awards

Louth

1 awards

Armagh

1 awards

Tyrone

1 awards

Dublin

1 awards

Monaghan

1 awards

Data from the article text

Mayo and Kerry

Mayo's six are Sam Callinan and Enda Hession in defence, Jack Carney in midfield, and Ryan O'Donoghue, Darragh Beirne and Kobe McDonald in attack. McDonald, an 18-year-old from Crossmolina, becomes the youngest ever winner of an All-Star, breaking a record held by Derry's Dermot McNicholl from 1984. Kerry's three include goalkeeper Shane Murphy, who beat off competition from Rory Beggan and Jack Livingstone for the number one jersey after Shane Ryan was injured. Full-back Jason Foley and David Clifford complete the Kerry trio. Clifford's seventh award equals Mikey Sheehy's haul, and only Colm Cooper (eight) and Pat Spillane (nine) have won more in Kerry careers. The Irish Examiner notes that Kerry's three is the lowest return for an All-Ireland finalist since Mayo received three in 2021.

First-time winners

A record 11 players win their first All-Star, the most debutants since 2022. Ronan Wallace of Westmeath takes a wing-back award, and it is Westmeath's first since 2008, when Gary Connaughton and John Keane were recognised. Wallace is also the first All-Star for his club, Multyfarnham. Armagh's Jarly Og Burns brings the first-ever All-Star back to Silverbridge, and Louth's Dara McDonnell is recognised after Louth reached their first All-Ireland semi-final since 1957. Monaghan's Stephen O'Hanlon, a wing-forward, is also a first-time winner.

Nominations and omissions

Dara McDonnell, Darragh Beirne and Kobe McDonald are the three Young Footballer of the Year nominees on the team. David Clifford, Jack Carney and Ryan O'Donoghue are nominated for Footballer of the Year. Paudie Clifford is the most debated omission, with the Irish Times arguing he was unlucky to miss a fifth All-Star. The same paper says Stephen O'Hanlon was good enough to beat Paudie Clifford and Jordan Flynn to a place, and that Westmeath's Matthew Whittaker is the defender most unlucky to miss out. The Irish Examiner also lists Jack Livingstone, David McBrien and Jordan Flynn among players who can feel unlucky.

Presentation

The awards will be presented on Friday, 30 October, when the Footballer of the Year and Young Footballer of the Year are also named. Dara McDonnell, who played at centre half-back for Louth this summer, becomes the county's fourth All-Star. He follows Paddy Keenan in 2010, Craig Lennon in 2024 and Sam Mulroy in 2025.