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GAA Rounders All-Stars 2026: Full Winners List as Galway City Rapparees Claim Club of the Year

Garth Kenny — Tue, 10 Nov 2026 08:03:38 +0000

GAA ROUNDERS • 2026 ALL-STARS

2026 GAA Rounders All-Stars: The Complete Winners List

All the individual All-Stars, provincial honours, Teams of the Year and special awards from the 2026 celebrations.

30Individual All-Stars

4Provincial Club Awards

3Teams of the Year

Club of the Year: Galway City Rapparees

The Galway club secured the overall national award alongside the Connacht Club of the Year title, completing an outstanding 2026 season that also produced four individual All-Star winners.

Special Awards

National Club of the YearGalway City RappareesGalway

Communications AwardCarrickmacross EmmetsMonaghan

President’s AwardMichael DowlingThe Heath, Laois

Provincial Clubs of the Year

ConnachtGalway City RappareesGalway

LeinsterEmoLaois

MunsterSt Senan’sLimerick

UlsterErne EaglesCavan

Teams of the Year

JuniorKilmoreRoscommon

IntermediateKilmoreRoscommon

SeniorLimekilnDublin

Junior All-Star Winners

Category	Winner	Club
Women	Louise Kelly	St Senan’s Limerick
Men	Mathew Flynn	Gusserane Wexford
Mixed Female	Sorcha Dowd	Galway City Rapparees
Mixed Male	Aidan Carr	Kilmore Roscommon

Intermediate All-Star Winners

Category	Winner	Club
Women	Katie Jessop	Galway City Rapparees
Men	Jason Cawley	St Clare’s Cavan
Mixed Female	Clodagh Naughton	Galway City Rapparees
Mixed Male	Liam Horgan	Emo Laois

Senior Mixed All-Stars

Category	Winner	Club
Women	Michelle Hopkins	Breaffy Mayo
Men	Chris Hughes	Limekiln Dublin

Senior Women’s All-Stars

Position	Winner	Club
Pitcher	Serena Costelloe	Limekiln
Catcher	Katie Groonell	Breaffy
First Base	Amanda Kealy	Limekiln
Second Base	Aisling Ginnitty	Carrickmacross Emmets
Third Base	Maggie Brady	Erne Eagles
Short Stop	Gráinne Gavin	Breaffy
Left Outfield	Katie Jordan	Breaffy
Centre Outfield	Colette McCaul	Limekiln
Right Outfield	Emma Hudson	Limekiln
Roaming	Yvonne Healy	Limekiln

Senior Men’s All-Stars

Position	Winner	Club
Pitcher	Darryl Dolan	Erne Eagles
Catcher	Glenn Shier	Cúchulainn
First Base	Shane Sheridan	Erne Eagles
Second Base	Ronan Kiernan	Carrickmacross Emmets
Third Base	Tomás Kenny	Galway City Rapparees
Short Stop	Eddie Healy	Limekiln
Left Outfield	Declan Finnegan	Carrickmacross Emmets
Centre Outfield	Victor del Rosal	Breaffy
Right Outfield	Nathan McHale	Breaffy
Roaming	Ciarán Weldon	Limekiln

Senior Awards by Club

Club	Individual Senior All-Stars
Limekiln	8
Breaffy	6
Erne Eagles	3
Carrickmacross Emmets	3
Galway City Rapparees	1
Cúchulainn	1

Source: GAA Rounders — All Stars Award Winners 2026. Senior totals include Senior Mixed awards. The highlighted individual winners represent Galway City Rapparees.

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Full List of Senior Football and Hurling County Champions 2026

JoeNa Connacht — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 19:22:55 +0000

GAA Club Championships 2026

Full List of Senior Football
and Hurling County Champions

Every county. Both codes.
All the champions, runners-up
and county final scores.

32+1
Counties & London

2
GAA Codes

5
Finals Remaining

The 2026 GAA Senior Club Championships
are almost complete, with just five
county finals remaining to be played.

After months of championship action
across Ireland, the focus now turns
to the provincial club championships
and the road towards All-Ireland glory.

From Salthill-Knocknacarra in Galway
to Dr Crokes in Kerry, Ballyhale
Shamrocks in Kilkenny and St Eunan’s
in Donegal, clubs across the country
have been celebrating county honours.

SportsNewsIRELAND brings you the full
county-by-county list of senior football
and hurling champions across all
32 counties and London, including
runners-up and final scores.

Championship Update:
Five senior county finals remain outstanding.
Details awaiting confirmation are marked
TBC and can be updated
as results become available.

CONNACHT & LONDON

Salthill-Knocknacarra, Castlebar Mitchels
and St Brigid’s are among the football
champions, while Tooreen, Four Roads
and Naomh Eoin feature in hurling.

Senior Football Champions

County	Champions	Score	Runners-up	Score
Galway	Salthill-Knocknacarra	2-12	Moycullen	1-14
Leitrim	Ballinamore Seán O’Heslin’s	3-14	Fenagh St Caillin’s	0-15
London	Fulham Irish	1-10	St Kieran’s	1-6
Mayo	Castlebar Mitchels	1-17	Garrymore	0-12
Roscommon	St Brigid’s	1-25	Padraig Pearses	2-16
Sligo	St Mary’s	1-12	Shamrock Gaels	0-10

Senior Hurling Champions

County	Champions	Score	Runners-up	Score
Galway	Tommy Larkins	TBC	Loughrea	TBC
Leitrim	Carrick	TBC	Cluainín Iomáint	TBC
London	Brothers Pearse	1-17	Sean Treacys	1-16
Mayo	Tooreen	2-29	Ballyhaunis	0-20
Roscommon	Four Roads	1-14	St Dominic’s	2-10
Sligo	Naomh Eoin	0-17	Easkey	1-13

LEINSTER

Cuala, Wolfe Tones and Tullamore
are among the football champions,
with Ballyhale Shamrocks, Naas
and Kilcormac-Killoughey among
the hurling title winners.

Senior Football Champions

County	Champions	Score	Runners-up	Score
Carlow	Rathvilly	0-14	Old Leighlin	1-8
Dublin	Cuala	3-15	Castleknock	1-6
Kildare	Maynooth	TBC	Sarsfields	TBC
Kilkenny	Mullinavat	1-15	Tullogher-Rosbercon	0-11
Laois	Portarlington	1-19	Courtwood	0-8
Longford	Clonguish	1-20	Killoe Young Emmets	1-6
Louth	Newtown Blues	0-12	St Mochta’s	0-11
Meath	Wolfe Tones	1-19	Donaghmore-Ashbourne	0-12
Offaly	Tullamore	2-16	Ferbane	1-13
Westmeath	The Downs	1-18	St Loman’s Mullingar	0-20
Wexford	Kilanerin-Ballyfad	1-15	St Martin’s	0-12
Wicklow	An Tóchar	0-21	Blessington	1-7

Senior Hurling Champions

County	Champions	Score	Runners-up	Score
Carlow	Mt Leinster Rangers	3-16	St Mullin’s	1-18
Dublin	Kilmacud Crokes	2-17	TBC	0-12
Kildare	Naas	3-13	Maynooth	0-11
Kilkenny	Ballyhale Shamrocks	2-24	Tullaroan	0-8
Laois	The Harps	2-23	Camross	0-13
Longford	Longford Slashers	1-22	Wolfe Tones	1-12
Louth	St Fechin’s	2-18	Naomh Moninne	2-16
Meath	Kilmessan	0-22	Kiltale	0-15
Offaly	Kilcormac-Killoughey	0-19	Ballinamere	0-17
Westmeath	Lough Lene Gaels	1-16	Raharney	0-16
Wexford	Shelmaliers	1-18	Rathnure St Anne’s	2-13
Wicklow	Carnew Emmets	0-15	Glenealy	0-12

MUNSTER

Dr Crokes and Nemo Rangers feature
among Munster’s football champions,
while Ballygunner, Glen Rovers,
Kilmallock and Thurles Sarsfields
are among the hurling winners.

Senior Football Champions

County	Champions	Score	Runners-up	Score
Clare	Éire Óg Inis	2-15	Kilmurry-Ibrickane	1-10
Cork	Nemo Rangers	1-19	St Finbarr’s	2-12
Kerry	Dr Crokes	1-24	Kenmare Shamrocks	2-14
Limerick	Kildimo-Pallaskenry	TBC	Fr Casey’s	TBC
Tipperary	Loughmore-Castleiney	0-15	Clonmel Commercials	0-13
Waterford	Rathgormack	2-13	The Nire	0-10

Senior Hurling Champions

County	Champions	Score	Runners-up	Score
Clare	Inagh-Kilnamona	2-18	Kilmaley	1-14
Cork	Glen Rovers	2-20	St Finbarr’s	0-23
Kerry	Abbeydorney	3-16	St Brendan’s	1-12
Limerick	Kilmallock	3-19	Na Piarsaigh	1-22
Tipperary	Thurles Sarsfields	1-19	Moycarkey-Borris	1-11
Waterford	Ballygunner	1-16	Fourmilewater	0-15

ULSTER

St Eunan’s are listed as winners
of both Donegal senior titles,
while Magherafelt, Scotstown,
Crossmaglen Rangers and Edendork
are among the football champions.

Senior Football Champions

County	Champions	Score	Runners-up	Score
Antrim	St Brigid’s	0-21	O’Donovan Rossa	1-16
Armagh	Crossmaglen Rangers	1-19	Killeavy	0-17
Cavan	Gowna	4-17	Kingscourt Stars	0-14
Derry	Magherafelt	3-17	Newbridge	0-20
Donegal	St Eunan’s	1-16	Naomh Conaill	1-15
Down	Clonduff	1-14	Burren	1-10
Fermanagh	Erne Gaels Belleek	1-21	Derrygonnelly Harps	0-12
Monaghan	Scotstown	1-22	Truagh	0-11
Tyrone	Edendork	1-14	Errigal Ciaran	1-13

Senior Hurling Champions

County	Champions	Score	Runners-up	Score
Antrim	Dunloy Cuchulainns	TBC	Ruairí Óg Cushendall	TBC
Armagh	Keady	0-17	Middletown	0-15
Cavan	Cootehill Celtic	3-23	East Cavan Gaels	3-8
Derry	Slaughtneil	0-20	Kevin Lynch’s	1-14
Donegal	St Eunan’s	1-18	Setanta	1-17
Down	Portaferry	2-28	Ballygalget	2-17
Fermanagh	Lisbellaw St Patrick’s	TBC	No Senior Championship	—
Monaghan	Castleblayney	2-17	Truagh	1-13
Tyrone	TBC	TBC	TBC	TBC

The Road to Provincial Glory

With the majority of county titles
decided, attention now switches to
the provincial club championships.

County champions across Connacht,
Leinster, Munster and Ulster will
attempt to turn local success into
provincial silverware and ultimately
challenge for All-Ireland honours.

The remaining five county finals
will complete the championship
picture in the coming weeks.

Championship data: @gaelicstandings,
supplied 26 October 2026.
TBC denotes details awaiting confirmation.
Results and outstanding finals should be
checked against official county records.

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Pearse Stadium Set to Host Novel Galway Senior Hurling Final Between Tommy Larkins and Loughrea

Garth Kenny — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:29:34 +0000

The stage is officially set for an enthralling showdown in the county club championship as Pearse Stadium prepares to host the Galway Senior Hurling Championship (SHC) final for the second consecutive year. Scheduled for Sunday week, November 1, at 3:00 PM, the premier decider will be broadcast live on TG4, bringing the action to hurling fans across the country.

While Kenny Park in Athenry is widely regarded as the spiritual heartland of Galway hurling—having staged the Tom Callanan Cup decider two years ago—this year’s blockbuster pairing will once again light up Salthill.

The Path to the Final: A Historic Pairing

The 2026 decider features a wonderfully novel pairing as Tommy Larkins prepare to lock horns with Loughrea. Both sides earned their places in the final following hard-fought, contrasting semi-final victories:

Tommy Larkins: Are celebrating a monumental milestone, advancing to their first SHC final in a remarkable 55 years. They booked their ticket to Salthill following an epic, nerve-wracking 2-26 to 1-27 victory over Clarinbridge after extra-time last Saturday.
Loughrea: Kept their ambitious three-in-a-row championship dreams alive by finishing with a strong flourish to overcome Craughwell 0-20 to 0-15 in Sunday’s second semi-final.

A Festival of County Hurling Finals

The senior showpiece is part of a massive weekend of club hurling action across Galway, featuring several key finals and curtain-raisers:

Sunday, November 1:
- ‘Premier’ JHC Final: Abbeyknockmoy vs. Sylane at 1:00 PM (preceding the senior final).
Saturday, October 31 (at Kenny Park):
- IHC Final: Mullagh and Kilconieron square off at 3:30 PM.
- JHC ‘D’ Decider: Loughrea and Kiltormer serve as the curtain-raiser at 1:30 PM.

With Tommy Larkins looking to end a half-century wait for senior glory, and Loughrea driving hard to protect their championship dynasty, November 1 promises to deliver an unforgettable afternoon of top-tier club hurling at Pearse Stadium.

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2027 Provincial Senior Football Championship Draws Confirmed for November 19

Jack Irwin — Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:23:58 +0000

GAA fans can officially mark their calendars, as the dates and broadcasting details for the upcoming season’s setup have been finalized. The official draws for the 2027 provincial senior football championships are scheduled to take place on Thursday, November 19.

The much-anticipated event will be broadcast live via streaming on GAA+. To give fans a comprehensive viewing experience, the broadcast is set to feature expert panel discussions alongside immediate reactions from players as the pairings are revealed.

Defending Champions Ready to Defend Their Crowns

As counties look ahead to the new campaign, attention naturally turns to the reigning title holders who will be putting their provincial crowns on the line in 2027. The teams returning as targets after a successful run this year include:

Armagh
Westmeath
Roscommon
Kerry

Hurling Championships Follow a Different Path

While football supporters await the luck of the draw next month, followers of the small ball game will notice a different format. Officials confirmed that no draws are required for the Leinster and Munster senior hurling championships. Instead, the round-robin fixtures are scheduled automatically each year on a rotating basis.

Stay tuned to GAA+ and local coverage on November 19 as the road to the 2027 provincial football titles officially begins.

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New Format Proposed for Leinster Senior Hurling Championship Ahead of 2027 Congress Vote

Garth Kenny — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 19:30:51 +0000

A transformative blueprint for the Leinster Senior Hurling Championship is officially headed to the annual GAA Congress for a vote next year, following unanimous backing from the provincial council’s management.

Led by a workshop committee chaired by former GAA president Nickey Brennan, the newly designed eight-team structure has been crafted to create a sustainable, competitive pathway for emerging counties. If approved, the format could see action as early as the 2028 championship.

Bridging the Gap for Tier-Two Counties

For years, “yo-yo” counties like Laois, Westmeath, Carlow, and Kildare have faced immense challenges in trying to bridge the gap with the game’s elite without falling victim to immediate relegation threats. The newly proposed model aims to offer these tier-two teams more breathing room, greater exposure, and vital acclimatization time at the top level.

Requested by Leinster GAA chair Martin Byrne, the comprehensive report successfully balances the need for heightened competitiveness in the province’s flagship tournament while extending a vital safety net and developmental leg-up to lower-tier participants.

How the Proposed Format Works

Under the recommended system, the championship will be split to incorporate the Joe McDonagh Cup finalists into a dynamic two-group structure:

Group 1: Comprising the top four teams from the previous year’s Leinster Senior Hurling Championship. These teams will play a round-robin series against one another, after which the top two finishers automatically advance to separate semi-final spots.
Group 2: Made up of the bottom two teams from the previous season’s Leinster SHC alongside the Joe McDonagh Cup finalists.
The Knockout Phase: The bottom two finishers from Group 1 will face off against the top two finishers from Group 2 in high-stakes quarter-final matches. Meanwhile, the beaten Leinster semi-finalists will contest a playoff to determine All-Ireland quarter-final qualification.
Relegation and Pathways: Teams finishing third and fourth in Group 2 will proceed to the Joe McDonagh Cup semi-finals against the top finishers of a third group (consisting of remaining McDonagh Cup sides). The bottom two in that third group will contest a relegation play-off to avoid dropping down to the Christy Ring Cup.

“The first thing was to make sure the championship is competitive,” said Nickey Brennan. “We now offer three round-robin games and a series of knock-out games. There will be more jeopardy if this gets the approval at Congress… If they lose there, the year is not lost and they can go back to the Joe McDonagh Cup semi-finals. So there is an awful lot to play for.”

A Glimpse at the Potential Lineup

To put the new structure into perspective based on the 2026 series:

Group 1: Dublin, Galway, Kilkenny, and Offaly.
Group 2: Carlow, Kildare, Laois, and Wexford.
Group 3: Antrim, Derry (Christy Ring Cup winners), Down, and Westmeath.

With provincial management giving the green light, the decision now rests with delegates at the 2027 GAA Congress. Should it pass, seedings based on the 2027 championship results will dictate the inaugural lineup for the 2028 tournament—ushering in what many hope will be a thrilling, more inclusive era for Leinster hurling.

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Mayo Legend Cillian O’Connor Announces Inter-County Retirement After Historic All-Ireland Glory

Jack Irwin — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 19:20:15 +0000

Mayo Gaelic football icon Cillian O’Connor has announced his retirement from inter-county football at the age of 34, bringing the curtain down on one of the most prolific and inspiring careers in the history of the sport.

The Ballintubber forward confirmed the news in an extensive interview following Mayo’s landmark All-Ireland winning campaign, confirming he will not feature for the squad in the upcoming 2027 season.

A Decade-Long Legacy of Leadership

O’Connor’s departure marks the end of an era for Mayo football. First breaking into the senior ranks as a 19-year-old prodigy under James Horan, he quickly established himself as the focal point of the county’s attack.

For well over a decade, O’Connor served as Mayo’s primary marksman, leading the scoring charts through some of the county’s most dramatic chapters:

The All-Ireland Finals: He spearheaded the Mayo attacks that reached four All-Ireland finals during the 2010s, facing heartbreaking defeats against Donegal (2012) and Dublin (2013, 2016, and 2017).
Scoring Records: In 2019, O’Connor surpassed Colm Cooper to become the leading scorer in the history of the All-Ireland football championship.
Individual Brilliance: During the behind-closed-doors 2020 championship, he wrote his name into the record books once again by posting a staggering 4-09 in the semi-final victory over Tipperary—the highest individual tally ever registered in a championship game.

Overcoming Adversity and Reaching the Summit

O’Connor’s later career was severely tested by injuries. After missing the 2021 championship run due to a major injury, his appearances became less frequent. He opted out of the 2025 season entirely to manage his fitness, though he explicitly noted at the time that retirement was not yet on his mind.

He returned to the fold under manager Andy Moran for the 2026 campaign. Though persistent injuries and fatigue limited him to just two appearances, O’Connor remained an invaluable presence within the squad. His perseverance was ultimately rewarded when Mayo edged out Kerry to capture the Sam Maguire Cup, ending the county’s agonizing 75-year wait for All-Ireland glory and securing O’Connor his long-awaited Celtic Cross.

As a two-time All-Star and the championship’s all-time greatest scorer, Cillian O’Connor leaves behind an unmatched legacy of resilience, leadership, and brilliance that will be celebrated in Mayo and across Gaelic games for generations to come.

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Paul Devlin Extends Reign as Tyrone U20 Football Manager for Three More Years

JoeNa Connacht — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 08:36:42 +0000

Tyrone GAA has secured a massive boost for its football pipeline following the official reappointment of Paul Devlin as the county’s U20 football manager. The decision was ratified by the County Committee during a meeting in Garvaghey, locking in Devlin’s services for another three-year term.

With this new extension, Devlin will continue to steer the Tír Eoghain underage stars as preparations officially get underway for the 2027 season.

A Proven Track Record of Success

Devlin is no stranger to success at the helm of the Red Hands’ U20 setup, having already dedicated nine years to the role. Under his astute guidance, Tyrone has emerged as one of the most dominant underage forces in Gaelic football.

His impressive managerial resume includes:

All-Ireland titles secured in 2022, 2024, and 2025.
Six Ulster U20 titles out of the last eight campaigns.
A narrow miss at a historic three-in-a-row of All-Ireland crowns, following a hard-fought defeat to Kerry in the most recent final.

Looking Ahead to 2027 and Beyond

In an official statement released following the county board meeting, Tyrone GAA expressed enthusiasm for the future under Devlin’s continued leadership:

“Tyrone GAA is pleased to confirm the reappointment of Paul Devlin as U20 Football Manager for a further three-year term, following ratification by the County Committee this evening. Paul will continue to lead the Tír Eoghain U20 footballers as preparations begin for the 2027 season. We wish Paul and his management team every success for the years ahead.”

As Devlin and his backroom team turn their focus toward the 2027 campaign, Tyrone supporters will be eager to see the next generation of footballing talent step up and aim to reclaim national glory under his guidance.

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Driver Steps Forward After CCTV Catches Jeep Causing Damage to Wexford GAA Pitch

Garth Kenny — Wed, 07 Oct 2026 08:28:40 +0000

The driver responsible for leaving deep track marks on a Wexford GAA training pitch has come forward following a public appeal and social media pressure from the local club.

The incident took place in the early hours of Sunday morning at St Brigid’s, Blackwater GAA. The driver of a Suzuki jeep drove onto the club grounds, causing noticeable damage to the playing surface.

CCTV Footage and Online Appeal Lead to Quick Breakthrough

Determined to protect their facilities, club officials acted swiftly. The entire incident was caught on the club’s security cameras. St Brigid’s shared the CCTV images of the vehicle and the resulting pitch damage across their online channels.

Before the individual made themselves known, the club had issued a firm warning that they were prepared to escalate the matter and report the incident directly to the Gardaí.

Matter Considered Closed

The pressure yielded a quick response. The driver stepped forward to take responsibility, prompting a sigh of relief from club management and members alike.

“The person irresponsible has come forward and the matter will be resolved. We are satisfied with the outcome and consider the matter closed. Thank you for everyone who contacted us,” read an official statement released by the club.

Thanks to the swift deployment of security measures and community-backed social media sharing, St Brigid’s, Blackwater GAA was able to resolve the issue internally without the need for formal police intervention, ensuring the focus can return safely back to training and club activities.

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Pat Spillane Slams Kerry’s Managerial ‘Export’ Following Eamon Fitzmaurice’s Galway Move

Garth Kenny — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 17:20:50 +0000

Galway GAA has pulled off a major coup by securing the services of Eamon Fitzmaurice on a three-year term as their new senior football manager. Widely regarded as one of the sharpest tactical minds in Gaelic football, Fitzmaurice brings a wealth of experience and a history of innovation to the Tribesmen as they chase an elusive All-Ireland title.

However, the high-profile appointment has sparked strong reactions back in the Kingdom. Speaking on the Indo GAA podcast, Kerry legend Pat Spillane didn’t hold back, admitting that the move—and the broader trend of Kerry exporting its top managerial talent—truly “pisses him off.”

The Mass Exodus of Kerry Managers and Coaches

While Spillane acknowledged that Galway has made a masterstroke by bringing in a manager of Fitzmaurice’s caliber, he pointed out a frustrating recurring theme for Kerry natives: watching their finest minds lead rival counties.

Fitzmaurice’s appointment marks the sixth time a former Kerry senior manager has taken the reins of another county team. Spillane highlighted a distinguished list of predecessors:

Mick O’Dwyer (Micko)
Páidí Ó Sé
Micky Ned O’Sullivan
Jack O’Connor
Peter Keane
Éamonn Fitzmaurice

Spillane also noted that the managerial drain extends far beyond senior county setups. Approximately 20 former Kerry footballers—including names like Paul Galvin, John Kennedy, John O’Keeffe, and Mike Quirke—have ventured into coaching and managing other counties over the years.

Can Fitzmaurice Buck the Historical Trend?

Beyond the frustration of losing home-grown talent, Spillane raised a sobering historical reality regarding outside managers stepping into new counties. Historically, the track record of external managers leading a county to All-Ireland glory is remarkably sparse.

“The only sobering thought regarding the Eamon Fitzmaurice appointment is the history of outside managers coming in to manage counties isn’t very good. It’s only two managers coming in that have managed [to win All-Irelands] – Eugene McGee with Offaly and John O’Mahony with Galway. It’s a poor record for outside managers,” Spillane remarked.

Despite the historical odds, Fitzmaurice inherits a talented Galway squad that is fully capable of contending at the highest level. Following Padraic Joyce’s departure—after feeling he had taken the group as far as possible—Galway’s county board decided to look outward for a “best-in-class” coach to push them over the finish line.

As preparations begin for the upcoming seasons, all eyes will be on the west coast to see if Eamon Fitzmaurice can defy history and bring Sam Maguire back to Galway while rewriting the narrative around outside managers.

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Elite Trio Announced as Nominees for the 2026 TG4 Players’ Player of the Year Award

Garth Kenny — Tue, 06 Oct 2026 13:41:00 +0000

The stage is officially set for one of the most anticipated nights in women’s Gaelic football as the nominees for the prestigious 2026 TG4 Players’ Player of the Year Award have been revealed. Following a thrilling championship campaign, three standout athletes have been selected by their peers to battle it out for the ultimate individual accolade.

The Final Three: Season Standouts

This year’s shortlist features an exceptional trio of players who dominated the pitch throughout the championship:

Olivia Divilly (Galway): Marking her second consecutive nomination for the award, Divilly was instrumental in guiding the Tribes to All-Ireland glory—capturing the Brendan Martin Cup for the first time since 2004. She wrapped up an incredible championship run with a personal tally of 2-27, which included three crucial points in the final against Kerry.
Síofra O’Shea (Kerry): As the captain of the Kingdom, O’Shea led her side brilliantly all the way to the All-Ireland final. Despite finishing as runners-up, she put on a masterclass in the decider with five points, capping off the tournament as the championship’s overall top scorer with an impressive 3-30.
Aimee Mackin (Armagh): Though Armagh’s championship journey concluded at the semi-final stage, Mackin’s performances for the Orchard County were nothing short of majestic. She terrorized defenses across four games, racking up an astonishing 5-12—highlighted by a jaw-dropping 3-02 performance in the group opener against Cork.

Notably, all three nominees have also earned well-deserved nods for the upcoming TG4 All-Star Awards.

Celebrating Excellence Across All Grades

In addition to the senior category, the shortlist highlights phenomenal talent across the intermediate and junior grades:

Intermediate Nominees: Fermanagh’s Eimear Smyth, All-Ireland final Player of the Match Saoirse Wynne (Roscommon), and prolific Westmeath forward Anna Jones.
Junior Nominees: Carlow captain Róisín Bailey, teammate Sara Doyle, and Antrim’s All-Ireland final matchwinner Maria O’Neill.

Crucially, the nominees across all three categories were handpicked by fellow inter-county players, with a strict rule barring them from voting for their own team-mates, making this recognition one of the highest honors an athlete can receive.

When and Where to Watch

The winners will be officially crowned at the high-profile All-Star Awards banquet, scheduled to take place at The Bonnington Dublin Hotel on Saturday, 14 November 2026.

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