Limerick were the biggest winners in the PwC GAA All-Star Awards night with nine players named in the Hurling Team of the Year and Gearóid Hegarty crowned Hurler of the Year.
LIMERICK’S remarkable 2026 season was recognised at the PwC GAA All-Star Awards and this comes as no surprise following a spectacular comeback for the Limerick team in 2026.
After their defeat to Cork in the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship Semi-Final 2025, dethroning them from their bid for five in a row, Limerick once again is home to Liam McCarthy.
Limerick Colossus Gearoid Hegarty scooped his fifth All-Star award along with the prestigious Hurler of the Year award.
It is the St Patrick’s icon’s second Hurler of the Year award, having picked up the accolade back in 2020 when he also earned his first All-Star.
Hegarty is a part of the all-Limerick half-forward line in the Team of the Year alongside Cathal O’Neill and Aidan O’Connor, who picked up their first All-Star awards.
Adam English also earned his first All-Star after playing a starring role in midfield for the Shannonsiders.
Limerick shot-stopper Nickie Quaid secured his fourth All-Star award. This award further cements his status as one of hurling’s outstanding goalkeepers of the modern era.
The formidable Kyle Hayes won his sixth All-Star award, making him the first Limerick player to reach the milestone since previous six-time winner, legendary Joe McKenna.
Joining Hayes in the half-back line, Diarmaid Byrnes won his fifth All-Star award while fellow backs Barry Nash and William O’Donoghue were included for the third time.
Captain Cian Lynch, Sean Finn, Shane O’Brien, and Peter Casey all missed out on an All-Star this year with stiff opposition from around the country.
Limerick claim nine spots on the 2026 PwC Hurling Team of the Year, leaving the remaining six places to Galway (three), Cork (two), and Clare’s Peter Duggan.
Cork’s Niall O’Leary and Brian Hayes are included, while Jason Rabbitte and Darren Morrisey represent the Tribesmen.
From the disappointment of Limerick’s 2025 semi-final exit to reclaiming All-Ireland glory this year, these wins serve as proof of a team that has once again set the standard for hurling.
PwC Hurling Team of the Year 2026:
Nickie Quaid (Limerick); Niall O’Leary (Cork), Darren Morrisey (Galway), Barry Nash (Limerick); Diarmuid Byrnes (Limerick), William O’Donoghue (Limerick), Kyle Hayes (Limerick); Adam English (Limerick), Tom Monaghan (Galway); Gearoid Hegarty (Limerick), Aidan O’Connor (Limerick), Cathal O’Neill (Limerick); Jason Rabbite (Galway), Peter Duggan (Clare), Brian Hayes (Cork).