Byrnes, Hegarty and Hayes up for Hurler of the Year

All-Ireland champions Limerick lead the way with 13 nominations for this year's PwC All-Stars, while the Treaty men also have two players vying for Hurler of the Year.

Two former winners - Diarmaid Byrnes (2022) and Gearóid Hegarty (2020) - will go up against Cork attacker Brian Hayes for the individual award.

Limerick reclaimed the Liam MacCarthy Cup this summer to complete a clean sweep, having landed the Munster and Allianz League crowns earlier in the year.

Eight counties are represented in the nominations, with beaten All-Ireland finalists Galway next on the list with 11 players.

Cork have seven, followed by three for fellow semi-finalists Clare, while quarter-finalists Dublin and Offaly have three and two nominations respectively. Neighbours Waterford (two) and Kilkenny (one) finish out the list.

Two Galway players are going for the Young Hurler of the Year award. They are Jason Rabbitte and Cillian Trayers, with Cork's William Buckley the third player to be involved.

"To be nominated for a PwC All-Star is recognition of the exceptional standards that players have reached in their pursuit of excellence," said Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns.

"Each of those selected made a lasting impression on the hurling season and this is especially true of our Hurler of the Year contenders Diarmaid, Brian and Gearóid, and our Young Hurlers William, Jason and Cillian."

Tom Parsons, CEO of the GPA, added: "With Limerick rising to power once again after a fantastic year and winning all before them, it's no surprise to see them receiving the most nominations this year. Galway also emerged as a new challenger, with some excellent individual performances recognised."

RTÉ will broadcast the ceremony, which was first held in 1971, from Dublin's RDS on 30 October.

Full PwC All-Stars Hurling Nominations 2026

Goalkeepers

Billy Nolan (Waterford)
Nickie Quaid (Limerick)
Éibhear Quilligan (Clare)

Defenders

Seán Finn (Limerick)
William O’Donoghue (Limerick)
Barry Nash (Limerick)
Diarmaid Byrnes (Limerick)
Kyle Hayes (Limerick)
Darren Morrissey (Galway)
Pádraic Mannion (Galway)
Daithí Burke (Galway)
Cillian Trayers (Galway)
Ronan Glennon (Galway)
Seán O’Donoghue (Cork)
Niall O’Leary (Cork)
Mark Coleman (Cork)
Rob Downey (Cork)
Niall O’Farrell (Clare)
Diarmuid Ryan (Clare)
Ben Conneely (Offaly)
Paddy Smyth (Dublin)

Midfielders

Cian Lynch (Limerick)
Adam English (Limerick)
Cathal Mannion (Galway)
Tony Kelly (Clare)
Brian Hayes (Dublin)
Cian Kenny (Kilkenny)

Forwards

Cathal O’Neill (Limerick)
Aidan O’Connor (Limerick)
Peter Casey (Limerick)
Gearóid Hegarty (Limerick)
Shane O’Brien (Limerick)
Jason Rabbitte (Galway)
Tom Monaghan (Galway)
Darragh Neary (Galway)
Conor Whelan (Galway)
Aaron Niland (Galway)
Shane Barrett (Cork)
William Buckley (Cork)
Brian Hayes (Cork)
Peter Duggan (Clare)
Seán Rynne (Clare)
Dónal Burke (Dublin)
Eoghan Cahill (Offaly)
Stephen Bennett (Waterford)