Champions Laois dominate Joe McDonagh Cup team of the year

Four counties are represented on the selection

There are seven Laois players on the 2026 Joe McDonagh Cup team of the year. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile

Wed, 14 Oct, 2026 - 12:26

Cian Locke

Seven players from Joe McDonagh Cup winners Laois have been recognised on the competition's team of the year. After losing finals in 2024 and 2025, Laois overcame Carlow in this season's decider, earning promotion to the Leinster SHC.

Ian Shanahan and Pádraig Delaney man the full-back line, while Fiachra C-Fennell is on the half-back line, and David Dooley is in midfield. Stephen 'Picky' Maher and Aaron Dunphy are on the half-forward line while Cillian Dunne, scorer of 1-6 from play in the final, is named at full-forward.

Beaten finalists Carlow have five on the team. Brian Tracey is named in goal while Paul Doyle is named at corner-ack and Fiachra Fitzpatrick at wing-back. James Doyle and Martin Kavanagh are both recognised at corner-forward.

There are two Down players in the team, Caolán Taggart at centre-back and Dónal Hughes in midfield. Antrim's Ryan McCambridge rounds out the team at half-forward.

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The winners will be honoured at a special banquet at Croke Park this Friday evening. Additional guests of honour will be the Champion 15 winners and the Tailteann Cup football team of the year which will be announced tomorrow morning. Friday night’s celebration will also see the overall hurlers and footballers of the year announced.

Meanwhile, new Limerick senior football manager Micheal Cahill's 2027 backroom team has been confirmed.

Ian Ryan and Eoin O’Hagan remain involved, having been alongside Cahill and ex-manager Jimmy Lee last season.

Stephen Lavin is also part of the coaching set-up, as is former under-20 manager John O’Grady.

Joe McDonagh Cup team of the year 2026

1. Brian Tracey (Carlow)

2. Ian Shanahan (Laois)

3. Pádraig Delaney (Laois)

4. Paul Doyle (Carlow)

5. Fiachra C-Fennell (Laois)

6. Caolán Taggart (Down)

7. Fiachra Fitzpatrick (Carlow)

8. David Dooley (Laois)