Limerick claim nine hurling All-Stars, Galway pick up three

Limerick's Cathal O'Neill has won his first All-Star. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

All-Ireland senior hurling champions Limerick have claimed nine PwC All-Stars, with runners-up and Leinster winners Galway picking up three.

For the Liam MacCarthy holders, it is their biggest haul since 2021, when they won 12. There are seven first-time winners in the 15 that were announced at the gala event in the RDS on Friday night.

Galway’s three is the lowest return for an All-Ireland finalist since 2021, when Cork received none.

Limerick shot-stopper Nickie Quaid wins his fourth award after several stellar displays in 2026. He was Man of the Match in the Munster final against Cork, where two full-stretch saves denied Diarmuid Healy and Mark Coleman.

Three of Limerick’s collection are first-time recipients – Adam English, Cathal O’Neill and Aidan O’Connor. O’Neill was named Man of the Match in the All-Ireland final against Galway after scoring 1-4 from play.

Kyle Hayes is at the other end of the scale as he earns his sixth All-Star.

After a campaign that saw them reach a Munster final and an All-Ireland semi-final, Cork claim two: first-time winner Niall O’Leary and Brian Hayes. The St Finbarr’s man is the only back-to-back winner in the team.

Limerick’s formidable half-back line all feature, with William O’Donoghue adding his third and Hurler of the Year nominee Diarmaid Byrnes his fifth.

Gearóid Hegarty’s immense 2026 has been recognised by the selection committee with a fifth award. The St Patrick’s man had the notable feat of winning Man of the Match in the All-Ireland semi-final against Clare despite not scoring or even having a shot at the posts. His constant work rate and dominance under puckouts set him apart.

Galway midfielder Tom Monaghan scored a remarkable 1-27 in the 2026 championship. Micheál Donoghue’s side secured their first Leinster title since 2018 by beating Kilkenny in Croke Park and backed it up with victory against Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final.

It is a proud moment for Craughwell, who have their first-ever All-Star. The same is true for O’Neill’s Crecora/Manister, O’Connor’s Ballybrown and O’Leary’s Castlelyons.

26 years after his father Joe won his second All-Star, U20 Jason Rabbitte is selected at 13 thanks to consistently strong displays against experienced opponents. He caused Mike Casey significant trouble in the decider and hit three points from play against Cork.

They are hurling’s sixth father and son set following Martin and Liam Keoghan, Fan and Philly Larkin, Richie Power senior and junior, Tommy and Nickie Quaid, and Ken and Brian Hogan.

Peter Duggan is Clare’s sole representative. The Munster championship kicked off with a thriller in Ennis as Clare outgunned Waterford, Duggan hitting 1-1, and he carried that form through to the All-Ireland semi-final.

He was at the centre of the controversial Nickie Quaid incident in that semi-final, when he won a penalty for Tony Kelly to convert. Referee Thomas Walsh’s decision remains a sore point in the Banner. Duggan was deemed not to have had full control of the sliotar, so Quaid escaped with a yellow card rather than a black.

Unfortunate to miss out were Limerick’s Cian Lynch and Seán Finn, as well as Galway’s Cathal Mannion. There was also no place for Rabbitte’s fellow Young Hurler of the Year nominees, Galway’s Cillian Trayers and Cork’s William Buckley.

The All-Star teams are selected by two panels of journalists drawn from the national media. The Player of the Year awards are voted on by their peers on inter-county panels.

2026 PwC All-Star Hurling team: 1. Nickie Quaid (Limerick) - 4th award (2020, 2022, and 2024); 2. Niall O’Leary (Cork) - 1st award; 3. Darren Morrissey (Galway) - 1st award, 4. Barry Nash (Limerick) - 3rd award (2021 and 2022);  5. Diarmaid Byrnes (Limerick) - 5th award (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023), 6. William O’Donoghue (Limerick) - 3rd award (2021 and 2023), 7. Kyle Hayes (Limerick) - 6th award (2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024); 8. Adam English (Limerick) - 1st award; 9. Tom Monaghan (Galway) - 1st award; 10. Gearóid Hegarty (Limerick) - 5th award (2020, 2021, 2022, 2024),  11. Aidan O’Connor (Limerick) - 1st award,  12. Cathal O’Neill (Limerick) - 1st award; 13. Jason Rabbitte (Galway) - 1st award;  14. Peter Duggan (Clare) - 2nd award (2018),  15. Brian Hayes (Cork) - 2nd award (2025) 

Counties breakdown: Limerick 9; Galway 3; Cork 2; Clare 1.