Louth GAA | Dara McDonnell wins All-Star and Young Footballer of the Year nomination
Naomh Máirtín defender Dara McDonnell has become Louth’s fourth-ever All-Star after an outstanding season for the Wee County
Louth GAA have won their fourth-ever Football All-Star, and their third in as many years, after Naomh Máirtín defender Dara McDonnell was named on the 2026 PwC Football All-Star team.
McDonnell follows in the footsteps of Paddy Keenan, who became Louth's first All-Star in 2010, Craig Lennon in 2024 and Sam Mulroy in 2025 to continue an impressive run of individual recognition for the Wee County.
The young defender has been selected at centre-back following an outstanding season that helped Louth reach the All-Ireland semi-finals.
There could be further celebrations for McDonnell, who has also been nominated for the PwC GAA/GPA Young Footballer of the Year award alongside Mayo pair Darragh Beirne and Kobe McDonald.
McDonnell played a key role in Gavin Devlin’s sides championship campaign and earned two consecutive man-of-the-match awards on the way to the All-Ireland last four.
Jarlath Burns welcomed the selection, “An incredible football season that was crammed full of memorable twists and turns has a legacy in this All-Star football team, one that reflects just how competitive our game is now.
“Mayo have had their season rightly rewarded, and with eight counties represented and 11 first-time winners, there will be clubs all over Ireland that wake up and share in this fantastic news and feel that they have played a part in this success.
“It will be an extraordinary honour and privilege to be able to present my own club’s first-ever All-Star award to Jarly Óg and Silverbridge.
“The All-Stars are the pinnacle in individual achievement, and we are enormously thankful to PwC for their continued support of this great institution in Irish sport.”
Gaelic Players' Association CEO Tom Parsons also highlighted the spread of counties represented, “It is also encouraging to see Westmeath, Louth, Armagh, Tyrone, Dublin and Monaghan represented, which demonstrates the strength of the game across the country.”
The All-Star awards will be presented at a black-tie ceremony at Dublin's RDS on tonight, when the Footballer of the Year and Young Footballer of the Year winners will also be announced.
PwC GAA GPA Footballer of the Year Nominees: David Clifford (Fossa, Kerry), Ryan O’Donoghue (Belmullet, Mayo), and Jack Carney (Kilmeena, Mayo)
PwC GAA GPA Young Footballer of the Year Nominees: Darragh Beirne (Claremorris, Mayo), Kobe McDonald (Crossmolina Deel Rovers, Mayo), and Dara McDonnell (Naomh Máirtín, Louth)