Louth GAA trio nominated for PwC All-Star awards
Dara McDonnell, Craig Lennon, and Ciarán Downey are in the running for the Wee County
Louth GAA trio Dara McDonnell, Craig Lennon, and Ciarán Downey have been nominated for 2026 PwC Football All-Star awards and are among the 45 players shortlisted following the county’s run to the All-Ireland semi-finals.
McDonnell and Lennon are named among the defenders, while Downey is included in the forwards, and McDonnell is also in the running for the PwC GAA GPA Young Footballer of the Year.
The Naomh Máirtín man is shortlisted alongside Mayo pair Darragh Beirne and Kobe McDonald. The winner will be decided by a players’ vote. Louth captain and 2025 All-Star Sam Mulroy is not included on this year’s shortlist.
Mayo lead the nominations with 11 players after winning their first All-Ireland title in 75 years. Kerry have seven nominees, Dublin five and Westmeath four. Louth, Armagh and Monaghan have three each.
David Clifford, Ryan O’Donoghue and Jack Carney are the three nominees for Footballer of the Year. The PwC All-Stars will be presented at the RDS in Dublin on Friday, October 30, with the ceremony shown live on RTÉ.
Louth nominees
Defenders: Dara McDonnell, Craig Lennon. Forwards: Ciarán Downey. Young Footballer of the Year: Dara McDonnell
Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “Congratulations to the players who have been chosen on this prestigious list of 45 nominations in the PwC Football all-stars.
“The breadth of representation says much about the level of competition that lit up our season, and in turn, made selecting the best performers such a challenge.
“This is an honour I know the players, their families and their clubs value, and I am especially delighted for Ryan, David and Jack on being shortlisted for the Footballer of the Year award – likewise for Darragh, Kobe and Dara on their nominations for the Young Player of the Year award.”
Tom Parsons, CEO of the Gaelic Players’ Association, added: “In a special year for football, and in particular my own county Mayo, I want to congratulate each of the 45 players on their nomination.
“To be recognised among the outstanding footballers of the season is a fantastic achievement and a real reflection of the commitment, talent and sacrifice of each player.
“It’s also a special day for the families, teammates and clubs of the players, who all contribute to their individual success.
“I want to pay special tribute to Ryan, David and Jack who have been nominated for the PwC Footballer of the Year, and Darragh, Kobe and Dara who have been nominated for the PwC Young Footballer of the Year.”
Enda McDonagh, Managing Partner, PwC Ireland said: "The announcement of the 2026 PwC All-Stars Football nominations marks the beginning of one of the most anticipated celebrations in the GAA calendar.
“These nominations recognise players who have performed at the highest level, inspired their counties and communities, and demonstrated extraordinary commitment throughout the season.
“PwC is proud to continue supporting this awards programme that celebrates excellence, leadership and the values that make Gaelic Games so special.
“We congratulate all nominees on this fantastic achievement and look forward to marking their achievements at the PwC All-Stars in October."
The All-Star nominations were chosen by a group of Gaelic Games Correspondents from across print, radio, TV and digital media and were chaired by Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns.
This will be the 55th year of the awards stretching back to 1971. The PwC All-Stars will be presented at a gala black-tie event at Dublin’s RDS on Friday, 30th October, which will be shown live on RTÉ.
PwC All-Stars Football Nominations 2026
Goalkeepers: Rory Beggan (Monaghan), Jack Livingstone (Mayo), and Shane Murphy (Kerry).
Defenders: Sam Callinan (Mayo), Jack Coyne (Mayo), Enda Hession (Mayo), David McBrien (Mayo), Donnacha McHugh (Mayo), Jason Foley (Kerry), Michael Breen (Kerry), Jarlath Óg Burns (Armagh), Tiernan Kelly (Armagh), Dara McDonnell (Louth), Craig Lennon (Louth), Ronan Wallace (Westmeath), Matthew Whittaker (Westmeath), David Byrne (Dublin), Charlie McMorrow (Dublin), Tommy Walsh (Cork), Niall Devlin (Tyrone), and Dylan Byrne (Monaghan).
Midfielders: Jack Carney (Mayo), Mark O’Shea (Kerry), Conn Kilpatrick (Tyrone), John Maher (Galway), Ciarán Kilkenny (Dublin), Michael Langan (Donegal).
Forwards: Darragh Beirne (Mayo), Ryan O’Donoghue (Mayo), Kobe McDonald (Mayo), Jordan Flynn (Mayo), David Clifford (Kerry), Paudie Clifford (Kerry), Dylan Geaney (Kerry), Niall Scully (Dublin), Con O’Callaghan (Dublin), Darragh Heneghan (Roscommon), Diarmuid Murtagh (Roscommon), Sam McCartan (Westmeath), Brandon Kelly (Westmeath), Steven Sherlock (Cork), Stephen O’Hanlon (Monaghan), Ciarán Downey (Louth), Oisín Conaty (Armagh), and Robert Finnerty (Galway).
PwC GAA GPA Footballer of the Year Nominees
David Clifford (Fossa, Kerry), Ryan O’Donoghue (Belmullet, Mayo), and Jack Carney (Kilmeena, Mayo).
Darragh Beirne (Claremorris, Mayo), Kobe McDonald (Crossmolina Deel Rovers, Mayo), and Dara McDonnell (Naomh Máirtín, Louth).