Mayo earn six All-Stars as 11 players win first award

Ryan O'Donoghue, Kobe McDonald and Darragh Beirne are three of Mayo's six All-Stars [Getty Images]Six of the team that helped Mayo end their 75-year wait for All-Ireland glory have been recognised in the 2026 All-Stars.

>Defenders Sam Callinan and Enda Hession and forwards Darragh Beirne and Kobe McDonald have been selected alongside Footballer of the Year nominees Jack Carney and Ryan O'Donoghue, who also won an All-Star in 2021.

>McDonald - who has since embarked on his Australian Football League career - and Beirne are also nominated for Young Footballer of the year.

>Kerry superstar David Clifford - who is also competing for his fourth Footballer of the Year title - picks up his seventh award alongside Kingdom team-mates Jason Foley and Shane Murphy.

>Clifford's seventh All-Star brings him alongside Kerry great Mikey Sheehy and closer to Colm Cooper (eight) and Pat Spillane (nine).

>There are eight different counties represented - the most since 2010 - and 11 first-time winners, the most since 2022.

Enduring memories and 'imposter syndrome' - The GAA Social meets Mayo star CarneyThere are three first-time inclusions from Ulster counties: dynamic Armagh wing-back Jarly Og Burns, totemic Tyrone midfielder Conn Kilpatrick and skilful Monaghan wing-forward Stephen O'Hanlon.

>Burns - the son of GAA president Jarlath Burns - was instrumental in helping Armagh end an 18-year wait for an Ulster title, while Kilpatrick shone for the Red Hands before helping his club Edendork win their first Tyrone championship last week.

>Westmeath captain Ronan Wallace is recognised after helping the Lake County win their first Leinster SFC title in 22 years, while Louth's Dara McDonnell is included at centre-back after starring in the Wee County's run to the All-Ireland semi-finals.

>McDonnell is also up for Young Footballer of the Year against McDonald and Beirne.

>Niall Scully is Dublin's sole inclusion, his second All-Star after picking up his first in 2020.

>"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," said GAA president Burns.

>"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 2026 All-Stars ceremony - where the Footballer of the Year will be crowned - takes place in Dublin's RDS Centre on Friday evening.

Limerick's Byrnes and Hegarty up for POTY award2026 Football All-Stars (previous winning years in brackets)1. Shane Murphy (Kerry)

>2. Sam Callinan (Mayo)

>3. Jason Foley (Kerry) (2022, 2025)

>4. Enda Hession (Mayo)

>5. Ronan Wallace (Westmeath)

>6. Dara McDonnell (Louth)

>7. Jarlath Óg Burns (Armagh)

>8. Conn Kilpatrick (Tyrone)

>9. Jack Carney (Mayo)

>10. Niall Scully (Dublin) (2020)

>11. Ryan O'Donoghue (Mayo) (2021)

>12. Stephen O'Hanlon (Monaghan)

>13. Darragh Beirne (Mayo)

>14. David Clifford (Kerry) (2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025)

>15. Kobe McDonald (Mayo)

Footballer of the Year nominees1. David Clifford (Fossa, Kerry)

>2. Ryan O'Donoghue (Belmullet, Mayo)

>3. Jack Carney (Kilmeena, Mayo)

Young Footballer of the Year nominees1. Darragh Beirne (Claremorris, Mayo)

>2. Kobe McDonald (Crossmolina Deel Rovers, Mayo)

>3. Dara McDonnell (Naomh Máirtín, Louth)