Mayo earn six All-Stars as 11 players win first award
-
Published
Six of the team that helped Mayo end their 75-year wait for All-Ireland glory have earned inclusion in the 2026 All-Star football team.
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.
Kerry superstar David Clifford – another Footballer of the Year nominee – 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.
There are three inclusions from Ulster counties: dynamic Armagh wing-back Jarly Og Burns, totemic Tyrone midfielder Conn Kilpatrick and skilful Monaghan wing-forward Stephen O’Hanlon.
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.
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 Jarlath 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 on Friday evening.
2026 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)
