Mayo earn six All-Stars as 11 players win first award
Mayo have six players in the 2026 Gaelic football All-Star team, recognising the squad that ended the county’s 75-year wait for an All-Ireland title. The selection also reflects a broadly competitive season, with players from eight counties included, the most since 2010.
Sam Callinan, Enda Hession, Darragh Beirne, Kobe McDonald, Jack Carney and Ryan O’Donoghue make up Mayo’s six; Beirne and McDonald are also Young Footballer of the Year nominees. Kerry’s David Clifford wins his seventh All-Star, matching Mikey Sheehy’s total and moving within one of Colm Cooper’s eight. There are 11 first-time winners, while the awards ceremony in Dublin will also name Footballer of the Year.
In short
- Mayo lead with six All-Stars after ending a 75-year wait for the All-Ireland.
- Eight counties are represented, the most since 2010.
- David Clifford collects his seventh All-Star.
Explained simply
The All-Stars are annual awards for the best players in Gaelic football, chosen after the season. Players are recognised in different positions, and the team reflects performances across the county game.
Mayo is a county in the west of Ireland with a long history in Gaelic football. An All-Ireland title is the sport’s leading county championship, contested by teams from across Ireland; Mayo’s win ended a 75-year gap between titles.
The awards also recognise individual achievement: David Clifford plays for Kerry, another leading football county, and has won All-Stars before. The spread of players across counties shows that strong performances came from several teams during the season.