Historic All-Star night for Mayo as O'Donoghue and Beirne take elite football accolades
Mayo GAA has savoured a historic night at the PwC GAA/GPA All Star Awards 2026 at the RDS in Dublin.
The All-Ireland champions became the first county to win both the Footballer of the Year and Young Footballer of the Year in the same season.
Ryan O'Donoghue, the Belmullet powerhouse, was placed ahead of his Mayo team-mate Jack Carney and iconic Kerry talisman David Clifford for the Footballer of the Year crown, the latter winning his seventh All-Star.
O'Donoghue is the third Mayo player to the win the Footballer of the Year after Lee Keegan in 2016 and Andy Moran in 2017.
Darragh Beirne, the dynamic Claremorris forward, took the title of Young Footballer of the Year ahead of Crossmolina sensation Kobe McDonald and Louth ace Dara McDonnell.
Beirne just got better and better the further Mayo went in the championship.
His seven-point tally against Cork in the quarter-final was followed by goals in both the semi-final and final wins over Louth and Kerry, respectively.
Mayo secured six places on the PwC Football All-Star team for 2026.
After a season in which the county captured the Sam Maguire for the first time in 75 years, Mayo were duly rewarded with All-Stars for defensive pillars Sam Callinan and Enda Hession, talented young forwards Darragh Beirne and Kobe McDonald along with dynamic midfield Jack Carney and the inspirational Ryan O’Donoghue.
Speaking after he was named Footballer of the Year, O'Donoghue said the success it still sinking in despite the fact 96 days have passed since defeating Kerry in the final.
"We have travelled far and wide with the Sam Maguire and some day what we achieved will sink in, but not quite yet."
He revealed his award will sit proudly on the mantle piece of his parents' home in Belmullet.
"I give all my awards to my mother. She and Dad have done a lot for me over the years," he said.
He took the opportunity to thank his family, his team-mates, the Mayo management team, his club Belmullet, every coach and volunteer who helped him throughout his career.
"This is a small reward for you," he said.
He also singled out his girlfriend Courtney for her support, announcing they are building a house in Belmullet after deciding to live in their native place.
"Belmullet means everything to us," he added.
In praise of O'Donoghue, former Mayo footballer Tom Parsons, the GPA CEO, said: “Ryan has been a leader for Mayo for several seasons, and in 2026 he carried that responsibility all the way to Sam Maguire.
"He drove the Mayo attack through the knockout stages and produced one of his finest performances in the final itself. This award is a fitting recognition of a player who has given so much to Mayo football, and to his club, Belmullet."
In a further boost for Connacht GAA, Galway forward Jason Rabbitte claimed the Young Hurler of the Year accolade.
The All-Stars are chosen by a panel of Gaelic games correspondents from across print, radio, TV and digital media and chaired by Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns.
The overall PwC GAA GPA Player and Young Player of the Year awards are chosen by the inter-county players themselves.