Ben Conneely and Helen Conneely with their children Onóra and Rua after Offaly drew with Kilkenny in the Leinster SHC this year. Photo: Ger Rogers Photography.

Two Offaly hurlers nominated for All-Stars

Kieran Galvin

Published: Wed 23 Sep 2026, 10:36 AM

Two Offaly hurlers have been nominated for PwC All-Star hurling awards, after the list of nominees was released this morning (Wednesday).

Defender Ben Conneely (St Rynagh's) and attacker Eoghan Cahill (Birr) are the two Offaly players nominated in recognition of the performances during the 2026 season. Conneely has been a key figure in the Offaly defence for several years, while Cahill is renowned for his scoring prowess both from frees and open play.

Offaly finished third in this year's Leinster SHC round robin format, finishing ahead of traditional kingpins Kilkenny, with Cahill's late point earning the Faithful men a draw with the Cats.

The third place finish meant Offaly qualified for the All-Ireland hurling quarter-finals, where they fell to a heavy defeat at the hands of Cork.

Last Saturday, Conneely helped St Rynagh's to edge out Shinrone (1-24 to 0-25) in their Offaly SHC quarter-final, thereby setting up a semi-final clash with reigning champions Kilcormac-Killoughey.

For Cahill, however, there was disappointment on the club front last weekend when Birr were knocked out by Belmont at the quarter-final stage. Despite Cahill scoring 13 points for Birr, Belmont emerged as victors by 0-20 to 0-18.

A young Offaly supporter gets a selfie with Offaly's Eoghan Cahill after Offaly and Kilkenny played out a draw in this year's Leinster SHC. Photo: Ger Rogers Photography.

Meanwhile, All-Ireland champions Limerick have 13 players included among the list of 45 All-Star nominees, with Leinster champions and All-Ireland finalists Galway having a strong representation with 11 players included. There are eight counties featured in the list - Cork (seven), Clare (six), Dublin (three), Offaly, Waterford (two each) and Kilkenny (one).

Limerick duo Diarmaid Byrnes and Gearóid Hegarty and Cork sharpshooter Brian Hayes are shortlisted for the PwC GAA GPA Hurler of the Year award. The Young Hurler of the Year award nominees are Jason Rabbitte (Galway), William Buckley (Cork) and Cillian Trayers (Galway).

Uachtarán CLG Jarlath Burns said: “To be nominated for a PwC All-Star is recognition of the exceptional standards that players have reached in their pursuit of excellence. Each of those selected made a lasting impression on the hurling season and this is especially true of our Hurler of the Year contenders Diarmaid, Brian and Gearóid, and our Young Hurlers William, Jason and Cillian. I know how much it will mean to your families and clubs, and I thank the GPA and PwC for their assistance in maintaining the great institution that is the All-Stars.”

The All-Stars were first held in 1971. This year’s awards will be presented at a gala black-tie function held at the RDS and shown live on RTÉ on Friday, October 30. The nominations were chosen by a panel of Gaelic games correspondents from across print, radio, TV and digital media, chaired by Jarlath Burns.

PwC All-Stars hurling nominations 2026

Goalkeepers (three): Billy Nolan (Waterford), Nickie Quaid (Limerick), Éibhear Quilligan (Clare).

Defenders (18): Seán Finn (Limerick), William O’Donoghue (Limerick), Barry Nash (Limerick), Diarmaid Byrnes (Limerick), Kyle Hayes (Limerick), Darren Morrissey (Galway), Pádraic Mannion (Galway), Daithí Burke (Galway), Cillian Trayers (Galway), Ronan Glennon (Galway), Seán O’Donoghue (Cork), Niall O’Leary (Cork), Mark Coleman (Cork), Rob Downey (Cork), Niall O’Farrell (Clare), Diarmuid Ryan (Clare), Ben Conneely (Offaly), Paddy Smyth (Dublin).

Midfielders (six): Cian Lynch (Limerick), Adam English (Limerick), Cathal Mannion (Galway), Tony Kelly (Clare), Brian Hayes (Dublin), Cian Kenny (Kilkenny).

Forwards (18): Cathal O’Neill (Limerick), Aidan O’Connor (Limerick), Peter Casey (Limerick), Gearóid Hegarty (Limerick), Shane O’Brien (Limerick), Jason Rabbitte (Galway), Tom Monaghan (Galway), Darragh Neary (Galway), Conor Whelan (Galway), Aaron Niland (Galway), Shane Barrett (Cork), William Buckley (Cork), Brian Hayes (Cork), Peter Duggan (Clare), Seán Rynne (Clare), Dónal Burke (Dublin), Eoghan Cahill (Offaly), Stephen Bennett (Waterford).

PwC GAA GPA Hurler of the Year nominees: Diarmaid Byrnes (Patrickswell, Limerick), Brian Hayes (St Finbarr’s, Cork), Gearóid Hegarty (St Patrick’s, Limerick).

PwC GAA GPA Young Hurler of the Year nominees: William Buckley (St Finbarr’s, Cork), Jason Rabbitte (St Mary’s, Athenry, Galway), Cillian Trayers (Turloughmore, Galway).