Ten UL Sports Scholars honoured at 2026 PwC GAA GPA All-Star Awards

University of Limerick’s GAA talent was recognised at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards, with 10 current and former UL sports scholars honoured across football and hurling, including three individual Players of the Year.

The ten athletes claimed three football and seven hurling All-Stars at the awards in Dublin last week. 

Among them were two current UL sports scholars, Darragh Beirne and Aidan O’Connor, alongside eight former scholars whose sporting achievements have continued beyond their time at the University.

Mayo’s Ryan O’Donoghue was named Footballer of the Year, fellow Mayo player and current UL student Darragh Beirne received Young Footballer of the Year, and Limerick’s Gearóid Hegarty was named Hurler of the Year.

The awards come in a memorable year for GAA in UL, following the University’s historic Sigerson Cup title. 

All three football All-Stars have studied at UL. Ryan O’Donoghue graduated with a BA in Business Studies, specialising in Accounting and Finance, while David Clifford completed a BSc in Physical Education. Current student Darragh Beirne is in his second year of a BSc in Physical Education with Geography.

Seven UL sports scholars were recognised in hurling. Former scholar Adam English completed a Master’s in Project Management, while Barry Nash graduated with a BSc in Technology Management.

Cathal O’Neill graduated with a BSc in Physical Education with Irish, while William O’Donoghue and Kyle Hayes both completed a BA  in Business Studies.

Gearóid Hegarty completed a Professional Master of Education (Business), and current student Aidan O’Connor is studying for a Bachelor of Engineering in Biomedical Engineering.

Gearóid Hegarty’s Hurler of the Year award brought his career All-Star tally to five. His time at UL saw him represent the University in both the Fitzgibbon Cup hurling competition and the Sigerson Cup football competition. His father, Ger Hegarty, is currently involved in the management of UL GAA’s Fitzgibbon Cup squad, continuing the family’s connection with GAA at the University.

Commenting on the success of the recipients, Neasa O’Donnell, Head of Student Sport, UL said:

“The achievements of the ten sports scholars highlight how UL supports student-athletes in balancing academic ambitions with competition at the highest level of their sport. 

"UL warmly congratulates all ten recipients on their outstanding sporting achievements.”