GAA Hurling and Gaelic Football Championships — 2026-09-23
All-Star nominations dominated this week's GAA news, with Limerick leading the hurling list on 11 nominations and the Hurler of the Year shortlist revealing three familiar contenders. County championship action delivered a major upset in Cork, where Kanturk stunned Sarsfields to reach their first Premier Senior Hurling semi-final. Offaly, reborn at senior level after reaching the All-Ireland quarter-finals, earned two All-Star nominations.
GAA Hurling and Gaelic Football Championships — 2026-09-23
Top developments
All-Star nominations unveiled, Limerick lead with 11
The GAA/GPA Hurling All-Star nominations for 2026 were published this week, with All-Ireland champions Limerick leading the way on 11 nominations. Limerick duo Gearóid Hegarty and Diarmaid Byrnes, along with Cork's Brian Hayes, have been shortlisted for the Hurler of the Year award. The nominations confirm the strength of Limerick's title-winning season and frame the individual honours debate heading into the winter banquet season.
Offaly's resurgence recognised with two nominations
Offaly picked up two All-Star hurling nominations, capping a season of progress in which the faithful county reached the All-Ireland quarter-finals. Local media described the nods as "a great honour" for a county rebuilding its senior hurling standing. The recognition matters for hurling's competitive balance, offering a morale and financial boost to a developing programme outside the traditional elite.
Kanturk stun Cork champions with six Walshes on the field
Kanturk shocked reigning Cork champions Sarsfields 4-19 to 1-25 over the weekend (September 19–20) to reach their first-ever Cork Premier Senior Hurling Championship semi-final, with six members of the Walsh family featuring. It is one of the stories of the club championship and a reminder of how club-based county finals shape the following year's inter-county depth charts. Cork's club season continues to capture attention across the county.
Dramatic quarter-final weekend in Cork analysed
The Irish Examiner's hurling podcast "The Replay" with Séanie McGrath reflected on a huge weekend of championship quarter-final action on Leeside, with Therese O'Callaghan and Barry O'Mahony breaking down the results. The episode underlines how central Cork's club championships have become to the September GAA calendar under the split-season structure.
Local view
Midlands 103 has been leading local coverage, reporting on Offaly's two All-Star nominations and looking ahead to the Offaly SHC semi-finals, with Belmont "relishing" their semi-final encounter. In Cork, the Irish Examiner's local GAA coverage has focused on the dramatic club quarter-final weekend and Kanturk's upset.
Context & numbers
- Limerick: 11 All-Star hurling nominations — most of any county
- Kanturk 4-19 v Sarsfields 1-25 — the shock result of the Cork Premier SHC quarter-finals
- For financial context framing the season: the GAA's most recent annual accounts recorded €45.7m in gate receipts, up €6.6m (17%) year-on-year, with Cork support boosting All-Ireland attendances
On the radar
- Cork Premier Senior Hurling Championship semi-finals: Kanturk's first-ever last-four appearance, following the weekend's quarter-finals
- Offaly Senior Hurling Championship semi-finals as local radio continues its build-up coverage
- All-Star selection process now underway — watch for team selection and Player of the Year announcements in the coming weeks
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