Baby news, sweet moments and somersaults! Inside Limerick hurlers' big night
And while the conversation on stage was largely about his brilliance with a hurley in hand, Marty couldn't resist asking the schoolteacher a question that has long fascinated hurling supporters
FROM slick somersaults on the dancefloor and sweet family snaps to some very special baby news, Limerick’s hurling heroes had plenty to celebrate at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star awards.
And while there were smiles all round at the glittering ceremony in Dublin’s RDS on Friday night, it was an occasion that one man in particular will never forget.
Gearóid Hegarty received the biggest hurling honour of the night when he was crowned Hurler of the Year for the second time in his career.
The St Patrick’s powerhouse, who previously claimed the prestigious award in 2020, was greeted with a standing ovation as those gathered rose to their feet to acknowledge his extraordinary season in the green and white jersey.
And despite all his success on the hurling field, the Limerick star admitted to being more than a little nervous as he stepped onto the stage to accept his award.
“My heart is pounding to be honest with you,” he told RTE presenter Marty Morrissey when asked how he was feeling.
“It’s a massive honour,” he continued. “I’ve had lovely hours with my family - my wife, my parents-in-law and my grandmother. We had a couple of pints below in the Hogan Bar there this evening in anticipation of tonight. To stand here in front of some of the best hurlers to ever play the game and obviously lots of my teammates here as well...I’m very proud,” he said.
Gearóid had been up against his Limerick teammate Diarmaid Byrnes and Cork’s Brian Hayes for hurling’s top individual accolade.
And while the conversation on stage was largely about his brilliance with a hurley in hand, Marty couldn't resist asking the schoolteacher a question that has long fascinated hurling supporters.
Just how tall is Gearóid Hegarty?
“One inch smaller than Kyle Hayes everybody tells me and one inch taller than my father”.
“How tall is that?” Marty asked.
“About six, five,” came the reply from Gearóid, who also had a fifth All-Star to celebrate.
It was a night of richly deserved recognition for John Kiely’s all-conquering Limerick side, who completed a remarkable clean sweep of the National Hurling League, Munster Championship and All-Ireland Championship in 2026.
And the celebrations certainly weren't confined to the stage, with plenty of memorable moments captured as the players enjoyed their big night alongside their nearest and dearest.
Effin’s Nickie Quaid was honoured with his fourth All-Star, while newly-engaged South Liberties defender Barry Nash collected his third award as Limerick’s sole representative in the full-back line.
There was no looking past the Limerick men in the half-back line, however, with all three positions filled by Limerick players.
Patrickswell’s Diarmaid Byrnes, Na Piarsaigh’s William O’Donoghue and Kildimo-Pallaskenry’s Kyle Hayes were all selected following their outstanding contributions to another unforgettable year.
And for Diarmaid, who was celebrating his fifth All-Star, there was even more exciting news to share.
The Limerick defender and his wife Elaine are expecting their first baby, with the happy couple sharing a gorgeous photograph from the occasion.
Elaine looked beautiful as she cradled her growing baby bump, with the couple clearly having plenty to smile about.
Meanwhile, newly-married William O’Donoghue was making quite an impression of his own, and not just because of the moustache he was sporting for the occasion!
The Na Piarsaigh star, who collected his third All-Star, showed he has a few tricks up his sleeve away from the hurling field too.
As the celebrations got into full swing later that night, William took to the dancefloor and pulled off a slick forward somersault, much to the delight of those watching.
Kyle Hayes was another man with plenty of reason to celebrate, collecting an incredible sixth All-Star.
He was joined on the night by his partner, Limerick ladies footballer Meadhbh MacNamara, although there won't be much time for the Kildimo-Pallaskenry man to put his feet up.
The dual player has another big sporting occasion on the horizon this Sunday when Kildimo-Pallaskenry take on Abbeyfeale in the Irish Wire Products Senior Football Championship final at Mick Neville Park in Rathkeale.
For Doon’s Adam English, Friday night brought another milestone in what has been a fantastic year, with the talented midfielder picking up the first All-Star of his career.
And just as they had dominated the half-back line, Limerick completed another clean sweep further up the field.
Gearóid Hegarty was joined in the half-forward line by Ballybrown’s Aidan O’Connor and Crecora-Manister’s Cathal O’Neill, with the latter two celebrating their first All-Star awards.
For Cathal, it was another special moment in a year that saw him produce a man-of-the-match performance in the All-Ireland final.