2026 has been some year for Mayo’s Ryan O’Donoghue, and it doesn’t look like the celebrations will be slowing down anytime soon!
The sportsman kicked off the year by announcing his engagement to his love Courtney O’Donnell and then, of course, there was the All-Ireland win.
Now, he’s been named Footballer of the Year at the All-Stars, and it turns out there’s another big milestone on the horizon for Ryan and his fiancé.
Mayo’s Ryan O’Donoghue is announced as PwC GAA/GPA Footballer of the Year. Pic: Sportsfile
Speaking with host Joanne Cantwell as he collected his award on stage at the RDS in Dublin, Ryan revealed that they’re building a house together.
Seemingly referring to their upcoming wedding, Joanne teasingly asked Ryan if Courtney gets to have a ‘new best day’ of Ryan’s life?
He smiled as he replied: ‘I didn’t really mean to say that after the All-Ireland, but 26th of July would be hard to beat!’
Mayo footballer Ryan O’Donoghue and Courtney O’Donnell at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Sportsfile
The presenter then asked Ryan to talk a little about being from Bellmullet, with Ryan saying: ‘Like everyone else in rural Ireland, I’ve decided to live there.
‘Myself and Courtney are going to build a house there now, hopefully in the next couple of months, but that means everything to us.
‘Belmullet’s done so much for me, and there are two tables down there [at the All-Star Awards], and hopefully we can celebrate this night together.’
While Ryan might be building a home with his soon-to-be wife, his Footballer of the Year trophy won’t be living in their house. Instead, it’ll be going to his parents’ house.
Ryan O’Donoghue is congratulated by his mother Brenda after the All-Ireland final match. Pic: Sportsfile
With a laugh, Ryan told Joanne: ‘This is my mother’s… she gets everything, and mum and dad will be getting this in their house. I know they’ve done a lot for me and I’ve a lot of people to thank.’
Family is clearly very important to Ryan, who admitted it’s been a ‘whirlwind’ since Mayo secured All-Ireland victory in July, and he made sure to give Courtney and his parents a shoutout in his speech
‘My family, thank you for everything you’ve done for me, Mum, Dad, Shay. Thank you for everything,’ he said. ‘
Ryan added: ‘And then finally, Courtney, thank you for everything you do for me. I definitely wouldn’t be up here if it wasn’t for you, so thank you so much.’
See more photos from the All-Stars below:
Mayo footballers Jordan Flynn with partner Jessie Brown and Kobe McDonald with partner Leah Maheady at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Sportsfile
Dublin footballer Ciaran Kilkenny and Rebekah Garvey at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Limerick hurler Cian Lynch and Dayna Slattery at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Louth footballer Ciaran Downey and Hannah O’Neill at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Kerry footballer Shane Murphy and Aimee Murphy at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Limerick hurler William O’Donoghue and Gemma O’Donoghue at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Mayo footballer Jack Carney and Jaimee Geraghty at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
Kilkenny hurler Cian Kenny and Rachel Moloney at the 2026 PwC GAA/GPA All-Star Awards. Pic: Sportsfile