Electric Ireland is delighted to highlight 15 standout footballers from this year’s Higher Education Football Championship, as it reveals the 2026 Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Football Team of the Year.
This year's Higher Education Championships brilliantly showcased its unique blend of free-flowing football, fierce rivalry, and top-level skill. With this being the first year that the Sigerson Cup was played under the new rules, this year’s competition culminated with University of Limerick (UL) making history, securing their first-ever Sigerson Cup title by defeating Munster rivals University College Cork (UCC) by three points. This dramatic final marked the Sigerson Cup's return to Croke Park for the first time in over 40 years.
In what was a semi-final for the ages, UL defeated a relentless Queen's University Belfast (Queen’s) side 3-23 to 2-21 after extra-time in an epic encounter at Abbottstown. While on the other side of the draw UCC overcame University of Galway in a tense affair at The Mardyke, eventually coming out on top 1-11 to 1-8.
After another of season of stellar performances showcasing the talent across the Higher Education Championships, champions UL dominate the 2026 Team of the Year with seven standout performers earning a spot. Runner’s up UCC have earned four spaces, with semi-finalists University of Galway and Queen’s receiving two spots each on the team. Notably, this year’s team contains players from the length and breadth of the country with nine counties represented.
2026 Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Championship Football Team of the Year
- Tristan O’Callaghan - University of Limerick and St. Breckan's, Clare
- Dan Peet - University College Cork and Clonakilty, Cork
- Liam Evans - University College Cork and Keel, Kerry
- Charlie King - University of Limerick and Ballina, Tipperary
- Conal Dawson - University of Limerick and Westport, Mayo
- Seán Morahan - University of Limerick and Castlebar Mitchels, Mayo
- Canice Mulligan - University of Galway and St. Patrick’s, Sligo
- Brian McNamara - University of Limerick and Cooraclare, Clare
- Conor O’Neill - Queens University Belfast and Donaghmore, Tyrone
- Ruairí Murphy - University College Cork and Listry, Kerry
- Cathal Brosnan - University of Limerick and Currow, Kerry
- Eoin Colleran - University of Galway and Pádraig Pearses, Roscommon
- Ryan McQuillan - Queen's University Belfast and Con Magees Glenravel, Antrim
- Cian McHale - University of Limerick and Moy Davitts, Mayo
- Ciaran Santry - University College Cork and Carbery Rangers, Cork
Once again, this year Electric Ireland have kept sustainability at the heart of the Camogie and GAA sponsorships, by commissioning sustainable Player of the Match awards. Over the course of the season, a total of 25 Player of the Match awards were presented across all competitions including the Ashbourne, Sigerson, and Fitzgibbon Cups. Significantly, this year also sees all Electric Ireland branded trophy ribbons produced, for the first time ever, from fully sustainable and recycled materials.
The players selected in each Rising Star Team of the Year will receive a bespoke award crafted from the same renewable Beechwood material that was used in the Player of the Match awards, demonstrating Electric Ireland's unwavering commitment to environmental responsibility. The Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup Player of the Year will also be announced at an awards ceremony on Monday 30th of March.
Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns, said: “The 2026 Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup season was truly exceptional, culminating in a historic win for University of Limerick and a captivating final at Croke Park, a fitting return for the competition. The standard of football and the incredible skill on display throughout the championship were a testament to the talent within our higher education system. On behalf of the GAA, I extend my warmest congratulations to UL on their first-ever Sigerson title and to each of the 15 players selected for the Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Football Team of the Year. These championships continue to play a vital role in nurturing the next generation of inter-county stars."
Jillian Saunders, Group Sponsorship & PR Manager, Electric Ireland, commented: "Electric Ireland is immensely proud to be the sponsor of the GAA Higher Education Championships, and this year's Sigerson Cup lived up to its billing, showcasing everything we love about Gaelic Football. We are delighted to honour these 15 outstanding footballers who have been selected for the Rising Stars Football Team of the Year. Congratulations to UL and all the players recognised for their performances."
The Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Hurling Teams of the Year will be announced on Thursday March 26th with the Electric Ireland Camogie Third Level Rising Stars Team of the being announced on Thursday April 2nd.
