Three Mayo GAA players included in Higher Education Rising Stars Football Team of the Year
Allianz Football League Division 1, Hastings Insurance MacHale Park , Castlebar, Mayo 1/3/2026 Mayo vs Armagh Mayo's Cian McHale celebrates scoring a goal Mandatory Credit ©INPHO/James Crombie
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 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. Runners-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:
1. Tristan O’Callaghan - University of Limerick and St. Breckan's, Clare
2. Dan Peet - University College Cork and Clonakilty, Cork
3. Liam Evans - University College Cork and Keel, Kerry
4. Charlie King - University of Limerick and Ballina, Tipperary
5. Conal Dawson - University of Limerick and Westport, Mayo
6. Seán Morahan - University of Limerick and Castlebar Mitchels, Mayo
7. Canice Mulligan - University of Galway and St. Patrick’s, Sligo
8. Brian McNamara - University of Limerick and Cooraclare, Clare
9. Conor O’Neill - Queens University Belfast and Donaghmore, Tyrone
10. Ruairí Murphy - University College Cork and Listry, Kerry
11. Cathal Brosnan - University of Limerick and Currow, Kerry
12. Eoin Colleran - University of Galway and Pádraig Pearses, Roscommon
13. Ryan McQuillan - Queen's University Belfast and Con Magees Glenravel, Antrim
14. Cian McHale - University of Limerick and Moy Davitts, Mayo
15. Ciaran Santry - University College Cork and Carbery Rangers, Cork
