THE 2025 AIG Ladies HEC All-Star and Rising Stars teams have been announced, and six players from the successful DCU team in the AIG O’Connor Cup are included.
These selections honour the very best performers from the recent AIG Ladies HEC Championships which concluded at Queen’s University in Belfast over the weekend of Thursday-Saturday March 13-15.
Seven pieces of silverware were handed out across three memorable days, with DCU Dóchas Éireann capturing the flagship AIG O’Connor Cup for a third successive year.
DCU DÉ also captured AIG Moynihan and HEC Cup honours, to make it a hat-trick of titles over the weekend.
Goalkeeper Robyn Murray is joined on the selection by defenders Niamh Donlon and Sarah Reynolds, midfielder Hannah McGinnis, and forwards Clodagh Lohan and Emma Duggan.
Longford’s Lohan was Player of the Match against UCC in the final, as Meath ace Duggan captained the team to glory.
UCC were beaten finalists once again but there is some consolation for them as they have five players included on the All-Star team of the year, namely defenders Eve Power, Dara Kiniry and Aoife Healy, alongside forward pair Emily Lacey and Emma Morrissey.
There are three places on the team for players from Giles Cup winners, Mary Immaculate College, Limerick.
Captain Aoife Dillane, Lydia McDonagh (Player of the Match in the final) and Rachel Dwyer all earn slots on the selection, which is completed by the inclusion of Katie O’Driscoll from Lynch Cup winners MTU Cork, who was Player of the Match in the final.
The AIG Ladies HEC Rising Stars team recognises the contribution of players across the HEC, Lagan, Donaghy, and Moynihan Cups.
Leading the way on this team are AIG Moynihan Cup winners DCU Dóchas Éireann (4), who have five players on the selection.
AIG Donaghy Cup winners ATU Galway have three players included; there are two each from AIG Lagan Cup winners University of Limerick (5) and AIG Moynihan Cup Finalists TU Dublin CC, and one each from Marino Institute of Education, TUS Midwest and DCU Dóchas Éireann (7).
The winners will receive their awards at a ceremony at The Bonnington Dublin Hotel, next Friday March 28.
“I was present at Queen’s University to witness some brilliant football over the course of finals weekend,” said LGFA President Trina Murray.
“The standard of third-level football is extremely high and I wish to compliment the hard-working Ladies HEC committee and all of those involved from Queen’s University, Belfast, to ensure the smooth running of the games.”
“A huge word of thanks, also, to AIG Ireland, who came on board late last year to become title partner and main sponsor of the Ladies HEC competitions.”
“The support from AIG Ireland’s Head of Consumer Marketing and Sponsorship, John Gillick, and his team is very much appreciated.”
“We were delighted to deepen and expand our partnership with the LGFA when we agreed to become the title partner and main sponsor of the Ladies HEC Competitions,” added Gillick.
“These competitions represent the very best of grassroots LGFA players representing their clubs and counties but coming together in neutral educational environments, where sporting rivals become teammates. Here, friendships are made for life through sport and fun, which is a common thread through third-level sporting participation.”
“Reflecting on the 2025 AIG Ladies HEC Championships, well done to all the players, management teams and supporters for their effort and participation. Your standards were excellent, the football was superb, and you should all be proud of yourselves for playing at such a high standard. You are a credit to your families, clubs, counties and colleges.”
“With over 2200 registered players, 68 teams playing across 7 divisions to be recognised with an award is a significant achievement,” concluded Ladies HEC Chairperson Daniel Caldwell.
“Congratulations to all the recipients of 2025 AIG Ladies HEC All-Star and Rising Stars awards. “To our 2025 hosts, Queens University Belfast, thank you so much for the work you put into organising and supporting the O’Connor Cup. It was such a well organised event; your facilities and your team of staff and student volunteers provided a great platform for an amazing weekend of football.”
“To AIG, thank you for coming on board as sponsor for the HEC competitions. I hope the presentation of the AIG HEC All Stars and Rising Stars on Friday will be the first year of many collaborating together.”
2025 AIG HEC All Stars
1. Robyn Murray – DCU Dóchas Éireann
2. Niamh Donlon – DCU Dóchas Éireann
3. Eve Power – University College Cork
4. Dara Kiniry – University College Cork
5. Sarah Reynolds – DCU Dóchas Éireann
6. Aoife Healy – University College Cork
7. Aoife Dillane – Mary Immaculate College Limerick
8. Hannah McGinnis – DCU Dóchas Éireann
9. Katie O’Driscoll – Munster Technological University Cork
10. Clodagh Lohan – DCU Dóchas Éireann
11. Lydia McDonagh – Mary Immaculate College Limerick
12. Emma Duggan – DCU Dóchas Éireann
13. Emily Lacey – University College Cork
14. Emma Morrissey – University College Cork
15. Rachel Dwyer – Mary Immaculate College Limerick
2025 AIG HEC Rising Stars
1. Emily Hevey – DCU Dóchas Éireann 4
2. Rachel McIntyre – Marino Institute of Education
3. Riane McGrath – DCU Dóchas Éireann 4
4. Kelli McGrath – Atlantic Technological University Galway
5. Caoimhe Boyle – DCU Dóchas Éireann 4
6. Heather Spillane – Technological University of the Shannon Midwest
7. Claire O’Donohoe – University of Limerick 5
8. Áine Smith – DCU Dóchas Éireann 4
9. Brigid O’Reilly – Technological University Dublin CC
10. Saoirse Delaney – Atlantic Technological University Galway
11. Shannon Russell – Technological University Dublin CC
12. Aisling Costelloe – Atlantic Technological University Galway
13. Sarah Boyd – DCU Dóchas Éireann 7
14. Ciara Dowd – University of Limerick 5
15. Niamh McCorry – DCU Dóchas Éireann 4
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
It was a dominant weekend for DCU, which not only won a third AIG O’Connor Cup but also picked up two of the supporting competitions. That is some pipeline of talent coming through.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The awards take place in Dublin this Friday, March 28th.
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