The 2025 Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Football Team of the Year has been named this afternoon.
Dublin City University (DCU Dóchas Éireann) took home their sixth Sigerson Cup title this year, winning for the first time since 2020. This came after defeating Dublin County rivals University College Dublin (UCD) in the final at the University of Galway Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence in Mayo.
UCD reached the final after a penalty shootout win against a strong TU Dublin side, hoping to claim their first title since 2018. However, DCU DÉ’s dominant defence stifled the UCD attack in the final.
DCU DÉ, who overcame defending champions Ulster University (UU) in extra time of the semi-final, secured a 4-point victory after a cohesive, energetic and slick performance in the all-Dublin derby final.
The Champions dominate the 2025 Team of the Year with seven players earning a spot. Runner’s up UCD cover four spaces, with semi-finalists TU Dublin and UU filling two places each on the star-studded squad.
2025 Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Championship Football Team of the Year
Killian Roche, UCD/Laois
Niall Carolan, TU Dublin/Cavan
Alex Gavin, DCU DÉ/Dublin
Bryan Masterson, DCU DÉ/Longford
Eoghan O’Connor Flanagan, DCU DÉ/Dublin
Fionan O’Brien, UU/Fermanagh
Ciarán Caulfield, DCU DÉ/Meath
Ethan Dunne, DCU DÉ/Dublin
Eoin McEvoy, UU/Derry
Greg McEneaney, DCU DÉ/Dublin
Barry McNulty, UCD/Leitrim
Ryan O’Toole, UCD/Monaghan
Tom Prior, DCU DÉ/Leitrim
Jordan Morris, TU Dublin/Meath
Cormac Egan, UCD/Offaly
This year, Electric Ireland have brought sustainability to the fore of their Camogie and GAA sponsorships, making the switch to sustainable 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. The Rising Star Team of the Year awards will be crafted from the same renewable Beechwood material, showcasing Electric Ireland’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
“My sincere congratulations to each player and their respective institutions on their successes in this season’s Championship and for their well-deserved selection to the Football Team of the Year.,” said GAA President Jarlath Burns.
“The Electric Ireland Higher Education GAA Championships provided immensely enjoyable viewing, thanks to the players’ dedication and talent. Those named in the team are wonderful representatives of their third-level institutions, and we look forward to honouring their accomplishments at a formal event later in the year.”
“It was a pleasure to watch the drama and excitement of college football unfold this season, and we would like to commend all the Rising Stars on this year’s team,” added Robert Crabbe, Sponsorship and PR Manager at Electric Ireland.
“The Sigerson Cup and the #FirstClassRivals campaign exemplify both fierce competition and lasting camaraderie and it has been great to watch county rivals unite to achieve remarkable success with their colleges this football season. Electric Ireland is delighted to support a competition that provides such a valuable experience for these brilliant athletes.”
The Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Hurling Teams of the Year will be announced on March 27th with the Electric Ireland Camogie Third Level Rising Stars Team of the Year previously announced on March 13th.
These awards acknowledge 15 outstanding performances from the Fitzgibbon and Ashbourne Cup this year.
The Players of the Year will be named at an Awards night on March 31st.
Further Reading for Sport for Business Members: Electric Ireland Higher Education Camogie Stars Named
SPORT FOR BUSINESS PERSPECTIVE
A number of these players have already made inter-county breakthroughs, but even as their careers develop, most will look back on their Sigerson days as among the most enjoyable.
WHAT’S UP NEXT?
The Awards night will take place on March 31st.
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