Three Mayo players named in Higher Education Team of The Year

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.

Amongst the team of the year are three Mayo students who excelled throughout the season. Westport’s Conal Dawson, Castlebar Mitchels’ Séan Morahan and Moy Davitts’ Cian McHale were all part of the winning University of Limerick side who claimed their first ever Sigerson Cup win when they overcame University College Cork. The 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.

The full Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Football Team of the Year is as follows:

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).

In attack is 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) and Ciaran Santry (University College Cork and Carbery Rangers, Cork).

READ MORE: Mayo kick off U-20 championship campaign with narrow victory in Sligo