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24 Mar 2026
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24 Mar 2026
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Louisburgh's Gráinne Gavin was crucial as TU Dublin secured their first ever O'Connor Cup win. Pic: Sportsfile.
Mayo LGFA is proud to celebrate the outstanding achievements of its players following the announcement of the 2026 Higher Education Colleges (HEC) All-Star and Rising Star Teams of the Year.
Gráinne Gavin (Louisburgh LGFA) has been named at full-back on the prestigious HEC All-Star Team, in recognition of her exceptional performances for TU Dublin. Gavin played a pivotal role in TU Dublin’s historic first-ever O’Connor Cup triumph this year, delivering consistently dominant displays throughout the campaign.
In addition, three Mayo players have been recognised on the HEC Rising Stars Team of the Year, highlighting the remarkable depth of talent within the county. Saoirse Delaney (Aghamore), Ciara Nyland (Davitts), and Leah Conway (Parke/Keelogues/Crimlin) have all been honoured for their impressive contributions at collegiate level.
Ciara Nyland and Saoirse Delaney were both part of the ATU Galway side that reached the Moynihan Cup final, where they were narrowly defeated by South East Technological University (SETU Carlow). Ciara captained the ATU side this year and despite the one point loss, Saoirse Delaney delivered an exceptional performance and was deservedly named Player of the Match, underlining her significant impact on the game.
Leah Conway (Coventry) also delivered a superb player of the match performance while securing victory in the inaugural International Lagan Cup Final, marking another significant milestone during this year’s HEC competitions.
These awards underline the strength and quality of Mayo players competing in higher education football and reflect the commitment, dedication, and skill they continue to demonstrate on the national stage.
READ MORE: Two Mayo players named in GAA Team of The Week
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