Recognition for Mayo player after LGFA higher education competitions
Aghamore and Mayo LGFA player Saoirse Delaney has been named on the HEC Rising Stars team following this year's third level competitions.
Saoirse – a recent winner in The Connaught Telegraph Mayo Young Sports Stars Awards – played a big role as ATU Galway annexed the Donaghy Cup this season.
The 2025 higher education competitions concluded at Queen’s University in Belfast over the weekend of March 13 to 15, and the All-Stars and Rising Stars selections honour the very best performers throughout.
Seven pieces of silverware were handed out across three memorable days, with DCU Dóchas Éireann capturing the flagship O’Connor Cup for a third successive year.
DCU DÉ also captured the Moynihan Cup and HEC Cup to make it a hat trick of titles, and their success is reflected in the Rising Stars team (which recognises the contribution of players across the HEC, Lagan, Donaghy and Moynihan Cups). They lead the way on the Rising Stars selection, which features five from the Moynihan Cup team and one from the HEC Cup team.
ATU Galway, meanwhile, have three players included, with two each from Lagan Cup winners University of Limerick 5 and Moynihan Cup finalists TU Dublin CC, and one each from Marino Institute of Education and TUS Midwest.
It’s DCU DÉ who lead the way on the HEC All-Star team as well, with six players included. UCC were beaten finalists once again but there is some consolation for them as they have five players included on the team of the year, while there are three places on the team for players from Giles Cup winners Mary Immaculate College, Limerick. The selection is completed by one representative from Lynch Cup winners MTU Cork.
The winners, including Saoirse, will receive their awards at a ceremony at the Bonnington Dublin Hotel on Friday (March 28).
LGFA President Trina Murray commented: “Well done to all recipients of 2025 Ladies HEC All-Star and Rising Stars awards. I was present at Queen’s University to witness some brilliant football over the course of finals weekend. 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.”
Ladies HEC chairperson Daniel Caldwell added: “With over 2,200 registered players and 68 teams playing across seven divisions, to be recognised with an award is a significant achievement.”
The 2025 HEC Rising Stars selection in full is as follows: Emily Hevey (DCU Dóchas Éireann 4); Rachel McIntyre (Marino Institute of Education), Riane McGrath (DCU Dóchas Éireann 4), Kelli McGrath (ATU Galway); Caoimhe Boyle (DCU Dóchas Éireann 4), Heather Spillane (TUS Midwest), Claire O’Donohoe (University of Limerick 5); Áine Smith (DCU Dóchas Éireann 4), Brigid O’Reilly (TU Dublin CC); Saoirse Delaney (ATU Galway), Shannon Russell (TU Dublin CC), Aisling Costelloe (ATU Galway); Sarah Boyd (DCU Dóchas Éireann 7), Ciara Dowd (University of Limerick 5), Niamh McCorry (DCU Dóchas Éireann 4).
The 2025 HEC All-Stars team is: Robyn Murray (DCU Dóchas Éireann); Niamh Donlon (DCU Dóchas Éireann), Eve Power (University College Cork), Dara Kiniry (University College Cork); Sarah Reynolds (DCU Dóchas Éireann), Aoife Healy (University College Cork), Aoife Dillane (Mary Immaculate College Limerick); Hannah McGinnis (DCU Dóchas Éireann), Katie O’Driscoll (Munster Technological University Cork); Clodagh Lohan (DCU Dóchas Éireann), Lydia McDonagh (Mary Immaculate College Limerick), Emma Duggan (DCU Dóchas Éireann); Emily Lacey (University College Cork), Emma Morrissey (University College Cork), Rachel Dwyer (Mary Immaculate College Limerick).