By Shaun Casey

DEFENDING champions Ulster University will take on ATU Sligo in the opening round of the 2025 Sigerson Cup while Queen’s University and St Mary’s will also lock horns in an all-Belfast clash.

UU defeated UCD last season, thanks to three first half goals, to see them lift the title for the first time in 14 years. QUB lost out to Maynooth at the quarter-final stage last season while St Mary’s exited the competition in round three at the hands of University of Galway.

Barry Dillon will have a strong side to call upon and the UU squad boosts a large number of Ulster representatives. Nine of last year’s team that started the final will be available for the Derry native once again.

Ruairi Canavan, fresh off the back of helping Errigal Ciaran win the Ulster SFC title, hitting -16 in the campaign, is part of the named squad as is Eoin McElholm, one of the Red Hands most exciting prospects.

Donegal’s Ciaran Moore, who was nominated for Young Footballer of the Year in 2024, is part of the UU panel, as are Down trio Danny Magill, Odhran Murdock and last year’s Sigerson winning captain Ryan Magill.

Other county men included in the Ulster squad are Fermanagh’s Josh Largo Ellis and Ronan McCaffrey along with Michael Hamill and Gary Mohan of Monaghan. Derry defender Eoin McEvoy, who has got the eye of the AFL, has also been named.

Queen’s University Belfast, managed by Down All-Ireland winner Conor Deegan, head into the campaign in search of their first Sigerson Cup glory since 2007.

They will be able to call upon All-Ireland winning defender Peter McGrane, who started all of Armagh’s games last season bar the All-Ireland final. Down’s Patrick McCarthy and Ruairi Forbes of Derry are other notable names in their squad.

St Mary’s will once again be led by Armagh native Gavin McGilly, and the 2017 Sigerson Cup winners have named Young Footballer of the Year and All-Star attacker Oisin Conaty in their panel.

He’s joined by his county teammates Shea Magill and Daniel Magee, who helped Clann Eireann win this year’s Armagh SFC. Tyrone’s Seanie O’Donnell and Finn Murdock of Down are part of the St Mary’s squad while Monaghan’s Ryan O’Toole will play for UCD.

Check out our analysis and reaction from Errigal Ciaran’s win over Kilcoo.