NINE Ulster players have been selected on the 2024 Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Football Team of the Year.

Ulster University (UU) took home the Sigerson Cup title for the first time since 2008 after defeating University College Dublin (UCD) in the final at Austin Stack Park, Tralee.

Ulster University had a strong start to the final, quickly scoring three goals to set up a staggering 11-point lead over their Dublin opponents. However, UCD continued to battle until the final whistle sounded, closing the deficit to six points at full-time.

A man of the match performance from Darragh Canavan, with significant contributions from brother Ruairí, ultimately sealed the competition for the Belfast side.

In this year’s Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars 2024 Football Team of the Year, Sigerson Cup Champions, UU, have seven players included on the team. Beaten finalists UCD have five representatives on the team.

Beaten semi-finalists, University of Limerick (UL) feature twice on the team while Maynooth University have a single player included.

2024 Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Football Team of the Year
1. Conor Flaherty (UL, Claregalway & Galway)
2. Mark Dempsey (UL, Moorefield & Kildare)
3. Ryan Magill (UU, Burren & Down)
4. Josh Largo Ellis (UU, Irvinestown & Fermanagh)
5. Donncha Gilmore (UCD, Steelstown & Derry)
6. Ronan Mc Caffrey (UU, Teemore Shamrocks & Fermanagh)
7. Ben Mc Carron (UU, Steelstown & Derry)
8. Jonathan Lynam (UCD, The Downs & Westmeath)
9. Oisín McCann (UU, Killyclogher & Tyrone)
10. Eoghan Frayne (Maynooth, Summerhill & Meath)
11. Dáire Cregg (UCD, Boyle & Roscommon)
12. Aaron Lynch (UCD, Trim & Meath)
13. David Garland (UCD, Donaghmoyne & Monaghan)
14. Niall Loughlin (UU, Greenlough & Derry)
15. Darragh Canavan (UU, Errigal Ciarán & Tyrone)