Limerick hurling's rising stars to the fore in Fitzgibbon Cup Team of the Year

Seven UL players and four from Mary Immaculate College are included after the all-Limerick decider at Croke Park

DOMINANT: UL players, from left, Cathal O’Neill, Adam English, Aidan O’Connor and Colin Coughlan pose with the Fitzgibbon Cup at Croke Park last month. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile

A clutch of the most promising hurlers at inter-county level backbone the Electric Ireland Higher Education Hurling Championship Team of the Year, including Limerick's Colin Coughlan, Adam English, Aidan O'Connor and Shane O'Brien.

Offaly tyro Adam Screeny, Clare's Jack O'Neill, Mark Fitzgerald from Waterford and Tipp All-Ireland winner Sam O'Farrell were also included in the Fitzgibbon Cup All-Star 15.

Seven hurlers from champions UL were selected as well as four from runners-up Mary I, while two each from University of Galway and DCU Dóchas Éireann feature.

Croke Park, which had not hosted the competition for four decades, provided the iconic setting for the memorable final that brought a momentous hurling season to its conclusion. This historic occasion saw University of Limerick take on city rivals Mary Immaculate College in an exciting, high-scoring and free-flowing contest. UL's outstanding championship form proved decisive, as they secured their 10th Fitzgibbon Cup. 

This triumph further cemented their legacy with an impressive fourth win in five seasons, and their second consecutive championship victory.

UL’s championship pedigree shone brightly, dominating proceedings with a final score of 4-31 to MICL’s 3-21. UL’s victory was spearheaded by impressive individual displays, notably from Limerick’s Cathal O’Neill, who tallied seven points, Tipperary’s Darragh McCarthy with eight points, and Cork native Jack Leahy, who contributed a significant 1-5. 

Adam English and Jack O’Neill also found the net, showcasing the potency of UL’s attack. Despite a valiant effort from MICL, led superbly by Shane O’Brien with 1-12, UL’s clinical play and relentless attack proved decisive.

Cork's Seamus Harnedy tussles with Tipperary's Sam O'Farrell last summer. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

2026 Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Hurling Team of the Year:

Liam Hoare, University of Galway and Carrig & Riverstown, Offaly; 

Cian Scully, Mary Immaculate College Limerick and Dromin Athlacca, Limerick,

Mark Fitzgerald, University of Limerick and Passage, Waterford,

Daniel O'Meara, Dublin City University Dóchas Éireann and Maynooth, Kildare;

Killian Doyle, University of Limerick and Emeralds, Kilkenny,

Colin Coughlan, University of Limerick and Ballybrown, Limerick, 

Jimmy Quilty, Mary Immaculate College Limerick and Blackrock, Limerick; 

Adam English, University of Limerick and Doon, Limerick, 

Jack O'Neill, University of Limerick and Clooney Quin, Clare; 

Sam O'Farrell, University of Galway and Nenagh Éire Óg, Tipperary, 

Aidan O'Connor, University of Limerick and Ballybrown, Limerick,

Denis Walsh, Dublin City University Dóchas Éireann and Dunnamaggin, Kilkenny;

Adam Screeney, University of Limerick and Kilcormac Killoughey, Offaly,

Shane O'Brien, Mary Immaculate College Limerick and Kilmallock, Limerick,

Oisín O'Farrell, Mary Immaculate College Limerick and Askeaton/Ballysteen/Kilcornan, Limerick.

Uachtarán CLG, Jarlath Burns, said: "My congratulations go to every hurler who has been selected for this year's Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Hurling Team of the Year. 

These young athletes embody the spirit of the championships, showcasing incredible dedication in balancing their demanding academic studies with their performances on the field. 

"The 2026 Electric Ireland Higher Education Hurling Championships themselves provided a truly memorable season, marked by a historic return to Croke Park for the final and a consistently exceptionally high standard of play throughout. We eagerly await the upcoming awards ceremony to celebrate their achievements formally.”