Leeside quartet made the grade in higher-education hurling team
Jack Leahy, who scored 3-18 during UL's successful Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup campaign. Picture: Piaras Ó Mídheach/Sportsfile
Four Cork players – representing four different colleges – have been included in the 2025 Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Hurling Team of The Year.
Of a total of ten counties represented, Cork lead the way in terms of players, with Limerick and Kilkenny the others to have more than one.
Jack Leahy, who scored 3-18 across five matches as the University of Limerick claimed the Fitzgibbon Cup for the third time in four years and the eighth in ten, is named at left corner-forward on the team.
The Dungourney man is one of seven players chosen from the champions’ victorious side, while the two Cork colleges in the Fitz each have one selection.
Both UCC and MTU Cork reached the semi-finals of the competition, losing to DCU Dóchas Éireann and UL respectively. Ciarán Doolan of St Finbarr’s put in a series of strong displays in defence as UCC topped a tough group featuring UCD, the University of Galway and MTU and he is picked at number 2.
The other corner-back slot is also occupied by a Leesider, with Darragh O’Sullivan of Ballinhassig recognised for his excellent displays, which came in tandem with his inclusion in Pat Ryan’s Cork senior squad.
The fourth Cork player is Dáire O’Leary, who was instrumental as Garda College claimed the second-tier Ryan Cup. While O’Leary was outstanding in the half-back line for his club Watergrasshill and divisional side Imokilly as they won the Cork Premier IHC and Premier SHC respectively last year, he operated further up the field for Garda and takes the centre-forward spot on the team of the year.
Beaten finalists DCU are rewarded with five inclusions in the team.
This year, Electric Ireland have brought sustainability to the fore of their camogie and GAA sponsorships, making the switch to sustainable awards. Over the course of the season, a total of 25 Player of the Match Awards were presented across all competitions including the Ashbourne, Sigerson, and Fitzgibbon Cups. The Rising Star Team of the Year Awards will be crafted from the same renewable beechwood material, showcasing Electric Ireland's commitment to environmental responsibility.
Darach Fahy (UL/Galway); Ciarán Doolan (UCC/Cork), Paddy Langton (DCU DÉ/Kilkenny), Darragh O’Sullivan (MTU/Cork); Pádraic Moylan (DCU DÉ/Kilkenny), Mark Fitzgerald, (UL/Waterford), Colin Coughlan (UL/Limerick ); Donal Shirley (DCU DÉ/Offaly), Adam English (UL/Limerick); Gearóid O’Connor (UL/Tipperary), Dáire O’Leary (Garda College/Cork), Patrick Crotty (UL/Clare); Joe Flanagan (DCU DÉ/Dublin), Cian Boran (DCU DÉ/Kildare), Jack Leahy (UL/Cork).
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