Leitrim's Paul Keaney named on Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Team of the Year

The performances of St Mary’s Kiltoghert and Leitrim star Paul Keaney for the University of Limerick in this year’s Sigerson Cup has seen him win recognition after he was named on the 2023 Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Football Team of the Year.

Keaney, who lined out at midfield last Sunday for Andy Moran’s Leitrim Senior team against, Laois was named at midfield after his UL team suffered an extra-time defeat at the hands of UCC in the Sigerson Cup Final at the SETU Waterford Arena in February.

Champions UCC lead the way with six players included while beaten finalists UL have five representatives on the team. Beaten semi-finalists DCU DÉ and TU Dublin each have two players represented.  

Leitrim have to concentrate on own performance against Sligo warns Moran after euphoric Laois win

The 2023 Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Football Team of the Year is as follows:

1. Dylan Foley – UCC, Éire Óg, Cork 
2. Páraic Hughes – DCU DÉ, Kilanerin, Wexford 
3. Daniel O’Mahony – UCC, Knocknagree, Cork 
4. Jack Coyne – UL, Ballyhaunis, Mayo 
5. Cian Hanley – TU Dublin, Ballaghaderreen, Mayo 
6. Darragh Cashman – UL, Millstreet, Cork 
7. Shane Merritt – UCC, Mallow, Cork 
8. Bill Carroll – DCU DÉ, Cappincur, Offaly 
9. Paul Keaney – UL, St. Mary’s Kiltoghert, Leitrim 
10. Emmet McMahon – UL, Kildysart, Clare 
11. Ruairí Murphy – UCC, Listry, Kerry 
12. Mark Cronin – UCC, Nemo Rangers, Cork 
13. Cathail O’Mahony – UCC, Mitchelstown, Cork 
14. Darragh Campion – TU Dublin, Skryne, Meath 
15. Ciaran Downes – UL, Kilmihil, Clare 

GAA President Larry McCarthy said “We would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to the players recognised in this year’s Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Football Team of the Year. We have been thrilled by the tremendous football talent that we have seen throughout the season and look forward to celebrating the players’ and teams’ achievements at a formal ceremony later in the year.” 

Announcing the Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Football Team of the Year for 2023! Follow the thread below to see which players made the cut for the final 15 #FirstClassRivals pic.twitter.com/AThO9ixLLK

— Electric Ireland (@ElectricIreland) March 20, 2023

Sarah Sharkey, Group Sponsorship & PR Manager Electric Ireland, commented: “We are delighted to announce the 2023 Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Football Team of the Year and are looking forward to paying tribute to these players’ performances at the annual Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Awards Ceremony, taking place next month. It is a huge honour to be able to lend our support to these Higher Education Championships each year, made even more so by the incredible commitment demonstrated by these players and institutions, and we would like to offer our congratulations to the players who have been recognised today.” 

Leitrim fans celebrate vital victory over Laois in the rain - GALLERY

Leitrim fans wildly celebrated in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada as two injury time points from Mark Plunkett and Keith Beirne kept the Green & Gold's Allianz NFL Division 4 promotion hopes alive thanks to a 2-14 to 0-18 victory over Laois on Sunday. Observer photographer Willie Donnellan captured some great photos of the fans celebrating and during the match ..... see who you can spot!

Leitrim fans wildly celebrated in Avant Money Pairc Sean Mac Diarmada as two injury time points from Mark Plunkett and Keith Beirne kept the Green & Gold's Allianz NFL Division 4 promotion hopes alive thanks to a 2-14 to 0-18 victory over Laois on Sunday. Observer photographer Willie Donnellan captured some great photos of the fans celebrating and during the match ..... see who you can spot!

This year’s Electric Ireland’s #FirstClassRivals campaign continued to celebrate the unexpected alliances that were formed by County rivals coming together in pursuit of some of the most coveted titles in the GAA. 

The Electric Ireland Higher Education GAA Rising Star Hurling and Football Player of the Year being announced at the Higher Education Awards Ceremony on Monday, 3rd April. These awards will acknowledge one outstanding performance from this year’s Fitzgibbon and Sigerson Cup Championships.