Football All-Stars

Announcing our Danske Bank Ulster Schools All-Stars for 2026👏

1 For the second successive year, a @officialdonegal player is selected between the posts. Lewis McCaughan starred for Abbey VS  Donegal in the Danske Bank MacRory Cup, reaching the final in 2025. The @FourMastersCLG goalkeeper played a crucial role in helping his club win back-to-back Ulster Minor titles.

2 Cian Rafferty of Patrician College, Carrickmacross is selected at corner-back. A consistent performer, Cian has represented Patrician at all levels and played a key role in the school’s @DanskeBank_UK MacLarnon Cup success last year. The @CorduffGAA defender was also a member of the Monaghan Minor team that reached the All-Ireland Final.

3 The second @AbbeyVS player selected is Eoghan O’Neill, who secures the full-back position. Eoghan has represented his school in numerous @DanskeBank_UK competitions and has enjoyed significant success at underage level. He has won County Minor Championship medals and two Ulster Minor medals with @FourMastersCLG , and went on to represent @officialdonegal at both Minor and U20 levels.

4 Completing the full-back line at No. 4 is Eoghan Conway of @MaguircDean Carrickmore. Eoghan captured a Danske Bank McDevitt Cup medal with the school and has also represented his club, St Patrick’s, Greencastle GAA , on @yrone Minor and various underage county squads.

5 The half-back line select begins with Fergus Toale, who produced dazzling displays to help Abbey CBS win the Danske Bank  MacRory Cup for the first time in 20 years. The wing half-back boasts an impressive club medal haul with dromintee gac , enjoying Ulster success at both U16 and U18 levels. Fergus played a central role in that U18 triumph and was duly named Player of the Tournament for his outstanding performances.

6 The second of our Danske Bank MacRory Cup winning players to be selected is centre half-back and team captain, Diarmaid O’Rourke. Diarmaid continues a proud family tradition at Abbey CBS , following in the footsteps of his father Aidan, who was awarded an Ulster Colleges All-Star in 1995. The dromintee gac man having claimed both county and provincial Minor titles with his club. Diarmaid is also a former Queens GAA University Future Star.

7 Completing the half-back line, and making it an all- Abbey CBS selection, is Keelan McEntee at No. 7. Keelan follows proudly in the footsteps of his father Tony, who claimed Ulster Colleges All-Star honours in 1994, 1995 and 1996. The Crossrangers man was a key figure in #CBS’s Danske Bank  MacRory Cup success and featured with the Armagh GAA Minor team that reached both the Ulster and All-Ireland finals.

8 Chris McCullagh claims Lumen Christi second-ever All-Star award, earning selection in midfield following an outstanding season. Chris impressed for the Cathair Dhoire amalgamation, which competed in the Danske Bank MacRory Cup and captured last year’s Ward Cup. The Derry GAA midfielder was also part of the Minor team that achieved All-Ireland glory, representing his club St Mary’s, Banagher.

9 For the third successive year, a member of the Carr family from Four Masters CLG in Donegal collects a  Danske Bank All Star award, with Tomás Carr earning selection at No. 9. The third Abbey VS player to feature on the team, Tomás has been a central figure in his club’s successes over recent seasons and now represents Donegal at U20 level, underlining his continued progression on the county scene.

10 Bringing the St Louis Grammar Kilkeel All-Star count into double figures, Down Minor captain, Ross Austin is selected at wing half-forward. Representing his club Cumann Pheadair Naofa, he will be hoping to follow in his uncles, Liam and Jarlath’s footsteps, as they won All-Ireland medals with Down. Ross has also been selected as a @QueensGAA Future Star.

11 Following a phenomenal display that helped force a replay in the Danske Bank  MacRory Cup final, Liam McGeary of Academy Dungannon earns selection at No. 11. The Moy Tír na nÓg star has helped the school to many successes over the years winning Corn na nÓg and Rannafast cups. Liam is also a previous recipient of the Ulster Schools Player of the Month award.

12 For the first time ever, St Pats Lisburn are represented on the Danske Bank Ulster Schools All Star team, with Dara Campbell completing the half forward line at No. 12. Dara played a key role in his school’s success in both the Mulholland and Cúchulainn Cups. The Casements gac has also represented Aontroim GAA , where he achieved success in the Gerry Reilly Shield final against Fermanagh.

13 The corner-forward position goes to J.J. Higgins whose goal just before half-time helped propel Aquinas GAA to Danske Bank MacLarnon Cup glory this year. Becoming the school’s second All-Star, the Naomh brid clg player, who has won a Minor league and championship, follows in his father’s and grandfather’s footsteps playing inter-county football, as they played for Aontroim GAA and Armagh respectively.

14 Eoin Duffy of St Colmans Newry is selected at full forward, adding a second Danske Bank Ulster Schools All Star award to the family cabinet after his brother Ryan claimed the honour in 2023. Eoin has represented the College at all levels, helping them reach the Oisín McGrath final. The Culloville GAA man was part of the Armagh GAA Minor team that previously reached the All-Ireland and Ulster finals.

15 Corner-forward, Shea Loughran of St. Paul’s Bessbrook picks up the final spot in the 2026 Danske Bank Ulster Schools All-Star Football team and previously helped the Bessbrook men to Rannafast success. The Carrickcruppen man, who won an Intermediate championship with his club, continues a family tradition of representing the Orchard County, as he was Armagh GAA Minor captain. Both his father and grandfather, each named Peter, are former Ulster medallists.

💫The Danske Bank Ulster Schools Football team 💫