1) UIster University - 9/4
A first Sigerson Cup in 16 years saw Ulster University rewarded with seven men on the 2024 team of the year.
Of those, Killyclogher midfielder Oisín McCann and Fermanagh’s Josh Largo Ellis and Ronan McCaffrey are all that remain. Darragh Canavan is among those to have moved on, although younger brother Ruairí remains part of the 35-man panel.
GAA/GPA Young Player of the Year nominee Ciarán Moore is amongst the reigning champions options in the backline, with Tyrone’s Eoin McElholm another big name having starred in AFL trials back in September but opting to stick with Malachy O’Rourke’s charges for 2025.
Another breakthrough star in the shape of Derry’s Eoin McEvoy will be one of UU’s star players, and he is joined by Oak Leaf attackers Charlie Diamond and Niall O’Donnell.
The latter will likely be absent this week as Ballinderry prepare for the AIB All-Ireland IFC club final against Jordan Flynn’s Crossmolina this weekend.
Monaghan’s Michael Hamill could be one to watch, fresh from 1-2 in The Farney’s win over Mayo at the weekend, with county teammate Gary Mohan also in the UU squad.
Mohan is joined by his Truagh colleague Louis Kelly off the back of a successful Monaghan Intermediate club campaign, with Kelly now part of Gabriel Bannigan’s extended intercounty squad.
And amongst a host of other stars is Down ace Odhran Murdock, a man who looks well suited to the adopted FRC rules, although they will not apply to the third-level competition.
At a glance, the holders look good value to retain their title, though IT Sligo (now ATU) were the last side to retain the trophy way back in 2005.
ATU Sligo are ironically the first obstacle in their path to glory.
2) UCD - 3/1
UCD are second favourites for the cup they last took to south Dublin in 2018, with Jack Barry, Conor McCarthy and Con O’Callaghan among their stars seven years ago.
Two Rossies in the form of Daire Cregg and Ben O’Carroll will lead their attack this time. Cregg is another man who made the 2024 Team of the Year, while O’Carroll will not have to juggle his commitments like he did last year with St Brigid’s run to the AIB All-Ireland SFC club final.
His club teammate Bobby Nugent is another panellist for the Belfield-based side, having captained the Roscommon U20s last year.
Three of UCD’s panel could well have decisions to make however, with Peter Duffy, David O’Dowd and Charlie McMorrow all due to face Coolera-Strandhill in the rearranged All-Ireland semi-final.
The first of the three could be a name to watch, particularly with Brian Fenton’s retirement, with Duffy notching a crucial goal in the Leinster semi-final against Tullamore.
Monaghan defender Ryan O’Toole will be eager for action after a disappointing end to the club campaign with Scotstown, and he will be joined at the back by classy Mayo operator Sam Callinan.
Cormac Egan could be an ace in the UCD pack, with the Offaly man looking to kick on from The Faithful’s All-Ireland U20 success a few years ago.
There’s a good reason the Dublin outfit are second favourites, but they will be hampered if their Cuala stars are missing beyond this week.
A tricky away fixture to UCC awaits them in their opener.
3) University of Galway - 11/2
Canice Mulligan of Sligo club St Patrick’s could be a breakthrough star of the Sigerson Cup, having come onto the national radar for both his footballing ability and a rousing speech after Sligo won an unlikely U20 Connacht title in 2023.
Eoin Finnerty, Cian Hernon, Liam Ó'Conghaile and Cillian Ó Curraoin are amongst a host of established Tribesmen hoping to claim this title for the first time since a David Clifford inspired UL were denied by Matthew Tierney and Tomo Culhane amongst others.
Colin Murray, back from a summer of football in Chicago, is one of the remaining stars to have won this title in 2022.
His presence at the back will give the Westerners real assurance, and with 22 of their 35-man panel from Galway, they should gel early doors. Offaly’s Rory Egan is another safe option in defence.
Mayo’s Ryan O’Donoghue will be their main man up front once again. He looked sharp as ever in searing behind the Monaghan defence for a goal in the weekend’s challenge match in Castlebar.
Dylan Geaney will be another real asset, with Dingle’s run to the Munster final last year largely due to the Kerry star’s proficiency in front of goal.
Mark McInerney of Clare will also have a hand up front. The 23-year-old has shown his abilities from play and as a free taker with club side Éire Óg and the Clare U20s a few years back.
University of Galway could be dark horses, and they should they set off their campaign with a win against TU Dublin on Tuesday.
4) University College Cork - 13/2
Interestingly the entire UCC squad of 35 is composed of just Cork and Kerry stars, with 15 from the Kingdom and the remainder representing their home university.
Having been in a Sigerson drought between 1995 and 2012, manager Billy Morgan led the side to four titles in 12 seasons, having himself turned 78 by the time UCC won the most recent of those titles in 2023.
Morgan is once again part of the backroom team, with selector Paul O’Keeffe another leading figure behind the scenes.
UCC are the in-form side, having beaten DCU 0-21 2-13 in the Ryan Cup league final in early December.
Cathal Ó Beaglaoich of An Ghaeltacht in Dingle was among the stars of the Sigerson-winning side two years ago, with namesake and clubmate Ruaidhrí joining him on the 2025 panel.
Cian McMahon, a goalscorer against Dingle in the Kerry SFC final in September, is another who will be balancing club duties for now at least, as Dr Crokes take a slight favourite’s tag into their battle with Errigal Ciarán.
Ballincollig’s Darragh O’Mahony is another to keep an eye out for, having starred for UCC’s freshers a few years back.
With form and some Cork-Kerry chemistry on their side, UCC look good to start fast, but their challenge could fade in the latter stages given the lack of intercounty experience.
5) University of Limerick - 15/2
Former Meath U20 goalkeeper Billy Hogan will battle with Clare’s Tristan O’Callaghan for a spot between the posts in a UL squad that features a mix of ten different counties.
And another Banner man in the shape of intercounty midfielder Brian McNamara could stamp his authority over this campaign, with many in Clare feeling he could fill the void left by retiree Gary Brennan in recent years.
On paper, there aren’t as many standout names as their 2022 runners-up squad that featured Mayo’s Eoghan McLaughlin, Cork’s Seán Powter, Clare’s Emmett McMahon and Kerry’s David Clifford amongst others.
The likes of Paul Towey has gone from strength to strength since, and this year fellow Mayo man Frank Irwin could do something similar, having won man-of-the-match in last February’s semi-final against DCU.
Defender Daire McDaid will likely be given some of the more challenging man-marking roles, with the Tullamore man tigerish in defence for the Offaly U20′s in 2023.
The sole Limerick man in the squad is Cormac Woulfe, who had a breakthrough year with The Treaty’s U20 side in 2024.
Cork star Darragh Cashman will likely line out at wing-back, having overcome injury issues to feature prominently for his club Millstreet in the Cork Premier JFC.
ATU Galway, formerly GMIT, provide UL’s opening opposition on Wednesday.