It has been a fruitful week for St Malachy’s Castlewellan’s pair Brendan McKay and Conor McAnulty.
Their Queen’s University Future Star awards come quickly on the heels of their school capturing the Danske Bank Rafferty Cup at the Dub on Tuesday night.
The only other school with a double representation of Future Stars are St Ronan’s Lurgan, for whom both Andrew McAlinden and Adam Loughran feature in defence.
The selection panel had a very tough task in naming the Future Stars awards winners.
The awards recognise players competing for their schools within the Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ Year twelve competitions from ‘A’ to ‘D’ grades and were selected after a trial process across three days at The Dub.
“If the quality and competitiveness of the football we had the pleasure of watching is an indicator of the next wave of footballers coming through in Ulster then we can look forward to some exciting Ulster Schools competitions over the next couple of years,” said James McCartan, chairman of the selection committee.
The selected team is as follows: Lorcan Quinn (St Patrick’s Academy); Eoghan Daly (St Louis, Ballymena); Iarlaith Donaghy (St Pius X, Magherafelt); Andrew McAlinden (St Ronan’s, Lurgan); Brendan McKay (St Malachy’s, Castlewellan); Adam Loughran (St Ronan’s, Lurgan); Gavin Brady (St Patrick’s, Cavan); Jamie Martin (Abbey CBS); Callum Brown(St Mary’s Limavady); Sean Jones (Patrician HS, Carrickmacross); Conor McAnulty (St Malachy’s, Castlewellan); Ben McCarron (Lumen Christi);
Fergal Mortimer (St Columb’s, Derry); Conor O’Donnell (St Eunan’s, Letterkenny); Ryan Hughes (St Paul’s Bessbrook)
Sean McGourty on behalf of the Ulster Schools Committee, added: “This scheme, initiated by the Queen’s University GAA Academy is a wonderful opportunity to recognise some of the rising stars in our games.
“We are delighted once again to work closely with Queen’s and Danske Bank to raise the profile of our players and competitions.”
St Mary’s Limavady’s Callum Brown made a big impression on selectors and features at midfield on the “Future Stars” team.
Callum looks to have a big future as an athlete as he is already on Linfield’s books and features strongly in the mix for Danske Bank Ulster Schools’ MacRory Cup All Stars as well.
Corner back Eoghan Daly comes from sporting stock as his father Peter represented his native Roscomman at all levels and won a Sigerson Cup with UUJ.
In addition, his mother Bernie (Quinn) played Camogie for Antrim and netball for Northern Ireland.
Aidan O’Rourke, who oversees the development of Gaelic Games at the University, outlined why Queen’s initiated this scheme.
“Queen’s University is focused on developing and rewarding excellence as demonstrated by the “Future Stars”.
There is a clear performance pathway for all aspiring players in Ulster through the Ulster Schools competitions,’’ he said.
We hope that these awards will provide recognition for the ambition and determination shown by these young athletes.”
The award winners will be honoured with a dinner at Queen’s University’s “Great Hall” on Monday December 19 and will receive unique Queen’s playing kits.
The team selected for the 2016 Danske Bank Queen’s University Future Stars is as follows:Lorcan Quinn (St Patrick’s Academy); Eoghan Daly(St Louis, Ballymena); Iarlaith Donaghy (St Pius X, Magherafelt); Andrew McAlinden (St Ronan’s, Lurgan); Brendan McKay (St Malachy’s, Castlewellan); Adam Loughran (St Ronan’s, Lurgan); Gavin Brady (St Patrick’s, Cavan); Jamie Martin (Abbey CBS); Callum Brown(St Mary’s Limavady); Sean Jones (Patrician HS, Carrickmacross); Conor McAnulty (St Malachy’s, Castlewellan); Ben McCarron (Lumen Christi); Fergal Mortimer (St Columb’s, Derry); Conor O’Donnell (St Eunan’s, Letterkenny); Ryan Hughes (St Paul’s Bessbrook)
