FIVE Ulster players have been named in the Electric Education GAA Rising Stars 2020 football team of the year, with Monaghan’s David Garland winning the best player award.
The Donaghmoyne Fontenoys clubman was joined on the team of the year by five of his DCU team-mates who swept to Sigerson glory at the end of January.
Garland scored a total of 1-14 in Sigerson and rounded off his campaign with four magnificent points from play and a man-of-the-match display in the final against IT Carlow.
Garland was hugely influential for the Glasnevin college alongside county team-mate Michael Brannigan who also had a brilliant season. Both Garland and Brannigan were called into Seamus McEnaney’s county senior panel in 2020.
Donegal were well represented by defender Brendan McCole, Peadar Mogan and Michael Langan earning spots on the team.
In total, DCU netted five berths with Evan Comerford – Stephen Cluxton’s understudy – Carlow’s Jordan Morrissey and Shane McCarthy included.
The Higher Education Committee were forced to cancel the Rising Stars Awards Ceremony due to Covid-19 but they are committed to recognising the winners at a later date.
Electric Education GAA Rising Stars 2020 Football Team of the Year: Evan Comerford (DCU); Brendan McCole (DCU), Mike Breen (UCD), Niall Hughes (IT Carlow); Ray Connellan (UCD), Jordan Morrissey (DCU), Trevor Collins (IT Carlow); Shane Carthy (DCU), Michael Langan (LYIT), Padraig O’Toole (IT Carlow), Mícheál Bannigan (DCU), Peadar Mogan (LYIT); David Garland (DCU), Gavin O’Brien (CIT), Cian Farrell (IT Carlow)
