THERE are players from 12 different schools right across the province included in the seventh McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars football team announced at Tuesday evening’s gala dinner in the Peter Froggatt Centre.
Three schools pick up two awards each.
Lavey’s James Sargent and Eamon Young from Newbridge are the two representing St Mary’s, Magherafelt. Both featured for Derry in their minor football victory over Monaghan in the Ulster Championship at the weekend.
Sargent is a dual player and in Monday evening’s Danske Bank Kirk Cup final he was in direct opposition with another Future Star – Ger Ó Diolúin from Gaelcholáiste Dhoire.
St Rónán’s, Lurgan have two defenders in the team. Both Ross Marsden and James McConville are Clann na nGael club men, with Marsden’s father Diarmuid an All-Ireland senior medallist with Armagh.
The other school with two players in the team is St Malachy’s, Castlewellan. Kilcoo clubmen Barra McEvoy and Ruairí Muldoon pick up the No 11 and 14 jerseys respectively.
The Howlett surname is recognisable in Down football circles. Goalie Niall is a son of former inter-county player Liam and he has been impressive for St Mark’s, Warrenpoint in schools’ competitions.
St Colman’s, Newry Rannafast Cup captain Aaron Haughey is selected at midfield alongside James Sargent. The Crossmaglen Ranger featured in Violet Hill’s MacRory Cup games against Abbey CBS and eventual champions Omagh CBS and is currently playing with Armagh minors.
Aidan O’Rourke, performance sport manager with Queen’s, congratulated the footballers who had made it through to the Future Stars final team.
“We at Queen’s are delighted to continue to support and celebrate the work carried out within Ulster Schools for the promotion of all codes of gaelic games.
“The level of skill and commitment shown by all those who took part in the trials is a tribute to the work being done right across the province and the final 15 have really earned their jersey.”
“There were outstanding candidates all over the field, especially in the final trial and there was plenty of evidence on show that Ulster Schools’ football is in a very strong place in 2023.”
FOOTBALL TEAM
Niall Howlett (St Mark’s, Warrenpoint)
James McConville (St Rónán’s, Lurgan)
James Rafferty (St Joseph’s, Donaghmore)
Dara McKenna (St Colm’s, Draperstown)
Eamon Young (St Mary’s, Magherafelt)
Luke Rafferty (St Louis, Kilkeel)
Ross Marsden (St Rónán’s, Lurgan)
Aaron Haughey (St Colman’s, Newry)
James Sargent (St Mary’s, Magherafelt)
Ger Ó Diolúin (Gaelcholáiste Dhoire)
Barra McEvoy (St Malachy’s, Castlewellan)
Mattie McDermott (St Michael’s, Enniskillen)
Turlough Muldoon (St Patrick’s, Armagh)
Ruairí Madine (St Malachy’s, Castlewellan)
Aaron Quinn (Holy Trinity, Cookstown)
