Football

Armagh’s Oisin Conaty wins inaugural Rising Star Award at Irish News Ulster All-Stars

Portadown man was a key component of his county’s All-Ireland success

Oisin Conaty carrying a ball
Armagh forward Oisin Conaty has won the RIsing Star Award at the 2024 Irish News Ulster All-Star awards

Armagh’s Oisin Conaty has won the inaugural Rising Star Award at this year’s Irish News Ulster All-Stars on Friday night.

Newly-introduced for 2024, the Rising Star Award recognises the player who has made the most significant breakthrough in the past 12 months, as chosen by the Irish News Editor Chris Sherrard.

Conaty received the award at Friday night’s award ceremony in the ICC Belfast, capping a memorable for himself and his county.

The former Northern Ireland schoolboy soccer international chose Gaelic football two years ago and lit it up this summer.



His man-of-the-match display in the All-Ireland final came on top of an outstanding afternoon in the Ulster final too, where he penned Ryan McHugh back and tracked him with real diligence.

The Portadown man tore into Roscommon and really hurt them in the quarter-final and then after a dip against Kerry, he took advantage of a switch of wings in the final.

His confidence was up after his first score and he never looked back.

Frighteningly quick and with youth on his side, he’s sure to play a big part in his county’s fortunes for years to come.