THERE are three players each from Danske Bank MacRory Cup champions Abbey CBS Newry and Abbey Vocational school in Donegal town in the Danske Bank All-star football team for 2026 announced on Tuesday.
The MacRory Cup champions fill out the half-back line with Fergus Toale, Diarmaid O’Rourke and Keelan McEntee, the latter pair following their fathers in picking up the coveted awards now in their 38th year.
Future All-Ireland football winners with Armagh Aidan O’Rourke and Tony McEntee were also students in Abbey CBS when they collected their accolades in 1995 with Tony also capturing awards in 1994 and 1996.
Although Tony’s twin John didn’t manage to pick up an award, Aidan’s brothers Cathal and Martin did.
All three new All-stars were outstanding as Abbey took the MacRory Cup back to the school for the first time in two decades following a replay with St Patrick’s Academy Dungannon.
Fergus and Diarmaid were also coming off a busy season that yielded county and provincial minor titles for their club Dromintee.
MacRory Cup champions Abbey CBS have won three Ulster Schools’ Football All-Stars (OLIVER MC VEIGH)
Meanwhile, a member of the Carr family has been included in the team for the third year running.
Up until 2024, Peadar Mogan was the only player from Abbey Vocational Donegal town to receive a football award.
In the last three teams announced we have had Senan, Turlough and Tomás Carr, Kevin Muldoon and Conor McCahill with goalie Lewis McCaughan and defender Eoghan O’Neill along with Tomás Carr in the 2026 selection.
Losing MacRory Cup finalists St Patrick’s Academy have Liam McGeary named in the forward line.
The Moy Tír nan Óg clubman was in scintillating form in the first half of the drawn final, scoring five points from play inside nine minutes.
Liam McGeary of St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon, celebrates in front of the fans after scoring a point in the MacRory Cup Final at Athletic grounds Armagh. PICTURE: Oliver McVeigh
There are nine schools picking up one All-star each – including St Patrick’s Lisburn who have an award winner for the very first time.
Dara Campbell, who has recently transferred club allegiance from Aldergrove to Portglenone has won their first All-star after helping them to a Mulholland Cup and two Corn Cúchulainn titles.
Another Antrim club player to make his mark this season is JJ Higgins whose goal just before half-time in the Danske Bank MacLarnon Cup final at the Dub propelled Aquinas Grammar to a first title and into the MacRory Cup for the first time.
It’s only the school’s second All-star; the first was Dónal McKeever 13 years ago. Higgins’ father and grandfather both played inter-county football, for Antrim and Armagh respectively.
Lumen Christi is another school picking up its second ever All-star through midfielder Ruairí McCullagh who was also in great form for the Cathair Dhoire amalgamation that played in the MacRory Cup.
Ben McCarron was the first All-star for the Derry seat of learning back in 2019.
It’s also been a while since St Louis Kilkeel was included in the selections. However current Down minor captain Ross Austin is included in the forward line less than a week after picking up a Queens Future Star accolade as a defender.
Eoin Duffy, a student in St Colman’s College, Newry, is following in his brother Ryan’s footsteps.
The elder of the Culloville brothers was centre-half back in the 2023 team and has progressed to the Armagh senior panel.
Just out the road Shea Loughran in St Paul’s Bessbrook also comes from a family who have represented the Orchard county at senior level. His father and grandfather, both named Peter, are both Ulster medallists.
Armagh have five players in the team and Donegal three, while there are two each for Tyrone and Antrim with Down, Monaghan and Derry picking up the others.
The players selected will collect their All-star awards at a Gala Dinner in the Crowne Plaza Hotel Belfast this Friday evening.
Jimmy Smyth, chairman of Ulster schools’ GAA, said:
“Congratulations to all of our young footballers and hurlers who have been selected this year as Ulster Schools’ All Stars, joining a long list of talented players, many of whom have made and are still making waves in the world of GAA.
“I note also that there are second generation and older brothers who are previous winners in both codes, demonstrating that those parents or older siblings have undoubtedly been role models for the boys here today.
“However one of the most pleasing aspects of the selection process is seeing new schools, such as St Patrick’s Lisburn, pick up a first All-star.
“We express once again our gratitude to our sponsors Danske Bank for their continued support of our games at all levels and indeed their involvement in our All-Star scheme.”
Danske Bank All-star football team:
Lewis McCaughan (Abbey Vocational, Donegal)Cian Rafferty (Patrician High, Carrickmacross)Eoghan O’Neill (Abbey Vocational, Donegal)Eoghan Conway (Dean Maguirc, Carrickmore)Fergus Toale (Abbey CBS, Newry)Diarmaid O’Rourke (Abbey CBS, Newry)Keelan McEntee (Abbey CBS, Newry)Chris McCullagh (Lumen Christi, Derry)Tomás Carr (Abbey Vocational, Donegal)Ross Austin (St Louis, Kilkeel)Liam McGeary (St Patrick’s, Dungannon)Dara Campbell (St Patrick’s, Lisburn)JJ Higgins (Aquinas Grammar)Eoin Duffy (St Colman’s, Newry)Shea Loughran (St Paul’s, Bessbrook)