After a close Ashbourne Cup last month ended with UL pipping UCC by the finest of margins in a 3-10 to 2-11 thriller, the 2025 Electric Ireland Camogie Third Level Rising Stars Team of the Year has now been unveiled.
UL's Áine Keane was named Rising Star Player of the Year, and her defensive acumen was definitely one of the core reasons they took home the Ashbourne Cup this time around.
Apart from being a major backbone in ensuring that her team did not give away points, Keane was also able to step up and score in vital moments, namely in the cup final, when she boosted UL's lead to the two-point cushion which clinched their victory. A fitting end to a stunning season.
We had the honour to speak to Keane after she was named Player of the Match in the Ashbourne Cup final.
🗣️"When I heard the news last night, and I came out here today I said to myself, 'we're in a privileged to be in a position to play this game we love. And he did that so well."@GalwayCamogie96 and @StThomassHC star Aine Keane was named Player of the Match in the… pic.twitter.com/KymHezJ45O
— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) February 9, 2025
She is joined by seven of her teammates to take a UL majority in this year's Team of the Year
Here is the list in full:
- Caoimhe Buckley, UCC & Cork
- Orla O’Keeffe, TU Dublin & Kilkenny
- Sharon Shanahan, UL & Offaly
- Méabh Murphy, UCC & Cork
- Claire Gannon, TU Dublin & Dublin
- Áine Keane, UL & Galway
- Jennifer Hughes, UL & Galway
- Sarah Corcoran, UL & Tipperary
- Saoirse McCarthy, TU Dublin & Cork
- Caoimhe Cahill, UL & Clare
- Caoimhe Keher Murtagh, UL & Kilkenny
- Mairéad O’Brien, UL & Waterford
- Mairéad Dillon, University of Galway & Galway
- Caoimhe Lyons, UL & Limerick
- Clodagh Finn, UCC & Cork
Uachtarán of the Camogie Association, Brian Molloy, said:
Congratulations to each of the players named on the 2025 Electric Ireland Camogie Third Level Rising Stars Team of the Year, and in particular, congratulations to player of the year Áine Keane. This competition provides a vital platform for young players to develop their skills, compete at a high level, and ultimately contribute to their clubs and counties. The Electric Ireland sponsorship is vital in providing the resources and support necessary to ensure the Third Level Championships continue to thrive and nurture the future stars of our game. To the players named on the Team of the Year - we are immensely proud to have such passionate and talented representatives for the sport. Well done to each and every one of you.
Robert Crabbe, Group Sponsorship & PR Manager, Electric Ireland, commented:
We are delighted to announce the 2025 Electric Ireland Camogie Third Level Rising Stars Team of the Year. The Ashbourne Cup, and the #FirstClassRivals campaign, truly embodies the spirit of competition and camaraderie. It is inspiring to see these players, who may be rivals on the inter-county stage, come together to form unbreakable bonds and achieve incredible success with their college teams. These are the connections that last a lifetime, and Electric Ireland is proud to support a competition that fosters such a unique and valuable experience for these talented athletes. Congratulations to all the Rising Stars!
Later this month, on March 19th and 27th respectively, The Electric Ireland Higher Education GAA Rising Stars Football and Hurling Teams of the Year will be announced and will award the 15 most starring performances of the Sigerson and Fitzgibbon Cup this year. Just like the camogie, it will not be one to miss.
