It was a night of immense pride for Antrim GAA at the Whitla Hall on Wednesday evening, as players from across the Saffron County took centre stage at the annual McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars gala dinner.
While talented athletes from across Ulster were recognised, it was the staggering achievements of Belfast and North Antrim schools that truly stole the headlines, headlined by a historic, unprecedented treble for Rathmore Grammar’s Aodhán O’Hanlon.
Here is how Antrim’s brightest young talents dominated the 2025-26 Future Stars across all codes.
A Historic Treble for Gort na Móna’s O’Hanlon
Last year, history was made when a player collected two Future Stars awards. This year, Rathmore Grammar and Gort na Móna clubman Aodhán O’Hanlon went one better.
O’Hanlon was the undeniable star of the evening, picking up an incredible three Future Stars awards across Hurling, Gaelic Football, and Soccer. A driving force for Rathmore in all three codes, O’Hanlon notably racked up 1-10 in the Danske Bank Kirk Cup hurling final against St Malachy’s Belfast just before Easter.
Saffron Stranglehold on the Hurling Team
Antrim’s traditional hurling powerhouses absolutely dominated the Future Stars hurling selection, claiming a massive portion of the starting fifteen.
- Cross & Passion Ballycastle: Following their victory over St Mary’s CBGS in the Danske Bank Foresters’ Cup final, CPC secured three spots through Aaron Gillan, Oran Baudant, and Charley McCauley.
- St Mary’s CBGS Belfast: The beaten finalists were rightfully represented by defensive duo Ben McCaul and Conall Dempsey.
- St Malachy’s Belfast: After retaining the Kirk Cup, Ollie Gregory and Harry Feeney (who hit 1-4 in the decider) became the first-ever hurlers from St Malachy’s to be selected for a Future Stars team.
- St Louis Ballymena: Goalkeeper Jack McQuillan and forward Éanna McGuckian ensured Ballymena was well represented.
- Rathmore Grammar: Aodhán O’Hanlon took his rightful place in the forward line.
- St Mary’s Magherafelt – Ronan Colgan (Kickhams Creggan)
Camogie: Antrim’s Production Line Continues
Antrim’s future in senior camogie looks incredibly bright, with several breakout stars from the county picking up awards.
Clíodhna Thompson, who led St Killian’s Garron Tower to the Liatroim Fontenoys’ Cup with a stunning 1-7 in the final, took her place in the forward line alongside St Louis Ballymena’s Cliodhna McKeever. Meanwhile, Coláiste Feirste collected their first-ever camogie award thanks to the standout performances of midfielder Róisín Nic Bhrádaigh.
There was also a nod to Antrim Camogie royalty. Rose McMullan from Cross & Passion Ballycastle—who helped shock St Patrick’s Maghera in the Corn Uan Uladh final—was selected. She is the daughter of Róisín Duffin, who famously starred for Antrim in the 2001 All-Ireland Intermediate final.
Ulster schools’ secretary Méabh Cassidy noted the direct pathway these awards provide, pointing out that Antrim senior stars like Sarah O’Neill, Erin Coulter, Shannagh Heggarty, Janey McIntosh, Orlaith McAlister, Laura Black, and Eobha McAllister all previously came through the Future Stars ranks.
Breaking New Ground in Gaelic Football
Rathmore Grammar was the story of the night in the boys’ football selection, claiming three spots. Joining the ubiquitous Aodhán O’Hanlon were Darragh Cross clubman Connor Sheridan in goals and St Brigid’s midfielder Liam Carson.
Antrim schools also celebrated several historic “firsts” in the football categories:
- Nathan Burns became the first player from Edmund Rice College Glengormley to win a Future Stars award.
- Fintan McArdle proudly put Aquinas Grammar Belfast on the roll of honour for the very first time.
In Ladies Football, the Saffron representation remained strong. Evie McAllister from Dominican College Fortwilliam picked up an award, as did Rathmore Grammar forward Anna Adams, daughter of former Antrim senior footballer Gearóid Adams.
In the Handball category, Edmund Rice College Glengormley was represented once again, with Mia Carlin taking home one of the three female awards.
The Antrim & Belfast Roll of Honour
| Name | School | Sport |
| Aodhán O’Hanlon | Rathmore Grammar | Hurling & Boys Football |
| Aaron Gillan | Cross & Passion Ballycastle | Hurling |
| Oran Baudant | Cross & Passion Ballycastle | Hurling |
| Charley McCauley | Cross & Passion Ballycastle | Hurling |
| Ben McCaul | St Mary’s CBGS Belfast | Hurling |
| Conall Dempsey | St Mary’s CBGS Belfast | Hurling |
| Ollie Gregory | St Malachy’s Belfast | Hurling |
| Harry Feeney | St Malachy’s Belfast | Hurling |
| Jack McQuillan | St Louis Ballymena | Hurling |
| Éanna McGuckian | St Louis Ballymena | Hurling |
| Connor Sheridan | Rathmore Grammar | Boys Football |
| Liam Carson | Rathmore Grammar | Boys Football |
| Nathan Burns | Edmund Rice College Glengormley | Boys Football |
| Fintan McArdle | Aquinas Grammar Belfast | Boys Football |
| Clíodhna Thompson | St Killian’s Garron Tower | Camogie |
| Cliodhna McKeever | St Louis Ballymena | Camogie |
| Róisín Nic Bhrádaigh | Coláiste Feirste | Camogie |
| Rose McMullan | Cross & Passion Ballycastle | Camogie |
| Evie McAllister | Dominican College Fortwilliam | Ladies Football |
| Anna Adams | Rathmore Grammar | Ladies Football |
| Mia Carlin | Edmund Rice College Glengormley | Handball (Female) |