Shirley makes the cut for Team of the Year

Offaly hurler Donal Shirley been selected on the Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Stars Hurling Team of the Year.

Shirley was part of the DCU Dóchas Éireann team which reached the Fitzgibbon Cup final, in which they were defeated by University of Limerick at the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence.

DCU DÉ secured their place in the final with a thrilling semi-final victory over University College Cork, and Shirley is one of five DCU DÉ players chosen on the Team of the Year (see team list below).

A member of Offaly's All-Ireland winning U20 hurling team in 2024, Shirley has helped the senior team secure promotion from Division 1B of this year's Allianz Hurling League.

Shirley plays club hurling for Brosna Gaels and football for Tubber. He is a past pupil of Moate Community School, where he was a key player on the school's senior football team.

The Electric Ireland Rising Stars Team of the Year for camogie and football have been previously announced. On Monday, March 31, the Teams of the Year will be formally presented at an exclusive event, where the coveted titles of Players of the Year from each team will be announced.

Congratulating all the players on their selection, GAA President Jarlath Burns said: "The Electric Ireland Higher Education Hurling Championships have once again showcased the incredible talent and dedication within our student ranks".

Electric Ireland Higher Education Rising Stars Hurling Team of the Year:

1. Darach Fahy, UL/Galway

2. Ciarán Doolan, UCC/Cork

3. Paddy Langton, DCU DÉ/Kilkenny

4. Darragh O’Sullivan, MTU/Cork

5. Pádraic Moylan, DCU DÉ/Kilkenny

6. Mark Fitzgerald, UL/Waterford

7. Colin Coughlan, UL/Limerick

8. Donal Shirley, DCU DÉ/Offaly

9. Adam English, UL/Limerick

10. Gearóid O’Connor, UL/Tipperary

11. Daire O’Leary, Garda College/Cork

12. Patrick Crotty, UL/Clare

13. Joe Flanagan, DCU DÉ/Dublin

14. Cian Boran, DCU DÉ/Kildare

15. Jack Leahy, UL/Cork.