Tyrone prospect Eoin McElholm and Monaghan’s Gary Mohan are among the impressive additions to Sigerson Cup-holders Ulster University’s panel.
Loughmacrory lad McElholm was linked to a move to Australian Rules Football but will be available to his county after making his senior debut last year, while Mohan has considerable inter-county experience already.
They join a very strong UU panel, although another Red Hand attacker, Ruairi Canavan, will miss the opening game in the defence of their crown – against ATU Sligo – as he will be involved with his club Errigal Ciaran’s delayed All-Ireland Club SFC semi-final this weekend. Similarly, Ballinderry’s Niall O’Donnell will focus on his club’s forthcoming All-Ireland Intermediate decider.
However, even without them Ulster University will have a huge amount of talent to draw upon, including 11 others from Tyrone, with Conor Cush, Ben Cullen, and Lorcan McGarrity among them.
Living up to their name, the entire UU panel of 35 is from the northern province, with Cavan the only Ulster county not represented. There are seven from Down, four from Fermanagh, three each from Armagh, Derry, and Monaghan, two Donegal, and one from Antrim.
Among the other notable names are Donegal’s Ciaran Moore, Burren and Down trio Ryan and Danny Magill and Odhran Murdock, and Derry defensive star Eoin McEvoy from Magherafelt.
The reigning Young Footballer of the Year, Armagh’s Oisin Conaty, is the best-known name on the St Mary’s squad, along with Tyrone attacker Seanie O’Donnell of Trillick, a cousin of Ruairi Canavan.
Tir nan Og, Portadown clubman Conaty is one of a dozen players from the Orchard county on the panel for the Belfast teacher training college. St Mary’s also have a wide spread from across Ulster, from seven counties in all, with only Cavan and Fermanagh missing.
There are six from Down – including Macdarragh Hynes from county champs Kilcoo – five from Derry, four from Monaghan, three each from Antrim and Tyrone, and two Donegal lads.
The first match for ‘the Ranch’ will be on Wednesday against city rivals Queen’s, who have players drawn from 11 different counties and three provinces – with one each from Dublin, Westmeath, and Sligo.
Tyrone again provides the most players, 10 in all, with seven from Derry, six Antrim, three Down, two each from Armagh and Fermanagh, and one apiece from Donegal and Monaghan.
Although there are only two from the Orchard County, one of those is Peter McGrane, who was a regular in defence for Armagh last season, although he did not start the All-Ireland final.
Also available to QUB boss Conor Deegan is Anton Tohill, son of the legendary midfielder Anthony; the Swatragh lad has been recalled to the Derry senior set-up by new Oak Leaf manager Paddy Tally. His county colleague Ruairi Forbes is an excellent prospect, although he has continuing club commitments with Ballinderry, having reached the All-Ireland Club Intermediate Football decider.
As usual, the ATU Donegal panel is dominated by players from the Tir Chonaill county – with 26 in all. There are also representatives from six other counties: Cavan, Kildare, Louth, Mayo, Monaghan (2), and Sligo (3). The Donegal side will meet MTU Cork in the first round on Wednesday.
