Electric Ireland and the GAA Higher Education Committee have today announced that University of Limerick footballer, David Clifford has been named Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Star Football Player of the Year 2022 and University of Limerick hurler, Bryan O’Mara has been named Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Star Hurling Player of the Year 2022.

O’Mara, who was Man of the Match in the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup Final, was outstanding over the course of UL’s journey to the Electric Ireland Fitzgibbon Cup final. The Tipperary man also scored four points in the final as UL lifted the trophy for the first time since 2018.

Clifford, an Electric Ireland Minor Star award winner in 2017, was phenomenal throughout the Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup, scoring six goals and 22 points in six Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup matches, as UL made it all the way to the final, for only the second time in the university’s history.  

The Rising Star awards for Clifford and O’Mara follow on their selection on the Electric Ireland GAA Higher Education Rising Star Football and Hurling Teams of the Year in March. The Rising Star Football Team of the Year 2022 included DCU DÉ player, Red Óg Murphy, who tragically passed away in April. Red Óg Murphy was a stalwart of DCU DÉ’s midfield and his skill and flair were evident throughout the Sigerson Cup in 2022 as DCU DÉ reached the semi-finals of the competition.

Congratulating David Clifford and Bryan O’Mara, Uachtarán CLG Larry McCarthy said: “The intent and dedication both David and Bryan showed over the course of the Electric Ireland Sigerson & Fitzgibbon Cups is a true sign of how important these competitions are to the players and the GAA. These competitions were a brilliant way to begin the year and I would like to congratulate all of those involved who were named in the Team of the Year in March. I would also like to extend my deepest sympathies to the family and friends of Red Óg Murphy. Red Óg was a standout performer for DCU DÉ during this year’s Electric Ireland Sigerson Cup and his untimely death has been felt by all in the GAA family”

Sarah Sharkey, Brand, PR and Sponsorship Manager for Electric Ireland added her congratulations for the two UL Rising Stars: “It was wonderful, after such a long break, to see all the players back in action in the Electric Ireland Higher Education Leagues. David and Bryan are certainly worthy winners of this year’s Rising Star awards, their commitment and performance on the pitch was significant in their team’s progression through the competitions. On behalf of Electric Ireland, I would like to also extend our sincerest sympathies to the teammates, coaches, friends, and family of Red Óg Murphy. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.”