Ulster’s Team of the League

The league is over and it was typically dramatic, Shaun Casey selects the 15 that stood out for Ulster counties.

1 Gavin Mulreany (Donegal)

NOBODY could have imagined how comfortably Mulreany would pick up the number one jersey and replace Shaun Patton. He’s had to step forward in the absence of one of the best in the business and Mulreany has been super. He’s left Jim McGuinness with a massive selection headache once Patton returns from injury.

2 Finnbarr Roarty (Donegal)

A MATURE head on young shoulders, Roarty has the potential to be an all-time great. He has developed his weaker foot during the off season and looks to be a go-to man-marker this season. He went toe-to-toe with the likes of Ryan O’Donoghue and OisÍn Conaty and usually came out on top of those battles.

3 Gareth McKinless (Derry)

THE Ballinderry clubman is a welcomed returnee to the Derry fold having missed last season due to an ACL injury picked up at club level. He has played in different parts of the Derry defence and can often pick up the most dangerous forward on the opposition side but is also brilliant at driving his side forward.

4 Cormac Quinn (Tyrone)

IT was a poor league campaign for Tyrone, who never really troubled the top two positions in Division Two, but Quinn had a steady campaign at the back for Malachy O’Rourke’s men. He did as well as can be expected on Meath’s Jordan Morris, who is one of the most in-form players in the country, at Croke Park.

5 Ross McQuillan (Armagh)

ARGUABLY Armagh’s best player in the league, he came into the campaign carrying a knock, but once he was fully fit, he excelled. The Cullyhanna man has been flying under the new rules and has been the third top scorer in the Orchard County’s ranks, kicking 0-17 across their seven games.

Ulster players named on GAA teams of the week

6 Dessie Ward (Monaghan)

INJURIES hindered Monaghan’s chancing of staying in the top tier and they fell out of Division One with seven defeats on the bounce. Ballybay defender Dessie Ward was a constant presence at centre half-back and while the Farney County struggled, Ward kept up the fight.

7 Oisin Brady (Cavan)

BRADY has finally got a run of form in the Cavan forward line and has been a key man for Dermot McCabe’s Breffni Blues. He has been a major scoring presence, either in the the half-back line or the half-forward line and kicked two important scores in their victory over Kildare, which ultimately saved their bacon.

8 Odhrán Murdock (Down)

HAS developed into a powerhouse around the centre of the park and is one of the best midfielders in the country. Murdock showcased his talents in the championship last season, and the Burren clubman has kicked an impressive 2-19 as Down earned instant promotion back to Division Two.

9 Jason McGee (Donegal)

MCGEE was a huge absence for Donegal last season and they certainly missed him, even though they reached the All-Ireland decider. He has been a massive addition to the squad since he returned and his made up for lost time, often wearing the number 14 shirt but playing all across the pitch.

10 Darragh McGurn (Fermanagh)

IT took Fermanagh six games to finally land their first win of the season, but McGurn led the line for Declan Bonner’s side throughout the campaign. Often switching between the middle of the field and the half-forward line, he’s a huge scoring presence for the Erne County as well.

11 Pat Havern (Down)

THE Saval sharpshooter didn’t score against Westmeath, but Havern has been outstanding throughout the entire league. He is a real, top class forward and can drift out to the half-forward line to bring the play together as well. An accurate free-taker, Havern is also a two-point specialist.

12 Conor O’Donnell (Donegal)

SHOULD have won an All-Star for his performances in leading Donegal to an All-Ireland final last year. He has really pushed on again in 2026, having moved out to the half-forward line, and has excelled for the league finalists. O’Donnell has also added a real goal-scoring touch to his play.

13 Cian McConville (Armagh)

THE Crossmaglen man has got a consistent run of games this season and has grabbed the opportunity with both hands. Only his clubmate Oisin O’Neill has scored more for Armagh, and McConville has really excelled for Kieran McGeeney’s men.

14 Niall Loughlin (Derry)

LOUGHLIN’S first-half finish against Cavan was one of the goals of the league and he has been Derry’s best player throughout the campaign. Although they didn’t get promotion from Division Two, Loughlin performed at a high level and will hope to carry that form into the championship.

15 Dominic McEnhill (Antrim)

ANTRIM got off to a disastrous start to the league but eventually found their feet to win four games on the bounce, although it wasn’t enough to gain promotion. McEnhill was the leading light up top for Mark Doran’s men throughout.