Recently Ulster GAA brought together outstanding young volunteers from across Ulster to Armagh City Hotel to celebrate completion of the 2025 Ulster GAA Young Leader’s Programme.
Ulster GAA’s Young Leaders Programme is now in its eighth year – designed from the outset to empower, to reward, to educate and to develop young GAA members; celebrating the very best in young volunteers. And this year was no different, as 28 young Gaels aged 16 years+ from across Ulster embarked on the 2025 Young Leaders Programme, spending 6 months completing the activities which included:
- 3-day Academy in Armagh
- Online workshops
- 6 months playing our games
- 3 months volunteering in their clubs
- 2-day, 1 night hiking expedition in the Mournes
The young people have all been fantastic in engaging in the programme, getting to know each other and learning more about issues relating to the GAA and sport.
By completing this prestigious programme, the young people achieved an impressive set of certificates including:
- 2025 Ulster GAA Young Leaders Award
- Introduction to Coaching Gaelic Games Award
- GAA Safeguarding 1 Award
- Sports Inspire Volunteering Award
- Volunteer Now’ Youth Impact Award
- GAA for All certificate
- Gaisce – the President’s award or Duke of Edinburgh Bronze Award.
Speaking at the Awards Breakfast Ulster GAA President Michael Geoghegan said, “This is one of the most uplifting events we run every year in Ulster GAA. The room is packed full of enthusiastic and committed young people who have spent the last year contributing positively to their club and communities while developing their own skills.
“The impressive set of awards achieved showcase the commitment and talent, undertaking this highly sought programme which has helped to develop the young participants skills and abilities. Through this programme we hope the young volunteers will all go on to play a meaningful role within their club through volunteering in the future. Well done, we are incredibly proud of our 28 Young Leaders and I’m sure their families and clubs are too.”
Congratulations to the 2025 Ulster GAA Young Leaders:
- Aidan Quinn – Naomh Brid, Brocagh, Tyrone
- Amy Connolly – St Colmcilles Grange and O’Connells GAC Tullysaran , Armagh
- Aodhan McGrane – Ballyhegan Davitts, Armagh
- Aoife Fisher – Errigal Ciaran, Tyrone
- Caitlin Flanagan – Roslea Shamrocks GAA, Fermanagh
- Clodagh McKenna – Errigal Ciaran, Tyrone
- Conall Morgan – Roger Casements GAC, Antrim
- Conor Convie – Maghery, Armagh
- Conor Larkin – CLG Ciceam Ard Eoin, Antrim
- Cormac Murphy – Ballyhegan Davitts, Armagh
- Eoghan McAleer – Edendork , Tyrone
- Fíonn McCann – St Brigid’s GAC Belfast, Antrim
- Grace Ruxton – Shercock, Cavan
- James Lunny – Warrenpoint (CPN), Down
- Joe Logan – St. Brigid’s GAC, Antrim
- Jonah Iosa Feeney – Maghery , Armagh
- Kaela Toye – Roslea Shamrocks GAA, Fermanagh
- Katie Elliott – Roslea Shamrocks GAA, Fermanagh
- Mary-jane Canavan – Naomh Brid, Brocagh , Tyrone
- Matilda McDaid – Newtownbutler First Fermanaghs
- Mea Reilly – Roslea Shamrocks GAA, Fermanagh
- Niamh Napier – Carryduff GAC, Down
- Oliver Graham – St Patrick’s GAA, Lisburn, Antrim
- Ríain Barr – Doire Colmcille, Derry
- Rós Carberry – Brackaville GAA, Tyrone
- Ruairi McGrane – Ballyhegan Davitts , Armagh
- Sé Steele – St Enda’s Glengormley, Antrim
- Tiernan McCann – Dromara GAC, Down
