Locals named as future stars at Queen’s evening

Locals named as future stars at Queen’s evening

23 April 2025

The McKeever Sports Queen’s University Future Stars for 2025 were introduced last Tuesday evening at a gala dinner in the Whitla Hall.

The awards are for those completing their GCSE final year and were introduced for gaelic football ten years ago, with a number of other sporting codes being added subsequently. 

This year’s awards covered the five GAA codes, as well as hockey, soccer, rowing and rugby, and a number of local rising stars were recognised.

RGU and Lecale Trinity forward Eoghan Convie picked up an award for gaelic football.

He was joined on the team by Bobby Magowan, of Drumgath and St Mark’s, Warrenpoint, and St Colman’s, Newry, student Danny Doyle, who has become the first player selected on both the hurling and football teams. 

The Newry Shamrocks and Down under-age star was selected in midfield on the football side and in the half-forward line for the hurlers.

Carryduff’s Tom Hickson was also included in the half-back line of a hurling team that is dominated by Antrim players.

Maria Cassidy, from Shimna Integrated Newcastle, is one of just four recipients in the girls rowing team, with the other three selected from Coleraine Grammar.

Ballynahinch RFC’s Rebekah Alexander made the girls rugby XV, while Banbridge Academy was well represented in the Hockey teams.

Daniel McKee and Charlie Taylor were both on the male team, while Charlotte Betts and Sophie Tate made the female team, with Newry High School’s Brianna Gregg joining the pair in defence.

Meanwhile, Lewis Redmond (Dromore High School) was chosen as the goalkeeper on the boys soccer team.

All the award winners and their parents were invited along to the gala presentation evening in the Whitla Hall last Tuesday.