Cats get the cream at Camogie All-stars
By Angela Doyle
All-Ireland Champions Cork may have dominated the Camogie All-Stars with Gemma O’Connor getting honoured for an unprecedented sixth successive time and five players receiving All Star awards for the first time.
The Cats too received the honours with five awards with Jacqui Frisby, Elaine Aylward, Anne Dalton and Katie Power earning their first All-Star, while Aoife Neary collected her second award in two years. The celebrations took place on Friday night at the City West Hotel.
Beaten semi-finalists Galway received three awards. Therese Maher picked up her third while Regina Glynn and Anne Marie Hayes were winners for the second time.
Grainne McGoldrick earned a first time award for Derry.
The O’Neills Young Player of the Year award went to Kilkenny’s Denise Gaule. This has been an incredible year for the Kilkenny forward who featured prominently in the Cats fourth consecutive All-Ireland minor win. The Windgap player amassed an amazing 5-11 between the All Ireland minor semi-final and final. She also had a prolific season in front of the posts with the senior team.
Denise Cronin was named the O’Neills Manager of the Year following back-to-back victories with Cork. The former Glen Rovers and County star led the Rebels to their eighth successive final appearance in 10 years, and to their 24th title overall – just two behind titleholders Dublin. After a very successful playing career, Cronin took over the management of the Cork team in 2008.
Speaking at the awards ceremony Joan O’Flynn, president of the Camogie Association said: “The All Stars awards recognise the individual excellence and leadership of the leading camogie players this season. The awards are a treasured keepsake as they signify the achievement of playing camogie to the highest standards.
“This recognition is now also extended to players from the Junior All Ireland series through the inaugural Soaring Star Awards. In a season when 13 different counties won National League and All Ireland Championship titles, the 2009 All Star and Soaring Star Award winners claim their rightful place as wonderful exponents of all that’s best in camogie.”
Goalkeeper
Aoife Murray (Cork).
Backs
Regina Glynn (Galway).
Cathriona Foley (Cork).
Jacqui Frisby (Kilkenny).
Anne Marie Hayes (Galway).
Mary O’Connor (Cork).
Elaine Aylward (Kilkenny).
Midfield
Brig Corkery (Cork).
Anne Dalton (Kilkenny).
Forwards
Katie Power (Kilkenny).
Gemma O’Connor (Cork).
Therese Maher (Galway).
Aoife Neary (Kilkenny).
Grainne McGoldrick (Derry).
Rachel Moloney (Cork).
O’Neills Manager Of The Year
Denise Cronin (Cork).
O’Neills Young Player Of The Year
Denise Gaule (Kilkenny).