All-Ireland Senior champions Cork dominated the 2017 Camogie All-Stars team sponsored by Liberty Insurance, taking eight places on this year’s selection presented by Camogie Association President Catherine Neary at the Citywest Hotel on Saturday, November 4th.
All-Ireland runners-up Kilkenny received four awards, with Semi-Finalists Galway receiving two awards and Dublin completing the line-up with one award.
This year’s Awards were extra significant as all of the winning Senior All-Stars will also be invited on the inaugural Liberty Insurance Camogie All-Stars Tour to Madrid later this month to take part in an exhibition match against their 2016 counterparts.
Amongst the winners for the Rebels in defence were goalkeeper Aoife Murray, right corner-back and captain Rena Buckley, left corner-back Laura Treacy, as well as Gemma O’Connor and Eimear O’Sullivan in the half-back line. O’Connor was collecting a record tenth All-Stars Award to move her ahead of Wexford legend Kate Kelly at the top of the All-Stars Awards Roll of Honour. Ashling
Thompson was selected in midfield whilst in the forwards Katrina Mackey and Orla Cotter were selected in the half-forward line.
All-Ireland runners-up Kilkenny are represented throughout the spine of the team with Catherine Foley at full-back, Anne Dalton claiming a fifth All-Stars Award at centre half-back, Meighan Farrell in midfield and Katie Power at centre-half-forward.
Galway are represented by the Championship’s top scorer Ailish O’Reilly at right corner-forward and Aoife Donohue at left corner-forward.
The 2017 All-Stars team is completed with Dublin forward Aisling Maher rewarded for her key role in the Capital’s run to the All-Ireland Semi-Final by being selected at full-forward.
Cork manager Paudie Murray was named as Manager of the Year for the second time after guiding the Rebels to a record 27th All-Ireland title.
Cork’s Rena Buckley also collected the Camogie Association/WGPA Senior Players’ Player of the Year award. Claire Coffey of Meath was the recipient of the Intermediate accolade whilst Dublin’s Aoife Bugler was chosen as the Junior Players’ Player of the Year. All three were selected from a shortlist compiled by the WGPA after voting by intercounty players with the awards sponsored by Liberty Insurance.
All-Ireland Intermediate champions Meath lead the 2017 Soaring Stars Awards, represented by six players; goalkeeper Emily Mangan, captain Claire Coffey at full-back, Megan Thynne at right half-forward, Amy Gaffney at left half-forward, Aoife Minogue at right half-forward and Jane Dolan at full-forward who collected an incredible sixth Soaring Stars Award.
Intermediate runners-up Cork are represented by four players; Sarah Harrington at right corner-back, captain Niamh Ní Chaoimh at left corner-back, Sarah Buckley at centre half-back and Keeva McCarthy at centre half-forward.
All-Ireland Premier Junior champions are represented by Laura Doherty at left half-back and Caoimhe McCrossan in Midfield. Runners-up Dublin are also represented by Aoife Bugler at left corner-forward.
The 2017 Soaring Stars team is completed by the Intermediate duo of Carlow’s Emma Brennan at right half-back and Kildare’s Emer Reilly in midfield.
Speaking at the event Camogie Association President Catherine Neary said:
"The Camogie All-Stars Awards sponsored by Liberty Insurance recognise players that have entertained us all during the 2017 season with their skill, athleticism, determination and commitment. For our players who have won an All-Stars Award or a Soaring Stars Award I congratulate you, it is indeed a wonderful achievement. Congratulations also to the 2017 Manager of the Year, Paudie Murray of Cork.
“I also wish to congratulate the Camogie Association/WGPA Players’ Player of the Year award winners on their wonderful individual achievements in 2017. These awards are a reflection of the esteem that the winners are held in by their fellow players who voted for this year’s recipients and it is this element that makes these particular awards so special.
“Finally, I am delighted that the inaugural Liberty Insurance Camogie All-Stars Tour will take place later this month. The All-Stars Tour provides further evidence of the esteem in which our players are held not only within the Camogie community but also within the wider national sporting context. I wish to acknowledge our partners Liberty Insurance for their continued support of our game and our players.”
Speaking on behalf of Liberty Insurance, Director of Personal Lines Deirdre Ashe said:
“Each of the players here this evening are role models for young women by their actions and deeds on and off the field of play, and we’d like to congratulate all of the nominees and winners for playing their part in such a memorable Camogie Championships this year.
“It’s important for us in Liberty Insurance to continue to raise the profile & awareness of female athletes, and is a privilege to sponsor the Camogie All-Star Awards this evening which celebrate the achievements of the sport’s finest players. It’s really exciting too that the first ever Liberty Insurance Camogie All-Stars Tour to Madrid takes place later this month, building on our commitment to women in sport while providing an opportunity to showcase the game to new audiences in Europe.”
Aoife Lane, Chairperson of the WGPA commented:
“We would like to extend congratulations to all of the nominees and commend them for being such excellent role models in their club and county, displaying the highest levels of skill and commitment throughout the year.
“In particular we celebrate the achievement of the three worthy Players’ Player of the Year winners; Rena Buckley, Claire Coffey and Aoife Bugler. Each have been chosen by their peers as the outstanding exponents of their game, perhaps the highest tribute which can be paid to any player.
“We wish Camogie continued growth and success in 2018."
2017 All-Stars team sponsored by Liberty Insurance:
Goalkeeper: Aoife Murray (Cork) – 7th Time Winner
Right Corner-Back: Rena Buckley (Cork) – 5th Time Winner
Full-Back: Catherine Foley (Kilkenny) – 1st Time Winner (Won Intermediate Soaring Star in 2014)
Left Corner-Back: Laura Treacy (Cork) – 1st Time Winner
Right Half-Back: Gemma O’Connor (Cork) – 10th Time Winner
Centre Half-Back: Anne Dalton (Kilkenny) – 5th Time Winner
Left Half-Back: Eimear O’Sullivan (Cork) – 2nd Time Winner
Midfield: Meighan Farrell (Kilkenny) – 2nd Time Winner
Midfield: Ashling Thompson (Cork) – 2nd Time Winner
Right Half-Forward: Katrina Mackey (Cork) – 4th Time Winner
Centre Half-Forward: Katie Power (Kilkenny) – 3rd Time Winner
Left Half-Forward: Orla Cotter (Cork) – 5th Time Winner
Right Corner-Forward: Ailish O’Reilly (Galway) – 3rd Time Winner
Full-Forward: Aisling Maher (Dublin) – 1st Time Winner
Left Corner-Forward: Aoife Donohue (Galway) – 2nd Time Winner
2017 Soaring Stars sponsored by Liberty Insurance:
Goalkeeper: Emily Mangan (Meath) – Intermediate – 2nd Time Winner
Right Corner-Back: Sarah Harrington (Cork) – Intermediate – 1st Time Winner
Full-Back: Claire Coffey (Meath) – Intermediate – 2nd Time Winner
Left Corner-Back: Niamh Ní Chaoimh (Cork) – Intermediate – 1st Time Winner
Right Half-Back: Emma Brennan (Carlow) – Intermediate – 1st Time Winner
Centre Half-Back: Sarah Buckley (Cork) – Intermediate – 1st Time Winner
Left Half-Back: Laura Doherty (Westmeath) – Premier Junior – 1st Time Winner
Midfield: Emer Reilly (Kildare) – Intermediate – 1st Time Winner
Midfield: Caoimhe McCrossan (Westmeath) – 1st Time Winner
Right Half-Forward: Megan Thynne (Meath) – Intermediate – 1st Time Winner
Centre Half-Forward: Keeva McCarthy (Cork) – Intermediate – 1st Time Winner
Left Half-Forward: Amy Gaffney (Meath) – Intermediate – 1st Time Winner
Right Corner-Forward: Aoife Minogue (Meath) – Intermediate – 1st Time Winner
Full-Forward: Jane Dolan (Meath) – 6th Time Winner – Intermediate – 6th Time Winner
Left Corner-Forward: Aoife Bugler (Dublin) – Premier Junior – 1st Time Winner
2017 Manager of the Year sponsored by Liberty Insurance:
Paudie Murray, Cork – 2nd Time Winner
2017 Camogie Association/WGPA Players’ Player of the Year sponsored by Liberty Insurance:
Senior Players’ Player of the Year: Rena Buckley (Cork) – 1st Time Winner
Intermediate Players’ Player of the Year: Claire Coffey (Meath) – 1st Time Winner
Junior Players’ Player of the Year: Aoife Bugler (Dublin) – 1st Time Winner
