Gemma O’Connor collects inaugural Camogie Association/WGPA Senior Players’ Player of the Year
All-Ireland Champions Cork and finalists Galway dominated the 2015 All-Stars team sponsored by Liberty Insurance, taking seven places each on this year’s selection presented by special guest Brent Pope and Camogie Association President Catherine Neary at Citywest on Saturday, November 7th.
Gemma O’Connor of Cork also collected the inaugural Camogie Association/WGPA Senior Players’ Player of the Year award. Patricia Jackman of Waterford was the recipient of the Intermediate accolade while Kate Nolan of Carlow was chosen as the Junior Players’ Player of the Year. All three were selected from a shortlist as compiled by the WGPA after voting by inter-county players. The awards are sponsored by Liberty Insurance.
O’Connor collected her ninth All-Star award at centre-back while team-mate Aoife Murray was selected in goals; Pamela Mackey and Rena Buckley were named in defence; Cork captain Ashling Thompson was selected in midfield and Orla Cotter and Briege Corkery were named in the forward line.
Galway received seven awards. Defensive duo, Sarah Dervan and Heather Cooney, were named at full-back and corner-back respectively. Lorraine Ryan was selected at wing-back and Galway captain Niamh Kilkenny took a place at midfield.
Niamh McGrath was named at centre-forward while Molly Dunne and Ailish O’Reilly were named at full-forward and corner-forward. Wexford’s Kate Kelly completed the team at left-wing forward.
Cork manager Paudie Murray was named as the Liberty Insurance Manager of the Year after guiding his county to successive All-Ireland titles.
Speaking at the event Camogie Association President Catherine Neary said:
"The Liberty Insurance Camogie All-Star awards are an important date in the camogie calendar. It provides us with the opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate our players and I congratulate all of our award winners.
They have entertained us all during the 2015 season with their skill, athleticism, determination and commitment. To win an All-Star Award or a Soaring Star Award is a wonderful achievement for any player and I have no doubt the players would be the first to acknowledge the role of their teammates. Congratulations also to the 2015 Manager of the Year, Paudie .Murray of Cork.
This year saw the introduction of the Camogie Association / WGPA Players’ Player of the Year award and we have three fantastic winners. This award is a reflection of the esteem that the winners are held in by their fellow players who voted on this year’s recipients."
John Coffey, Sponsorship & PR Manager, Liberty Insurance said:
“The Camogie All-Stars recognise the outstanding achievements of this year’s players across all levels, and are one of the highlights of the sporting calendar.
We are delighted to sponsor the awards, and are looking forward to celebrating with this year’s recipients.
We are also pleased to support the inaugural Player’s Player of the Year award and congratulate all of this year’s winners.”
Aoife Lane, Chairperson of the WGPA commented:
“We would like to extend congratulations to all of the nominees for these inaugural awards, and in particular to the three worthy winners; Gemma O’Connor, Patricia Jackman and Kate Nolan.
Each are excellent athletes and are strong role models in their club and county for the ambition and commitment they display on and off the field.
It is great to be a part of such a worthwhile venture on a special night for the Camogie Association. Congratulations to all nominees and winners at the 2015 All-Stars event.”
The 2015 Soaring Stars at Junior and Intermediate level, which were announced earlier in October, were also presented last night (November 7th).
Laois trio, Sarah-Anne Fitzgerald, Laura-Marie Maher and Louise Mahony collected awards following their All-Ireland winning exploits with the O’Moore County while All-Ireland Junior finalists, Roscommon were awarded two Soaring Stars with Susan Spillane and Rachel Fitzmaurice. The final place on the 2015 Junior Soaring Stars selection went to Pamela Greville of Westmeath.
The Intermediate selection was led by Waterford with Beth Carton, Lorraine Bray and Patricia Jackman. Kildare duo Susie O’Carroll and Melissa Lyons each collected awards and the final spot went to Jane Dolan of Meath.
Photographs from the 2015 Camogie All-Stars event sponsored by Liberty Insurance are available FOC from Inpho Photography.
The 2015 All-Stars team sponsored by Liberty Insurance
Aoife Murray, Cork, Pamela Mackey, Cork, Sarah Dervan, Galway, Heather Cooney, Galway, Rena Buckley, Cork, Gemma O’Connor, Cork, Lorraine Ryan, Galway, Niamh Kilkenny, Galway, Ashling Thompson, Cork, Orla Cotter, Cork, Niamh McGrath, Galway, Kate Kelly, Wexford, Briege Corkery, Cork, Molly Dunne, Galway, Ailish O’Reilly, Galway.
2015 Intermediate Soaring Stars sponsored by Liberty Insurance
Susie O’Carroll, Kildare, Melissa Lyons, Kildare, Lorraine Bray, Waterford, Beth Carton, Waterford, Patricia Jackman, Waterford, Jane Dolan, Meath.
2015 Junior Soaring Stars sponsored by Liberty Insurance
Susan Spillane, Roscommon, Rachel Fitzmaurice, Roscommon, Laura-Marie Maher, Laois, Louise Mahony, Laois, Sarah-Anne Fitzgerald, Laois, Pamela Greville, Westmeath.
2015 Manager of the Year sponsored by Liberty Insurance
Paudie Murray, Cork
2015 Camogie Association/WGPA Players’ Player of the Year sponsored by Liberty Insurance
Senior Players’ Player of the Year: Gemma O’Connor, Cork
Intermediate Players’ Player of the Year: Patricia Jackman, Waterford
Junior Players’ Player of the Year: Kate Nolan, Carlow
ENDS
For further information contact Claire Egan, Communications & Marketing Director, the Camogie Association, 01 865 8618, 087 9030 755 email: Claire@camogie.ie
