Two teams comprising the country’s top Camogie stars will jet out to New York later this month as Camogie goes ‘On Tour’ to the Big Apple for the second Liberty Insurance Camogie All-Stars Tour.
This year’s match will also break new ground by being the first Camogie match to be live-streamed from outside of Ireland. The match will be broadcast on Liberty Insurance’s Facebook page as the game truly goes international.
Recipients of All-Stars Awards from 2018 and 2019 as well as several nominees will take off for New York on Thursday November 21st where they will play an exhibition match in Gaelic Park in the Bronx on Saturday November 23rd with throw-in taking place at 9pm Irish time (4pm Local time).
The teams will include stars from seven counties including Cork’s Amy O’Connor, Galway’s Sarah Healy and Kilkenny’s Grace Walsh who were all in attendance at today’s launch in Croke Park.
O’Connor collected her first All-Stars Award this year as did goalkeeper Healy after a summer to remember for the Tribeswomen in which she starred between the posts in their All-Ireland Final win. Walsh will represent the 2018 All-Stars having collected her first award last year.
The Tour will also include several other stalwarts of the game including Cork legend Aoife Murray who won her 8th All-Stars Award in 2018, and Kilkenny’s Anne Dalton who claimed the Player of the Year Award in 2018. Niamh Kilkenny, the current Player of the Year will also take part.
Galway’s Cathal Murray and Cork’s Paudie Murray will manage the sides. Paudie picked up the 2018 Manager of the Year Award having guided the Rebels to a record 28th All-Ireland title whilst Cathal is the current Manager of the Year having masterminded Galway’s League and Championship double in 2019.
Kildare’s Ray Kelly who refereed this year’s Senior All-Ireland Final will be the man in the middle for the exhibition match.
The Tour will also engage with the local Irish community in New York with a reception at the Irish Consulate. The Tour is being hosted by New York GAA who have been great partners in organising the Tour as the game continues to grow in North America. The Tour will now allow New Yorkers to witness the skill and athleticism of some of the game’s top players on their own doorstep!
Speaking at the launch Camogie Association President Kathleen Woods said:
“I am very much looking forward to the second Liberty Insurance Camogie All-Stars Tour as we head stateside later this month. 2019 has been a great year for the game so far and this year’s All-Ireland Championships were no different with fantastic action on the pitch in front or record crowds as the game continues to go from strength to strength.
“This tour is a recognition for some of the top stars of our game for their individual performances and dedication to the game, acknowledging them as the tremendous athletes and role models that they are.
“I would also like to recognise the continued support of our sponsors Liberty Insurance who have partnered with us on the Camogie All-Stars Tour once more this year, and we look forward to our continued work together in promoting the game to new audiences.”
Speaking in Croke Park, Seán Brett of Liberty Insurance said:
“Since 2014 Liberty Insurance has been proud to sponsor the All-Ireland Camogie Championships and in 2017 we expanded our relationship to also encompass the Camogie All-Stars Tour.
“Selection for the Camogie All-Stars Tour is a great accolade for the players. This year’s Tour will see the sport’s biggest and brightest stars go head-to-head in an exhibition game in the legendary Gaelic Park in New York City.
“The game is an opportunity to reward the players for all of the excitement, skill and entertainment that they have provided us with over the course of the 2018 and 2019 Championships, and to also promote Camogie to new audiences in the US.
“I am also very pleased to announce that we will be live-streaming the game through the Liberty Insurance Facebook page. For all of the supporters who can’t make it to New York, they can watch the game in real-time at 9pm, on Saturday November 23rd.
"On behalf of everyone at Liberty Insurance, we wish the players every success ahead of taking to the field in Gaelic Park.”
It was also announced today that the official 2019 Camogie All-Stars Tour jerseys will be available to purchase at www.oneills.com after today’s launch.
Speaking in Croke Park, Cormac Farrell of O’Neills said:
“O’Neill’s are delighted to be the kit supplier to the 2019 Liberty Insurance Camogie All-Stars Tour. We are proud to have our kit and leisurewear worn by the top Camogie players. This recognises O’Neill’s continued support and commitment to Gaelic Games. We wish the travelling party well in what should be an exciting trip to New York.”
2018 All-Stars Team:
Aoife Murray (Cork)
Grace Walsh (Kilkenny)
Laura Treacy (Cork)
Pamela Mackey (Cork)
Hannah Looney (Cork)
Davina Tobin (Kilkenny)
Chloe Sigerson (Cork)
Gemma O'Connor (Cork)
Meighan Farrell (Kilkenny)
Orla Cotter (Cork)
Katie Power (Kilkenny)
Denise Gaule (Kilkenny)
Katrina Mackey (Cork)
Cáit Devane (Tipperary)
Orla Beagan (Dublin)
2019 All-Stars Team:
Sarah Healy (Galway)
Shauna Healy (Galway)
Sarah Dervan (Galway)
Edwina Keane (Kilkenny)
Heather Cooney (Galway)
Claire Phelan (Kilkenny)
Lorraine Bray (Waterford)
Aoife Donohue (Galway)
Niamh Kilkenny (Galway)
Niamh Mulcahy (Limerick)
Niamh Rockett (Waterford)
Amy O'Connor (Cork)
Noreen Coen (Galway)
Ailish O'Reilly (Galway)
Beth Carton (Waterford)
#NYCamogieAllStars
- Ticket Information: Tickets are now available to purchase online from camogie.tickets.ie and from selected Centra and SuperValu outlets nationwide. Tickets will also be available to purchase in Gaelic Park, The Bronx, New York on matchday: Adults €15 and Under 18s are free.
