Soaring Stars Nominees 2019

With just a few days to go until our All-Stars Awards, we take a look at the 36 players nominated for a Soaring Stars award.

Laura Glynn (Galway) – The Sarsfields shot stopper receives her first Soaring Stars nomination after a valuable contribution to her side’s All-Ireland Final run. The 24-year-old was solid in goals, while her distribution was also excellent throughout.

Fiona Keating (Westmeath) – The All-Ireland winning netminder produced solid performances throughout the Championship campaign and earns a maiden Soaring Stars nomination. The Cullion shot stopper was also part of the Premier Junior winning team from 2017.

Leah O’Carroll (Limerick) – The Patrickswell Club player pulled off some great saves throughout the Premier Junior Championship, including in the decider in Croke Park. The Limerick netminder is one of three Limerick nominees up for an award.

Eva Butler (Limerick) – The Bruff defender earns her first nomination for a Soaring Stars award after impressive defensive displays en route to an All-Ireland Premier Junior Final appearance. The 18-year-old also featured in Limerick’s Minor successful campaign back in March.

Áine Crowley (Cork) – The Rebel corner-back produced many solid and efficient performances, helping her side to a Munster title during the summer. The 22-year-old is the only Cork player nominated for a Soaring Stars Award.

Laura Doherty (Westmeath) – The student from Raharney produced performances beyond her youthful years as she helped her team to a mighty comeback win in the Intermediate decider. Her defending all through the Summer was superb.

Nicole Kelly (Down) – Last year’s All-Ireland finalist produced consistent and reliable performances for the black and red outfit as they topped their group and reached the Semi-Final stages. Her side were unlucky not to advance to the showpiece, but Kelly’s performances deserved the nomination.

Meadbh Scally (Westemath) – The Westmeath Full-Back was solid and as reliable as ever in defence for the All-Ireland Champions during the Championship and has been merited for those performances with a nomination. The Clonkill club player managed to keep her attacker scoreless in the decider as her side went on to lift the trophy.  

Laura Shinners (Tipperary) – The Premier County defender lined out in the half-back line throughout the Championship, but her versatility gave her the option to play in any position within the back line. The young Killurane star was one of Tipperary’s best performers throughout the year.

Laura Ward (Galway) – Galway’s captain led by example throughout the year and was very unlucky not to lift the trophy in the decider in September after excellent performances this campaign. The Sarsfields star can be proud of her efforts and is nominated on the back of these performances.

Ciara Donohue (Galway) – After going unbeaten throughout the Championship until the Final, it is no surprise to see the Mullagh star nominated after a string of impressive performances. She started the decider at corner-back and kept her opponent scoreless in Croke Park, which is a big feat for any defender.

Dervla Higgins (Galway) – The Athenry wing-back took the Intermediate Championship by storm this year and as a result of those excellent performances, Higgins is also nominated for the Intermediate Players’ Player of the Year. The 22-year-old is looking for her maiden Soaring Stars award.

Sabrina Larkin (Tipperary) – Tipperary’s captain produced some superb defending this year and deservingly earned a second consecutive Soaring Stars nomination. She led her team to a League title early in the year and continued that impressive form into the Championship. Sabrina is also nominated for the Intermediate Players’ Player of the Year.

Fiona Leavy (Westmeath) – The Raharney defender was excellent throughout the year and made life very difficult for any attackers that she faced. Her defending was crucial in Westmeath lifting the Intermediate title in September. She started the All-Ireland Final at centre half-back and led by example for her fellow defenders.

Kate Screene (Galway) – The 18-year-old burst into life when wearing the Galway jersey this year, starring at wing-back for the Tribeswomen throughout the Championship. The Skehana Menlough club player has a bright future ahead of her after showing her capabilities on a consistent basis this year.

Karen McMullan (Down) – The experience that McMullan brings to the team was evident for all to see this year as she helped her side to an All-Ireland Semi-Final berth against eventual champions Westmeath. The Liatroim Club player was invaluable to her side again this year and she is looking to pick up her second Soaring Stars Award.

Sara Murphy (Kerry) – The Clanmaurice star was excellent for the Kingdom throughout their successful Championship campaign and rightfully gets recognition for her performances throughout the year. Her performances in the Kingdom’s defence have also merited a nomination for the Premier Junior Players’ Player of the Year Award.

Patrice Diggin (Kerry) – Kerry’s dynamic midfielder was one of the standout performers throughout the Premier Junior Championship and she showed consistency in those performances week-on-week. After a scintillating Championship, including a Player of the Match display in the decider, Patrice is also nominated for the Premier Junior Players’ Player of the Year.

Katie McAleese (Antrim) – The Portglenone player is the only player from her county nominated, such was the level of her personal performances this year. The versatile star lined out in the half-forward line in a number of matches however her ability to track back and defend brilliantly has merited her with a nomination in the middle of the park.

Áine McAllister (Derry) – The Ballinascreen athlete is one of three players nominated from the county after some impressive and clinical displays. Her accuracy in front of goal this year was very impressive, while her work rate both on and off the ball also caught the eye.  The dual star is looking to win her first award.

Hannah Scott (Kilkenny) – Kilkenny’s young and dynamic player brought so much energy into the team through her individual work rate both on and off the ball. Her versatility means that she can play wherever she is needed, having lined out at full-back in their Leinster Intermediate Final victory in May. Scott is still only 20 years old – so the best may yet be to come.

Muireann Scally (Westmeath) – The post-primary school teacher was a leader within the Westmeath side this year and her performance in the decider was immense as she helped her county overcome a half-time deficit to walk away with the spoils. Scally ran proceedings in the middle of the pitch for Westmeath and is rightfully recognised with a nomination.

Megan Dowdall (Westmeath) – The Clonkill corner-forward cemented her place in the starting team after impressing week-on-week throughout the summer. Speed, accuracy and consistency are just some of the words that we can use to describe the young All-Ireland champion.

Ava Lynskey (Galway) – Despite falling at the final hurdle, Lynskey was one of Galway’s best performers on All-Ireland Final day, scoring 1-1 of her team’s total. Those performances were consistent throughout for the young student who was also brought into the Senior panel.

Kate Nolan (Kilkenny) – One of only two Kilkenny players nominated, Nolan was in great form for the black and amber outfit this season, not just in Championship but in every competition that she took part in. She was the Player of the Match in their Leinster Intermediate win this year over Carlow and she followed up on that impressive performances with more throughout the Championship.

Rebecca Noonan (Limerick) – Rebecca was a shinning light in Limerick’s team this year, lining out at wing-forward for the All-Ireland Premier Junior finalists. She scored five of Limerick’s nine points in the decider in September and was further merited for her performances with a nomination for the Premier Junior Players’ Player of the Year Award.

Mairéad McCormack (Westmeath) – The All-Ireland Intermediate winning captain for 2019 was excellent this campaign and is deserving of her nomination. The Castletown Geoghegan half-forward showed great leadership throughout the campaign and finished off in style, scoring a goal and lifting the trophy in the Final in September.

Sheila McGrath (Westmeath) – Westmeath’s centre-forward showed leadership beyond her years and took command in numerous matches in the Championship. The student from the St. Munnas Club also got on the scoresheet in the decider to help push her side to victory. At only 19 years of age, the future looks exciting for the Westmeath star.

Gráinne McNicholl (Derry) – The Oak Leaf County have three players nominated and one of those is Derry’s main target player. Gráinne, who plays her club Camogie for Swatragh, is one of the most clinical forward players around and she has once again proven that this year in Championship action. She is a leader within the county team and demonstrates that on a regular basis through her performances.

Pamela Greville (Westmeath) – Very few people could begrudge Greville of a nomination, especially after her 9 point haul in the All-Ireland Final. Her consistency to perform every week was a driving factor in the All-Ireland title heading to Leinster, while Pamela also received recognition from her fellow peers to be nominated for the Intermediate Players’ Player of the Year.

Andrea Loughnane (Tipperary) – Loughnane was in great scoring form in this year’s campaign and her accuracy has merited her with a Soaring Stars nomination. The Thurles Sarsfields player has versatility enabling her to play anywhere within the forward line and her accuracy makes her the dream player to have in any team.

Niamh Mallon (Down) – Niamh is no stranger to being nominated for a Soaring Stars Award, having already picked up four of the coveted trophies. The Down superstar won her first award back in 2011 and her last award came only 12 months ago. She produced another fine season in the black and red outfit and is a real leader within the county set-up.

Sorcha McCartan (Down) – The Castlewellan Club player is one of the youngest players nominated for an award at just 18 years of age. She produced very mature performances in the Championship this year and was a key target player for the Mourne County. The youngster has already a colleges All-Stars award in the bag so she is looking to add a Soaring Stars Award to the trophy cabinet.

Gráinne McGoldrick (Derry) – The Eoghan Rua Club player brought bundles of experience to the county team and once again she was one of the standout players in the Derry set-up. Gráinne is a former All-Stars winner, having won her individual accolade back in 2009. She has captained her county team in the past and continues to play with real leadership in her game.

Clodagh McIntyre (Tipperary) – Tipperary’s young corner-forward was a real danger to defences up and down the country with both her pace and accuracy in front of goal. Playing with the Lorrha club, the 18-year-old has produces consistent performances during this campaign and rightfully earns a Soaring Stars nomination.

Tara Rutledge (Galway) – The Portumna player was on form for the Tribeswomen this campaign and she finished off the season in clinical fashion, scoring two points in the Final in September. The corner-forward is a former All-Stars nominee and a former Galway Minor Player of the Year, proving that she has showed consistency all through her intercounty career.