Cork Ladies get five All-Stars

CORK
LADIES GET FIVE ALL-STARS

Corks
biggest ever All-Star haul sensationally materialised
in the City West Hotel, Dublin on Saturday night. Over
900 guests attended the glitziest night of ladies football
for TG4/O’Neill’s All-Star awards which All-Ireland finalists
Cork and Galway dominated with five recipients each.
The honours for the Rebels’ going to: Angela Walsh (full
back), Briege Corkery (right half back), captain Juliet
Murphy (midfield), Deirdre O’Reilly (centre forward) and
Valerie Mulcahy (right corner forward). All of whom were
presented by guest of honour Bertie Ahern.
Apart from Mulcahy who received an All-Star last year,
it was a first for the remaining four with Briege Corkery,
Deirdre O’Reilly and Angela Walsh holding the honour of
being the first All-Stars in their clubs. In all there
were 45 nominations with ten for the Cork contingent (Elaine
Harte and Valerie Mulcahy, Rockbán; sisters Angela Walsh
and Ciara Walsh, Inch Rovers; Rena Buckley and Juliet
Murphy, Donoughmore; Briege Corkery, St Vals; Norita Kelly
and Deirdre O’Reilly, Rockchapel and Amanda Murphy, Beara).
You would have put your house on dual star Briege Corkery
but she herself was in total disbelief at the announcement.
“It’s savage. I couldn’t believe it when my name was called
out. I think a few swear words went through my head to
be honest. I spent an hour shaking in shock afterwards”.
Playing her football with St Val’s, Corkery is quick to
pass praise. “It’s great for the club. The support they
gave me was mighty all through the years and I’m delighted
to represent them. I can’t thank them enough for all their
support and without them I wouldn’t have got this opportunity”.
It was also a first for her camogie campanion, Angela
Walsh whose younger sister Ciara (17) was also in the
running.
“I can’t put words on how I feel. It’s been a fantastic
year and this is the icing on the cake. “I’m so proud
to be representing Inch Rovers and of course with two
nominees it’s a huge achievement for an up and coming
club with huge talent. Hopefully it’s going to be the
first of many for Inch”. Cumann Peil na mBán president
Geraldine Giles announced last night that all the 2004
and 2005 recipients would be travelling to Singapore in
March and Walsh is already looking forward to it. Marty
Morrissey compared for the evening to perfection and with
numerous plasma screens showing highlights of the year
and five stages placed around the venue, the atmosphere
was electric. There were a number of acts throughout the
evening, including The Saw Doctors, Chris Doran and Tommy
Fleming who specially dedicated the song ‘Something inside
so strong’ to the Cork team. A moment which captain Juliet
Murphy will never forget.
“When Tommy Fleming sang that for the Cork girls it was
very special and something I’ll never forget. “The feeling
is surreal but its a nice way to end the year. It’s nerve
racking when the announcements are being made but I’m
very proud of all the girls – they’re a credit to their
county”. Beara’s Amanda Murphy (16) had the honour of
being one of two players nominated for both an All-Star
and provincial young player of the year, along with Dublin’s
Lyndsy Davey. Being involved with fantastic teams at club
and county level has enabled me to achieve this award
and it’s a great honour to accept. I must say a special
thanks to all my trainers and managers I’ve been involved
with other the years”.
According to sports editor for TG4 Ronán Ni Cois “next
year will be the biggest year yet for ladies football
as we’ll be covering a total of 12 games bein compared
to five this season. “These include the senior and junior
All-Ireland finals, the senior and junior semi-finals,
the senior quarter finals, the division 1 national league
final and the division 2 national league final”.

All-Star Team 2006: U Carroll, R Stephens (Galway), A
Walsh (Cork), L Tector (Wexford), B Corkery (Cork), A
Daly (Galway), G Fay (Dublin), C Egan (Mayo), J Murphy
(Cork), G Doherty (Meath), D O’Reilly (Cork), L Davey
(Dublin), V Mulcahy (Cork), N Fahy, L Joyce (Galway).

Munster
Player of the Year: Amanda Murphy (Cork) Ulster Player
of the Year: Sarah Connelly (Tyrone) Leinster Player of
the Year: Lyndsy Davey (Dublin) Connacht Player of the
Year: Claire Shanagher (Roscommon)

Hall
of Fame:
Mary Wheatley (Laois)

FIXTURES:
Sunday 27 November AIB Senior All-Ireland Club Final:
Ballybodens/St Endas (Dublin) V Donaghmoyne (Monaghan),
Drogheda, 2pm.