ULSTER is celebrating three Allstar gongs from the 2015 TG4 Ladies’ Allstar Awards held at a star-studded gala banquet in Dublin’s Citywest Hotel on Saturday night.
There were first-time awards for Armagh’s young teenage sensation Aimee Mackin and for Monaghan’s long-serving goalkeeper Linda Martin, while the latter’s club and county team-mate Cora Courtney adds Allstar number three to the mantelpiece to add to the other two from the previous two years.
It was a night to remember for Cork star Briege Corkery, who as well as picking up her ninth Allstar award, was also named the Players’ Player of the Year for a second time, while Mayo stalwart Cora Staunton entered the history books alongside Kerry great Mary Jo Curran with a 10th award.
There was disappointment for the Ulster champions Donegal who did not pick up any awards from their three nominations, with Geraldine McLaughlin surprisingly omitted.
Courtney, who was named at number 10, said she never expected her name to be called out, especially considering the other contenders for the half-forward line.
“I was shocked and very surprised to win this Allstar,” said Courtney, who will play for Donaghmoyne this weekend in an All-Ireland Senior Club Championship semi-final against Dublin and Leinster champions Foxrock Cabinteely.
“When Linda’s name was called out we were saying there is no chance that I am getting it now. With the people who were nominated on my line I never imagined that my name would be called out.
‘‘For the second year in-a-row Monaghan haven’t won a trophy or got past the quarter-final stages so I was amazed that this happened again.
‘‘Winning one Allstar was a great achievement for me but to go on and win three in-a-row is something I thought would never happen.”
Courtney also revealed her delight for team-mate Linda Martin, feeling that in previous years she had been overlooked for the award.
“I am delighted for Linda. To us she is one of the best. There were years when she should have got the Allstar and we felt she was overlooked so for her to finally get her hands on one is great for her.’’
Martin, who has been playing for her club and county for over 11 years, described it as a “huge honour”.
“I am absolutely delighted to receive my first Allstar; it is a huge honour for me after playing football for my club and county for over 11 years,” she said.
“It’s a privilege to be nominated but I play football because I love it and ultimately my goal each year is to win an All-Ireland, an Allstar nomination is a lovely bonus.’’
Armagh’s Aimee Mackin certainly made her mark on the inter-county scene this year and deservedly picked up the last award of the evening for the left corner-forward position.
”I don’t think it has yet sunk in and probably won’t for a while,” said the 18-year-old.
“Of course I’m delighted but all credit has to go to my team-mates and managers this year with Armagh seniors and minors and my club managers and team-mates over the years. They have helped me a lot to improve and especially this year.
“Even to be nominated I was delighted and I wasn’t expecting anything more, the competition for places was close and numerous players could have been selected.”
All-Ireland champions, Cork, were the big winners on the night with six representatives.
Nineteen-year-old Marie Ambrose earned her first award along with multiple winners Geraldine O’Flynn, Vera Foley, Rena Buckley and Valerie Mulcahy.
Corkery, who received her first Allstar in 2005, became the first player to receive the Player’s Player of the Year accolade twice, adding the 2015 award to her 2012 one. She also received a Camogie Allstar along with Buckley last weekend.
Beaten All-Ireland finalists Dublin were also well represented with four winners – Sinead Finnegan and four-time Allstar Sinead Goldrick in the half-back line, Carla Rowe earning her first award at wing forward and captain Lyndsey Davey claiming her third at full-forward.
Waterford’s brilliant young forward Aileen Wall was selected as the Intermediate Player’s Player of the Year, whilst Louth’s goal machine Kate Flood was selected as the 2015 Junior Player’s Player of the Year on a night when Cavan’s Abby Brady entered the LGFA Hall of Fame.
