Derry’s Aine Barton is the Irish News Camogie Player of the Year after collecting the award at a glittering ceremony at the ICC Belfast on Friday night.
A consistent point scorer from play and the dead ball, the primary school teacher in Magherafelt was at her most dynamic in the first round of the All-Ireland series in Cushendall.
Antrim couldn’t cope with her driving runs and by the end, Derry had avenged their Ulster final defeat a fortnight earlier and were set up to retain their place in the All-Ireland senior championship.
A long serving player for her county, she led by example with several Player of the Match performances over the year.
A captain, a leader and a teacher - a player who embodied the fighting spirit of the Oak Leaf camogs this year,
Following their 2023 All-Ireland intermediate success, which Barton played a key role in, Derry faced a huge task to remain in senior championship this year.
That they did, owes a lot to the Camogie Player of the Year and she will again be a vital cog in their 2025 campaign.