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Irish News Ulster GAA All-Stars: McCormick scoops Camogie Player of the Year Award

Antrim's Roisin McCormick receives her Camogie Player of the Year Award from international athletics star and former Portaferry camog Ciara Mageean      Picture: Hugh Russell
Antrim's Roisin McCormick receives her Camogie Player of the Year Award from international athletics star and former Portaferry camog Ciara Mageean Picture: Hugh Russell Antrim's Roisin McCormick receives her Camogie Player of the Year Award from international athletics star and former Portaferry camog Ciara Mageean Picture: Hugh Russell

Camogie Player of the Year Award

Antrim’s Roisin McCormick won the Camogie Player of the Year, ensuring the award remained in the Saffron county for another year.

With injury ruling out Maeve Kelly for most of the year, McCormick picked up the scoring mantle from her Antrim team-mate.

She also followed in Kelly’s footsteps in winning this award, with the Ballycastle women taking the 2021 prize.

As well as votes for many of her Antrim team-mates, McCormick also beat off competition from Down forward Niamh Mallon, the 2020 winners, to come out on top.

McCormick has been one of her team’s top scorers with some eye-catching displays in league and championship. 

She was still only minor when she made her senior debut for her county but has now become an integral part of the Antrim team.

She managed to score 3-5 as her team finally clinching the Ulster senior title by defeating Down in the provincial final and her scorers helped propel the Saffrons to the Division Two final and maintain their place in the All-Ireland senior championship.

With Antrim and Down both retaining their senior championship status, this can only lead to greater progress for camogie in Ulster believes McCormick. 

After accepting the award, she paid tribute to her team-mates and highlighted the increasing strength of the game in Ulster.

“I would not be here without my team. They definitely made me into the player I was. They were the ones that helped me excel this year in my performance,” said the Loughgiel woman.

“It’s great to see Ulster camogie excel and hopefully a few more teams are coming into it – the likes of Armagh and our own juniors who won the All-Ireland this year as well. So Ulster camogie is in a very good place and hopefully it just keeps excelling from here.”

This is the first time the Irish News Camogie Player of the Year award has been presented in-person at a large-scale event.

As well as being delighted at her award, McCormick also revealed that seeing former Kerry star Kieran Donaghy on stage, chatting with Paddy Kielty was a highlight of the evening.