IN a year like no other, our gaelic games players answered the call.
In daunting and scary times, club and county footballers, male and female, hurlers and camogs provided a chink of light in what has been a mostly dark winter.
When the global Covid-19 pandemic took hold, the prospect of counties competing for 2020 Ulster and All-Ireland Championship honours seemed remote.
But, when the green light was given, county teams put their shoulders to the wheel and despite a lack of real preparation time, produced some incredible action for those watching on TV and online.
From today, you can vote for your 2020 Irish News Ulster All-Stars, and in recognition of this incredible year, a team from each code will be selected for the first time ever.
The challenge was put to teams to provide fans with games in these strange times, and they went above and beyond.
Who will ever forget Cavan’s shock Anglo Celt triumph or the joy Fermanagh ladies brought when winning the All-Ireland Junior title or Armagh ladies on their way to the All-Ireland semi-final?
What about the Down’s Camogie Intermediate success or Antrim’s amazing Joe McDonagh victory?
It was certainly a season like no other and online today and over the coming days in The Irish News we reveal our shortlists for the four respective teams.
Not only will readers be able to pick their team from the four shortlists, but they will also have the option to nominate suggestions of their own if they feel our panel of experts have missed out on someone who should be in the mix.
Ulster GAA President Oliver Galligan has called on all supporters to cast their votes for all teams.
“In a very difficult year for all communities, we were delighted that our Championship games were able to be played in a safe manner at the end of the season,'' he said.
“It is great that the talent and commitment of the players who brought us those games, across all codes, can still be recognised with this virtual online edition of the Irish News Ulster All-Stars.
''I would encourage all GAA supporters across the province to get involved and submit their votes.”
Irish News editor Noel Doran said: ''The GAA has played an exceptional role over the last year and it is entirely appropriate that, for the first time, we are providing readers with the opportunity to select the outstanding performers across all four codes in Ulster.
''This is a unique initiative and I'm confident it is going to receive a strong response.''
Ulster Camogie and the Ulster Ladies Associations have welcomed the fact that female stars will have full teams selected for the first time in Irish News All-Star history.
“Ulster Camogie is delighted to be part of the Irish News Ulster All-Stars 2020,” said Kathryn Bradley, Ulster Camogie treasurer and children’s officer.
“This has been a challenging season for all sports and therefore all the more remarkable for camogie to have four Ulster teams in national finals.
“We welcome this opportunity to recognise the hard work, dedication and commitment of our players and of course eagerly look forward to January when we discover who has made the All-Star team.
“We would like to thank the Irish News for the coverage of our games which they provided during 2020 enabling a wider audience to engage with our sport and hope this will continue.”
It was a sentiment shared by Ulster Ladies.
“Ulster Ladies are delighted with this new and exciting initiative by The Irish News to recognise and reward the best ladies footballers in Ulster,” said Eileen Jones, Ulster Ladies Football president.
“We see this as a reflection and recognition of the high quality and standard of football produced by the lady footballers of Ulster.”
Irish News sports editor Thomas Hawkins added: ''It’s been a very difficult year for so many people on so many fronts, coping with all that’s been thrown at us, coping and trying to stay safe in a very unreal world.
‘’We all long for better times ahead and hopefully, please God, 2021 will see that happen.
‘’Sport has been one thing that has helped lift spirits in 2020, lightened the gloom. There have been some thrilling and inspirational performances.
‘’I’m delighted to be able to highlight some of those great performances across all four codes in Gaelic games, with the launch of The Irish News Ulster All-Stars initiative.
''I'm sure it will be draw a huge voting response from our readers.’’
Irish News Marketing Manager John Brolly added: “It really is a year to celebrate the fantastic players we have in all codes – camogie, hurling, ladies and men's football.
''All players need acknowledged for stepping up to the challenge of providing fans with games to help uplift us in these uncertain times and we are delighted to acknowledge every code for the first time ever.”
Voters will be entered into a draw for a 2020 All-Star jersey and an O’Neill’s gift card to the value of £100. There will also be three runner-up prizes of an Irish News Ulster All-Star jersey.
VOTE for YOUR Football, Camogie, and Hurling All-Stars by post or online at www.irishnews.com/allstars
