INTERNATIONAL golfer Beth Coulter added to her ever-growing list of sporting achievements yesterday when she was named in the Ulster Schools’ All-Star camogie team for 2021-22.
Despite there being no awards scheme last year due to Covid, this was the Ballygalget teenager’s second All-Star, something she shares with club-mate Tara Monan, the only players to bridge the gap to the last awards handed out two years ago.
The pair are students in Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s, Knock who also had a third Ballygalget club player Ciara Fitzsimons recognised for the first time.
Elsewhere, seven of the Antrim team that won the All-Ireland Minor B title in September have caught the eye of the selectors, including four from Cross and Passion, Ballycastle. These include minor captain Fionnuala Kelly, whose older sister and senior star Maeve collected two awards while a student in the school.
Another player who matches an older sister with an award is Orlagh Laverty. Ciara Laverty was in the last team two years ago, as was Caoimhe Molloy, whose sister Katie makes the team this season. Molloy is a student in St Louis', Ballymena who also have goalie Orlagh Convery in the selection.
The second goalie is also from the same county; Orla Donnelly starred for Antrim in both All-Ireland minor finals, the drawn game and then the replay.
Donnelly is a student in St Killian’s, Garron Tower, as is midfielder Síne Woodhouse while another of the Antrim minors, Evanne Martin, is one of three representatives from St Patrick’s, Maghera, the others being Doireann Donnelly and Aimee Lennon.
Three more Derry players have made the cut, Cliohdna Hickson and Shannon Scullion, both students in St Colm’s Draperstown, and Rachel Keenan from St Mary’s, Magherafelt.
There is a very first award for Dean Mag Uirc College in Carrickmore, a recent addition to Ulster schools’ camogie competitions. Aoibhin Daly is the history maker with the Tyrone school.
Katie Comiskey, a student in St Patrick’s Academy, also picks up an award. She, however, is technically an Armagh player, as her club is An Port Mór.
Breifne College Cavan have two player in the selection and that doubles the number of awards the school has collected in recent years.
Cara Reilly will be in action next week with her club Crosserlough in the Ulster Junior championship, as will Sinéad Levingston when Laragh take to the provincial stage for the first time in the new year.
Orlaith McCusker from Sacred Heart in Newry will also be in Ulster club action next weekend when Clonduff defend their intermediate title against Eglish.
The Ulster All-Stars normally represent the province in the schools’ inter-provincial competition, but that is unlikely to take place this year.
However, Ulster Schools Council still hopes to organise the Gala Dinner early in 2022 at which the 24 players will officially receive their awards and provincial jersey.
Ulster Schools’ Camogie All-Stars 2021-22
Orlagh Laverty, Fionnuala Kelly, Nuala Devlin, Cassie McArthur (Cross and Passion, Ballycastle)
Tara Monan, Ciara Fitzsimons, Beth Coulter (Our Lady’s & St Patrick’s Knock)
Doireann Donnelly, Aimee Lennon, Evanne Martin (St Patrick’s, Maghera)
Orla Donnelly, Síne Woodhouse (St Killian’s, Garron Tower)
Orlagh Convery, Katie Molloy (St Louis, Ballymena)
Cliodhna Hickson, Shannon Scullion (St Colm’s Draperstown)
Cara Reilly, Sinéad Livingston (Breifne College Cavan)
Tierna Savage (St Mark’s Warrenpoint)
Lucy O'Kane (Loreto Coleraine)
Orlaith McCusker (Sacred Heart Newry)
Aoibhin Daly (Dean Mag Uirc College Carrickmore)
Katie Comiskey (St Patrick’s Academy Dungannon)
Rachel Keenan (St Mary’s Magherafelt)
