Derry's Aine McAllister wins All-Ireland Intermediate Player of the Year as Carton takes top award

2023 PwC Camogie All-Star Awards

ÁINE McAllister became the third Ulster player in four seasons to collect the PwC GPA Intermediate Player of the Year at the Camogie All-star Awards Gala Dinner on Saturday evening in Croke Park. 

The Derry forward follows on from Down’s Niamh Mallon (2020) and Maeve Kelly (2021) in picking up the award for the top player in the Glen Dimplex All-Ireland Intermediate championship.

The Magherafelt-based primary school teacher was nominated alongside her Derry co-captain Aoife Ní Chaiside and Meath midfielder Aoife Minogue.

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All three had a number of outstanding performances throughout the championship, including in the final at Croke Park that ended in a draw. Derry excelled in the replay in Clones when McAllister got to lift the Jack McGrath Cup alongside Ní Chaiside.

There was no surprise in the PwC Senior Player of the Year award going to Beth Carton, whose scoring feats took Waterford to their first All-Ireland final since 1945.

The Déise forward ended up on the losing team in the final, but her peers voted overwhelmingly for Carton to received the top award.

She, along with two other Waterford players, Vikki Falconer and Lorraine Bray, picked up Allstar awards on a team that, unsurprisingly, is dominated by Cork players.

No fewer than eight from the All-Ireland winning side made it into the team, including captain Amy O’Connor and two other forwards, Hannah Looney and Katrina Mackey.

Senior semi-finalists Tipperary claimed two awards through Karen Kennedy and Cáit Devane while the other two positions on the team went to Galway’s Róisín Black in defence and outstanding Kilkenny captain Denise Gaule at half-forward.

The 2023 PwC Camogie Manager of the Year recipient was Cork’s Matthew Twomey, who has since stepped down from the Cork hot-seat.

The 2023 PwC Camogie Soaring Stars team had been announced a month ago and they also picked up their awards at the ceremony.  Eight Derry players collected their awards, Meath won four, Clare claimed two and the last one went to Tipperary. 

Speaking at the PwC Camogie All-Stars, Camogie Association Uachtarán Hilda Breslin said: “2023 has been an extraordinary year, and we are delighted to pay tribute to the outstanding achievements and exceptional talent of our players. Huge congratulations to all our nominees and winners who have demonstrated unparalleled commitment and immense contribution to our wonderful sport. 

“We proudly celebrated a record-breaking year for camogie, with over 30,000 ardent supporters in attendance at our All-Ireland Championship Finals in Croke Park.  This milestone further amplifies the recognition our talented players deserve.

“I extend my heartfelt appreciation to our esteemed sponsors, PwC, for their steadfast commitment to the awards and for hosting a truly spectacular celebration in honour of our remarkable players.” 

Enda McDonagh, Managing Partner, PwC, said:  "On behalf of everyone at PwC, huge congratulations to all the winners of the 2023 PwC Camogie All-Stars, PwC Camogie Soaring Stars, Manager of the Year and the PwC GPA Camogie Player of the Year Awards.      

“They are all deserving winners after incredible performances at the highest level throughout the season. Commitment to their teams and to standards of high performance means they are truly an inspiration to younger generations hoping to follow in their footsteps.”

Tom Parsons, GPA CEO, added:  “These awards are the pinnacle in individual excellence in the game and each of the winners should be extremely proud of their well-earned recognition.  While the league and championship are all about the collective, tonight is about what you did individually to make a positive impact for the team overall.  You have stood out amongst your peers and for that I want to say a massive congratulations.

“I want to pay a special tribute to Beth, Áine and Ellen, our three Player of the Year Award winners.  Your fellow players have voted for you as being the best of the best in 2023.  Your names will now be recorded forever alongside some of the greats of camogie and long after you are finished playing, you will always be remembered for your performances this year.  You’ve earned a place in history. 

“My thanks to the Camogie Association for organising this event in recognition of the top players in the inter-county game.  A special word of thanks too to PwC.  They have long been a friend to inter-county players and have led the way when it comes to supporting female inter-county athletes.  Long may that continue.”

2023 PwC Soaring Star Winners: Niamh Gribbin (Derry); Niamh Quinn (Derry); Claire Coffey (Meath); Sophia Payne (Meath); Lauren McKenna (Derry); Aoife Ní Chaiside (Derry); Ellen Casey (Clare); Dervla O’Kane (Derry); Aoife Minogue (Meath); Mairead McNicholl (Derry); Aine McAllister (Derry); Amy Gaffney (Meath); Aoife Shaw (Derry); Caoimhe Cahill (Clare); Jean Kelly (Tipperary)

2023 PwC All-Star Winners: Amy Lee (Cork); Vikki Falconer (Waterford); Libby Coppinger (Cork); Róisín Black (Galway); Karen Kennedy (Tipperary); Laura Treacy (Cork); Meabh Cahalane (Cork); Saoirse McCarthy (Cork); Lorraine Bray (Waterford); Hannah Looney (Cork); Beth Carton (Waterford); Denise Gaule (Kilkenny); Amy O’Connor (Cork); Katrina Mackey (Cork); Cáit Devane (Tipperary)

2023 PwC GPA Camogie Players of the Year Winners:

Senior: Beth Carton (Waterford) 

Intermediate: Aine McAllister (Derry)

Premier Junior: Ellen Casey (Clare)

2023 PwC Camogie Manager of the Year

Matthew Twomey (Cork)