Clarke, O'Dwyer honoured

ANNETTE Clarke ended an historic season for the Galway ladies' footballers by picking up the Vodafone Player of the Year award in Dublin yesterday.

From the Kilkerrin-Clonberne club, Clarke is the first Galway woman to collect the award, yet another sign that the balance of power is gradually shifting away from its traditional base in Mayo.

Having helped to bring junior All-Ireland and national league titles to Galway in 2002, Clarke steered her side to its first senior All-Ireland last month, over a campaign where they saw off champions Mayo three times before beating Dublin in the final.