O’Connor seals sixth All Star

CORK’S Gemma O’Connor collected her sixth successive All Star as the All-Ireland champions, and defeated finalists Kilkenny, dominated the camogie awards ceremony at the Citywest Hotel on Saturday night.

The Rebels garnered six awards, one more than the Leinster girls with Galway (three) and Derry (one) completing the selection.

O’Connor was unable to attend the gala event as she is on army duty in Chad and the statuette was collected by her mother Geraldine. Goalkeeper Aoife Murray, full back Catriona Foley, centre back Mary O’Connor, midfielder Briege Corkery as well as top scorer in the championship Rachel Moloney all collected their third awards.

Kilkenny quartet Jacqui Frisby, Elaine Aylward, Anne Dalton and Katie Power all received their first All Stars while team mate Aoife Neary doubled her collections.

Beaten semi-finalists Galway received three awards: Therese Maher, Regina Glynn and Anne Marie Hayes while Gráinne McGoldrick was a first time winner for Derry.

Denise Cronin was named the O’Neill’s manager of the year following back-to-back All-Irelands with Cork. The former Glen Rovers and County star led the Rebels to their eighth successive final appearance in 10 years, and to their 24th title overall – just two behind titleholders Dublin

The O’Neill’s young player of the year award went to Kilkenny’s Denise Gaule.

Joan O’Flynn, President of the Camogie Association said, “The All Stars recognise the individual excellence and leadership of the leading camogie players this season. The awards are a treasured keepsake as they signify the achievement of playing camogie to the highest standards. This recognition is now also extended to players from the Junior All-Ireland series through the inaugural Soaring Star Awards. In a season when 13 different counties won National League and All-Ireland championship titles, the 2009 All Star and Soaring Star winners claim their rightful place as wonderful exponents of all that’s best in camogie”.