Champions Cork dominate camogie all-stars

Last night's 2005 Camogie All-Star awards, in association with O'Neills, were dominated by All-Ireland champions Cork.

The Gala banquet at Dublin's Citywest Hotel saw the Rebelettes bag six gongs in total. Gemma O'Connor and Jennifer O'Leary both added to their 2004 All-Stars, while four other Cork players were honoured for the first time - Anna Geary, Rachel Moloney and Emer Dillon, as well as Mary O'Connor, who collected an All-Ireland medal with the county's lady footballers in September.

Midfielder Gemma O'Connor, at just 20, was last week named as the Vodafone Camogie Player of the Year.

Capping a memorable campaign, John Cronin was confirmed as Manager of the Year having guided Cork to their 21st title.

Elsewhere, beaten All-Ireland finalists Tipperary scooped four awards, Galway two and Catherine O'Loughlin gained an All-Star at full-back for Wexford.

History was also created as both Dublin and Clare, the All-Ireland junior finalists, won All-Star awards for the first time. Ciara Lucey, instrumental in Dublin's title win, was honoured at midfield, while Clare's Catherine O'Loughlin was a winner at full-forward.

There was success too for Armagh as Colette McSorley was named as Young Player of the Year.

2005 All-Star team: Jovita Delaney (Tipperary); Sinéad Cahalan (Galway), Catherine O'Loughlin (Wexford), Julie Kirwan (Tipperary); Anna Geary (Cork), Mary O'Connor (Cork), Therese Maher (Galway); Gemma O'Connor (Cork), Ciara Lucey (Dublin); Jennifer O'Leary (Cork), Rachel Moloney (Cork), Claire Grogan (Tipperary); Eimear McDonnell (Tipperary), Catherine O'Loughlin (Clare), Emer Dillon (Cork).

Young Player of the Year: Colette McSorley (Armagh).

Manager of the Year: John Cronin (Cork).