Barrs claim five places in Camogie club team of the year 

The Barrs enjoyed a stellar campaign, claiming a first ever Munster title en route to the final where they missed out the Galway outfit Athenry

LEADER: Sorcha McCartan has been nominated for Camogie player of the year. Pic: Larry Cummins

Leesiders St Finbarr's claimed five places in the Camogie Club Championship Team of the Year on Wednesday, aswell as picking up a player of the year nomination for Sorcha McCartan.

The Barrs lost out to Athenry in the All-Ireland Senior final replay in January, after a thrilling stalemate at Croke Park meant the two sides would have to do it all again in Semple Stadium.

The champions led the way with eight representatives, namely Laura Freeney, Dervla Higgins, Lisa Casserly, Olwen Rabbitte, Sinéad Feeney, Kerri O’Driscoll, Therese Donohue and Clodagh Burke.

The Barrs enjoyed a stellar campaign, claiming a first ever Munster title en route to the final. Their exploits were acknowledged with five spots - Stephanie Punch, Aisling Egan, Keeva McCarthy, Sorcha McCartan and Orlaith Cahalane.

In the semi-final, the Lee-side representatives needed extra-time to overcome Antrim’s Loughgiel Shamrocks who were represented by Amy Boyle and Róisín McCormick.

Meanwhile, Athenry have two nominees for the prestigious Player of the Year award: Lisa Casserly and Therese Donohue.

The third nominee is Barr's and Cork star Sorcha McCartan, who hit an impressive six points in both the final at Croke Park and its replay.

PICK OF THE BUNCH: Finalists Athenry and Barrs claim 13 of the 15 places in the Camogie team of the year. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

This year also marks the first year of the 'Moments of the Championship' award.

The new award recognises unforgettable instances across the LGFA, Camogie, and GAA Club Championships. The nominees for this new award are: 

- Muckalee LGFA, who remarkably triumphed against the odds to win the Leinster Junior Championship, before going on to land the All-Ireland Junior title;

- Katie Rogers of Knockbride LGFA, whose inspiring personal goal 'To Play in Croke Park' from her list of things to do before turning 30 became a reality;

- Ballymacelligot GAA, who demonstrated exceptional sportsmanship by forming a guard of honour for their West Kerry neighbours, An Ghaeltacht, as they ran onto Croke Park ahead of the All-Ireland Intermediate Final.

Team of the Year 

1 L Freeney (Athenry); 2 S Punch (St Finbarr’s), 3 A Egan (St Finbarr’s), 4 D Higgins (Athenry); 5 L Casserly (Athenry), 6 O Rabbitte (Athenry), 7 S Feeney (Athenry); 8 A Boyle (Loughgiel Shamrocks), 9 K McCarthy (St Finbarr’s); 10 S McCartan (St Finbarr’s), 11 K O’Driscoll (Athenry), 12 T Donohue (Athenry); 13 O Cahalane (St Finbarr’s), 14 R McCormick (Loughgiel Shamrocks), 15 C Burke (Athenry).

Player of the Year 

S McCartan (St Finbarr’s), T Donohue (Athenry), L Casserly (Athenry).