Cork dominate camogie All Stars awards

It wasn’t exactly a clean sweep up but Cork managed to pick up the PwC GPA Camogie Senior Player of the Year and PwC Camogie Manager of the Year awards along with 8 spots on the 2024 PwC Camogie All-Stars Team!

Cork’s Laura Hayes was named as the PwC GPA Camogie Senior Player of the Year at the PwC Camogie All-Star Awards in Croke Park on Friday night while Ger Manley was named PwC Camogie Manager of the Year.

In a separate event, on Saturday night, the 2024 TG4 Ladies Football All-Star team was revealed at the annual TG4 All-Star awards banquet in association with Lidl, at the Bonnington Dublin Hotel. It featured Cork’s Katie Quirke at full-forward. Cork progressed to the TG4 All-Ireland semi-finals this year.

Cork’s 2024 PwC Camogie All Star winners are: Amy Lee – goalkeeper, Pamela Mackey – corner back, Laura Hayes – wing/half back, Laura Treacy – centre back, Ashling Thompson – midfield, Saoirse McCarthy – wing/half forward, Katrina Mackey - full forward and Amy O’Connor – corner forward.

Ger Manley was named PwC Camogie Manager of the Year, recognising his outstanding leadership and achievements with the Cork camogie team. Having been appointed in November 2023, he lead the Cork senior team to a three-point win against Galway in the final, making it their 30th All-Ireland senior camogie title, and their second in a row following their 2023 success under Matthew Twomey.

Half-back Lauren Hayes was rewarded for her outstanding displays all year in the heart of the formidable Cork defence. She wins the award a year later after her teammate Amy O’Connor took the award.

Cork also had six players named on the 2024 PwC Camogie Soaring Stars, made up of the best players of the year from Premier Junior and Intermediate Championships.

It is compiled by a dedicated All-Star Nomination Committee, to celebrate the high performance and commitment of these extraordinary players.

The Cork players on the Soaring Stars Team were: Emma Flanagan – corner back, Niamh O’Leary – full back, Aoife Barrett – corner back, Tara McCarthy – midfield, Cliona O’Callaghan – wing/half forward, Lauren Homan – centre forward.

Brian Molloy, Uachtarán of the Camogie Association, said: “The level of talent and dedication in camogie is truly outstanding, and these awards are a tribute to the tremendous effort put in year-round. Huge sacrifices are made by each and every one of our players day in day out.

“I wish to thank our sponsors, PwC for their support. This event wouldn’t be possible without their partnership and sponsorship of the All Stars, so thank you for continuing to stand behind our elite camogie players.

“Camogie is at the heart of our communities, and this year, as we mark our 120th anniversary, we have seen that connection celebrated right around the country. Clubs everywhere have commemorated this milestone in a myriad of ways, and we are very grateful for the ongoing commitment of our volunteers and players to the promotion and development of camogie at all levels.”

Enda McDonagh, Managing Partner, PwC, said: “On behalf of everyone at PwC, I extend our heartfelt congratulations to all the winners of the 2024 PwC Camogie All-Stars, PwC Camogie Soaring Stars, Manager of the Year, and the PwC GPA Camogie Player of the Year Awards.

“These athletes have demonstrated exceptional performances at the highest level throughout the season. Their unwavering commitment to their teams and their pursuit of excellence see them as deserving winners of these awards.”